Massachusetts bettors are gearing up for the upcoming 2025 Kentucky Derby, which is just around the corner.
Despite the presence of legal US sportsbooks in Massachusetts, the Kentucky Derby remains a significant occasion for horse betting in the state.
If it’s been a while since you last placed a bet on a horse race, don’t worry. Our very own writer and Massachusetts native, Jack Flaherty, is here to provide you with all the information you need to get back in the game.
Kentucky Derby 2025 race preview
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. NBC will start its coverage at 2:30 p.m. ET, with the race commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Massachusetts bettors are expected to show significant interest in the Derby, with numerous betting choices accessible.
There are multiple options available for bettors to engage in horse racing. They can choose to register with TVG or FanDuel Racing Massachusetts online platforms. Alternatively, they also have the option to place bets in person at any of the three horse racing simulcast facilities: Suffolk Downs, Raynham Park, or Plainridge Park Casino.
There are 20 entries in the field, and an estimated 160,000 horse racing enthusiasts are expected to attend.
In order to secure a spot at the post, the Kentucky Derby demands that participants prove their worth. Horses are required to earn qualification points by competing in several Derby Prep races. This ensures fairness in the selection process.
The Derby distance covers 10 furlongs or a mile and a quarter, a length that no 3-year-old has ever covered before. Considering the significance of the Prep season, it is evident that only the finest contenders have entered the race.
Kentucky Derby basic bets
Horse race betting options encompass straight bets, which consist of win, place, and show wagers, as well as exotic bets, which involve two or more finishing positions. Below is a breakdown of these betting options in horse racing.
The Win Bet is the ultimate wager, paying out only for first place.
This bet, known as the “Place Bet,” pays out if the horse finishes in either first or second place. It is a wager I enjoy, but it is not advisable to use it on the favorites.
Place Bet: Finish in third place or higher. If you have confidence in a horse, place a bet on it to finish first or second. By choosing to show, you are joining a betting pool that includes both inexperienced and unrefined individuals. Various creatures engage in chaotic activities within the show pool.
Exacta Bet: Choose the first and second horses in the precise sequence.
In an Exacta Box, select the top two finishers in any sequence.
Trifectas and Tri Boxes are similar to Exactas, but they involve selecting the top three horses instead.
Superfectas: Get ready to have a blast with the top four finishers out of 20 horses.
Double Down: Choose the victorious horse in two back-to-back races.
Choose the Champions: Select the victorious horse in five or six consecutive races.
My basic betting philosophy: Focus on trainers
To gain insight into my Derby selection next week, let me clarify: I prioritize trainers over jockeys, although opinions may vary.
To me, the jocks at this elite level are highly skilled and proficient in handling the stick. However, my attention is piqued only when an inexperienced young jockey enters the scene, as I am aware that the seasoned riders can be ruthless and tend to unite against newcomers for sheer amusement.
In my opinion, Brad Cox is the leading trainer in the industry, and I have had a successful and profitable pre-season working with him. It has been a while since I had a preferred trainer, ever since Saint Nicholas P. Zito retired without much fanfare. Therefore, it is worth mentioning that I have a strong inclination towards Brad Cox’s horses.
I have a strong aversion towards convicted cheaters, particularly in the case of Steve Asmussen and Bob Baffert, who have both been found guilty of using drugs to enhance their horses’ performance. This issue is deeply troubling, unjust, and unacceptable within the realm of horse racing, and for me, there is no expiration date on my disapproval. I will never forgive or support them, so please remember this when you review my selections next week.
How does parimutuel betting work for the Kentucky Derby?
Prior to approximately 1875, horse track wagering operated under the system of “fixed betting.” Patrons would roam the track, engaging with betting agents, some of whom displayed odds while others did not. The objective was to secure the most favorable odds for one’s wager. However, this endeavor proved challenging, as it was evident that the seller was exploiting customers by offering unfavorable odds.
Next, an intelligent American emerged and introduced a fresh wagering system known as “pari-mutuel” or “bet together” in French.
Once all wagers are collected, they are allocated into their respective pools, which can be either mutual or group pools. The odds are subsequently determined by considering both the specific horse and the amount of money wagered on it.
The caretaker of the betting pools, known as the seller or host track, is solely responsible for their management. The track holds no preference for the race winners; rather, it focuses on earning a percentage from the pools, which is then distributed among the winners.
A word of caution to new horse bettors
The vast majority of people at a race track are unaware of certain valuable betting information.
Just like in the case of legal sports betting, the betting pool is divided between the house and the participants. This portion claimed by the house is commonly referred to as vigorish or “vig.” For instance, here is the percentage that New York’s Aqueduct racetrack takes as an illustration. Additionally, it’s important to note that the host must share this portion with its affiliates across the country.
Win-Place-Show: 16%
The Exacta and Daily Double have a win rate of 18%.
Trifecta and Superfecta: 24%
24% chance of winning Pick 5 and Pick 6.
It is evident that this is another reason why I favor straight bets and exactas. With handicapping expertise and a considerable amount of inexperienced bettors, a 16% commission allows for a decent opportunity to make money. However, the 24% charge on more improbable exotic bets does not offer the same advantage.
My Massachusetts horse racing roots
Papa, my grandfather from Somerville near Boston, made it a habit to visit the race track almost daily during the live meets. Being a butcher at the local supermarket, he had the advantage of working an early shift that left him with ample free time in the afternoons. Fueled by his determination, he would board the public bus to Suffolk Downs and carefully analyze the horses to predict potential winners for the day.
The outcome of his victory or defeat remained a mystery to all. It was not a taboo topic, but rather a topic that led to no resolution.
During racing season on weekends, whenever my family visited, we were aware that Papa would not return until at least 30 minutes after the last race. Nana, my grandmother, comprehended this, and maybe I did too. When I was around ten years old, I mustered up the courage to ask Papa if I could accompany him to the track. He stared at me as if I had sprouted two heads and angrily declared that “children have no place there.”
During the days of Suffolk Downs, the majority of attendees were somber individuals. They were men of the Great Depression era, who handled quarters as if they were heavy man-hole covers. Rarely did they crack a smile, and their demeanor could even be perceived as menacing. Playful bets such as birthday trifectas or anniversary exactas were unheard of, as there was no room for whimsical antics. These men placed their wagers as if their Sunday Church donations were at stake, never wasting a dime on a frivolous track program.
Utilizing their recollections and engaging in conversations with their fellow competitors, they employed a systematic analysis of the competition, the field, and the prevailing track conditions. Upon emerging victorious, they savored a fleeting but comforting sense of accomplishment, knowing that for that particular day and moment, they had triumphed over the challenges posed by the track.
FanDuel Racing, a leading choice for Kentucky Derby betting, is now available in Massachusetts.
If you or someone dear to you is dealing with gambling difficulties, feel free to reach out to a trained specialist at 1-800-327-5050 or visit www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling. Assistance is available around the clock and completely free of charge.
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