Written by: Tom Amello and The Wizard Facts! The Associated Press reported a 13% increase in Derby viewership from 14.8 million in …
- Post Date: 09 May, 2024
Written by: Tom Amello and The Wizard Facts! The Associated Press reported a 13% increase in Derby viewership from 14.8 million in …
Written by: Tom Amello and The Wizard “It’s a fact, Jack.” Thoroughbred racing faces an existential challenge from legalized Sports Betting. Think …
Michael Kipness, AKA “The Wizard”, a professional handicapper since 1986, analyzes the 20-horse field for Saturday’s 150th Kentucky Derby, designating each horse as a Contender or a Pretender.
The 150th Kentucky Derby will be run May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs. Every year this race draws the interest and attention of millions of casual racing fans. Why? Because only the winner has a chance to earn the coveted Triple Crown. The race asks three-year-old colts and geldings to travel a 10-furlong distance of ground while racing in and among the largest field each will ever face. But beyond these two aforementioned factors, the Kentucky Derby is just another Thoroughbred race. And every edition of the Kentucky Derby should be handicapped in the same way one would handicap every or any other Thoroughbred race. Let’s examine this 150th Kentucky Derby and focus on handicapping this race in the same way as any other race from the perspective of Field Size, Pace and Race Dynamics, Speed, Gears and Wagering.
ARCANGELO Saved ground from the start while tugging hard on the reigns in the early going.
NATIONAL TREASURE was the dominant speed from his inside post
MAGE made a sustained run from the ¼ pole to the finish line showing several gears under a brilliant and perfectly timed ride by Javier Castellano.
A stirring 3-horse stretch battle resulted in a blanket finish
TAPIT TRICE won the Grade 1 Bluegrass fair and square as the 6-5 favorite.