Mike Battaglia carries many titles when it comes to horses and racing in Kentucky. A waging aficionado may be his most appropriate one.
Placing bets on hundreds of races throughout the year, the 35-year veteran of horse racing is an announcer for Turfway Park, on-air analysis for NBC, morning line maker, TV host and back up announcer for Churchill Downs, as well as a handicapper for several media outlets throughout Kentucky. He knows his stuff.
Battaglia, who will place his bets the day of the Derby, said with the big race still more than a week away he is leaning toward Pioneer of the Nile, Quality Road, and I Want Revenge, in the 135th Kentucky Derby, but not necessarily in that order.
“I liked the way all three of these horses ran in their final Derby preps,” he said of his choices.
If you’re not a seasoned gambler or perhaps you're only a novice when comes to stepping up to the betting window at the track, then Battaglia has a few tips for this year's Derby.
Battaglia suggests that beginners go to the beginners window at Churchill Downs or wherever you place your bet. He said most tracks will have beginners windows.
“They also have easy betting guides readily available with step-by-step directions on how to bet.”
Besides the help, beginners’ windows at the track work out best for beginners for another reason, Battaglia said. Most regular gamblers wait until the last few minutes to bet and that could spell problems for beginners.
“If someone is holding up the line when the horses are nearing the gate they will probably get an earful from the people behind them,” he said.
Odds, Battaglia said, are simply a reflection of how much a certain horse will pay if he wins. If you bet $2 on a horse that goes off at 2-1 and wins, then the horse would pay $6. In other words, you would get your $2 back plus a $4 profit.
There are several types of bets such as exactas and trifectas.
Exacta--pick the horses that finish first and second
Trifecta--pick the horses that finish first, second and third
Superfecta--the first four finishers
Daily double--the winners of two races in a row
Pick 3--the winners of three races in a row
Pick 4--the winners of four races in a row
Pick 6--the winners of six races in a row
If you can't make it to Churchill Downs for the big race, Turfway will carry the race simulcast. The gates open at 10 a.m. to catch the early races from Churchill. The party on the 4th floor begins at noon.
Turfway had $1, 086,581 in wagers for Churchill Downs the day of the Derby last year, said track spokeswoman Sherry Pinson. In 2007, the park saw $1, 062,537 in bets placed on the Derby. The amounts include all races from Churchill that day.
Many also wager on Lane’s End in the spring and the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions in the fall at Turfway, said Pinson.
Play the Derby from Turfway
Free admission and parking. Reserved seating in the Homestretch restaurant and Players’ Row, both on the 1st floor. Free first come-first served seating elsewhere.
Homestretch: $30 with individual TV monitor and buffet service from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (all seats non-smoking)
Homestretch: $25 with buffet service from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no TV) (all seats non-smoking)
Players’ Row: $5 (smoking and non-smoking available)
Gates will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Also, they will accept advance wagers on the Derby on Friday, May 1.
