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Future Bets in horse racing can be great fun. Trying to find the Kentucky Derby winner in March, or the Breeders' Cup Classic winner in August, can be challenging and rewarding.
There are two types of Kentucky Derby Future bets. One is the three pools conducted by Churchill Downs with 23 betting interests. The wagering starts on a Thursday and runs through Sunday of that weekend. The prices close on Sunday and you don't know your final odds until the wagering closes. It is basically a pari-mutuel futures wagering pool.
It can be tricky to find real value with just 24 betting interests (23 individual horses and the 24th is the field or remaining horses). But Barbaro did pay handsomely last year. Those backing the colt in the first pool received a $40.20 payoff for a $2 wager. In Pool 2 he paid $32.20, and in Pool 3 he returned $20.80.
On Derby Day the colt returned $14.20.
The better way to play horse racing futures is either going offshore or heading to Las Vegas to the sportsbook. Instead of having just 24 betting interests, some racebooks have hundreds of three-year-olds listed. You can shop around between the books for the best price, and once you punch your ticket your price is locked in.
Futures for the Breeders' Cup start popping up in late summer and once again if you shop around for the best prices you can usually find value in just about every race.
The one downside to betting on the futures is that a portion of your wagering bankroll is tied up for weeks or months.
And there are no guarantees your horse even makes it to the starting gate. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters and you can see your futures horse not make it to the starting gate due to an injury or just a lack of graded stakes winnings. Or a lack of talent.
There are no refunds. If your horse does not make the race, you can rip up your ticket before the gate opens.
When playing the Futures, make sure you look for value. There really is no reason to tie up your betting dollars unless you can uncover a promising runner that you can get at very attractive odds.
Saratoga
Saratoga opens for the 143rd year on Friday, July 22 for an outstanding 40-day meeting that includes over 50 stakes races and 17 Grade 1 races. The marquee event of the meeting is the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Michael Dempsey will be providing his full card selections throughout the meeting. Mike’s Reports include his selections, analysis, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for every race.
Get your day off to a good start with Michael’s Free Pick of the day from Saratoga.
For information on Saratoga including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here.
Keeneland
Get info on racing dates, stakes races scheduled and track contact information by Clicking Here
Get Free Racing Picks for Keeneland from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here
Churchill Downs
The spring/summer meeting at Churchill Downs gets underway on Saturday April 30, with 24 graded stakes on the betting menu. The marquee events are the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Churchill Downs from Friday through Sunday each week.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Churchill Downs.
For information on Churchill Downs including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Belmont Park
Racing in New York shifts to Belmont Park on Friday April 29 for the spring / summer meeting, which includes the Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday June 11.
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Belmont Park each racing day from Wednesday through Sunday.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Belmont Park.
For information on Belmont Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Gulfstream Park
For information on Gulfstream Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Get Free Selections for Gulfstream Park from professional handicapper Brian Mulligan or purchase his highly rated selections by
Clicking Here
Aqueduct
For Aqueduct racing info including racing dates, stakes schedule, track layout and contact information, Click Here
Get Free Picks for Aqueduct races from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here
Daily past performances, track entries and race results.