Despite Infamous Build-Up, Kentucky Derby Achieves New Record With $188,700,000 on the Line

Any horse racing lover will tell you that two minutes of the Run of the Roses or the Kentucky Derby are among the most exciting of their lives. Nonetheless, many spectators partake in activities other than the race itself before, during, and after the event. One of these activities, betting on a certain horse, has been going on since the Derby’s inception in 1874. Despite being a wild ride, many bets were placed on this year’s Derby.

Pickswise just tweeted that a total of $188,700,000 was placed on this year’s Kentucky Derby. A lot transpired during and before the race, yet they still managed to break the previous record of $179,000,000.

The bumpy road leading to a successful Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby this year was really unforgettable. The Saturday morning equestrian news was that the pre-race favorite, Forte, had to withdraw from the race due to an injury to his right front foot. A lot of people were disappointed since they had wagered on the pre-race favorite to win. There were originally 23 horses entered in the Derby, but after scratching involving Forte, Skinner, Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar, just 18 remained. In addition to the horses being scratched just before the Derby, a pile of seven dead horses was discovered at Churchill Downs, the site of the annual Derby.

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With all these events happening, the path leading up to the Derby was certainly dramatic, but the drama didn’t end there because the gambling community didn’t back off. With Forte out of the race, the altered odds of 9-2 made Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire the new pre-race favorites.

After Forte let him down, Mattress Mack, one of the world’s largest gamblers, placed a $1,200,000 wager on Angel of Empire. Mage, a 17-1 long shot, beat off the favorites and won the Kentucky Derby in 2023. All this excitement has undoubtedly influenced the wagers placed this year. There were a total of 14 races held on the same day as the Run for the Roses, and a whopping $288,700,000 was wagered.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby, with all its problems, was still a tremendous event because of the excitement and suspense it maintained for so long. Equestrian enthusiasts would now be looking forward to next year’s 150th edition of the Derby because of everything noteworthy that has transpired in the lead-up to it.

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