Due to the incident that occurred during morning training, pre-race favorite Forte will not be competing. Many gamblers’ options have opened up and closed down as a result of this shock. However, only minutes before the Kentucky Derby, the world’s richest bettor, Jim McIngvale, commonly referred to as “Mattress Mack,” who once won $75,000,000 in MLB finals, placed a wager on Angel of Empire, one of the pre-race favorites, along with Tapit Trice. However, this year too, his luck was no different.
The video of Mattress Mack betting on Angel of Empire went viral on Twitter only minutes before the main race. This video, posted by user br_betting, went viral when people were curious about the world’s biggest gambler’s wager on the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Another disappointing Kentucky Derby for the gambler
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
There has been a lot of tension at this year’s Kentucky Derby. The fact that the pre-race favorite, Forte, was unexpectedly scratched adds even more intrigue to an already exciting race. Mattress Mack has been promising customers of his furniture store that if Forte wins the race, they will get all of their furniture for free. Despite the dramatic shift in circumstances, Mack never decided to withdraw from the Derby. After losing Forte, the 72-year-old gambled a whopping $1,200,000 on Angel of Empire (9-2), the other Derby favorite.
McIngvale received $75,000,000 when the Houston Astros shocked the world by winning the World Series in 2022. He has never had a winning run in the Derby, and he lost $2,600,000 last year when he put all of his money on the pre-race favorite, Epicenter. In 2022, the pre-race favorites were soundly beaten by 80-1 long shot Rich Strike, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby. The new pre-race favorite, Angel of Empire, was Mack’s top pick this year. The equestrian community was taken aback, however, when Mage, despite 17-1 odds, sprinted from eighth place to the podium. The gambler lost a lot of money that he might have made.
MATTRESS MACK JUST PLACED A $1.2 MILLION DOLLAR BET ON ANGEL OF EMPIRE TO WIN THE KENTUCKY DERBY 🔥
(@gallerysports) pic.twitter.com/y9AbDjWWKp
— br_betting (@br_betting) May 6, 2023
A race to be remembered
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The start of the Run for the Roses has been signaled, and the gates are open. The race got off to an unexpected start, with Verifying in the lead and Derby favorites Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire far back in the pack. At the turn for the first time, Verifying (17-1) still had a commanding lead. Two Phil’s (7-1) was making progress, however, as he advanced in the rankings.
Kingsbarns (10-1), who had previously been in second position, passed Verifying at the halfway point to take the lead. The race was close until the last few seconds, when Two Phil’s passed the two leading colts and claimed the lead. But the horse’s lead didn’t last long, as Mage swooped in from the center to surprise everyone by sprinting through the finish line first.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY – Startling Details Behind the Kentucky Derby Gold Trophy Unraveled
The American businessman and largest gambler in the world nevertheless has a losing track record. The 72-year-old man can only wait another year to finally win his first Kentucky Derby wager.