KentuckyDerbyGreats

The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious thoroughbred race run not just in the United States of America, not just in North America, not just in the Western Hemisphere, but in the entire world. The race is run on the first Saturday in May every year, and only stakes winning thoroughbred horses are even eligible to run in the race. The race has always been run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is run at a mile and a quarter, or ten furlongs, and has been the sight and the stage for many incredible performances. One of the things that makes the Kentucky Derby such an ultra-prestigious and high-profile race is that it's the first jewel in the so-called Triple Crown, which consists of three races run at longer-than-normal distances that take place over a period of five weeks. The second jewel is the Preakness Stakes, run at a mile and three-sixteenths, or nine-and-a-half furlongs, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland exactly two weeks after the running of the Kentucky Derby. The third and most difficult jewel in the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes, run at a mile and a half, or 12 furlongs, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, just outside of Queens, exactly three weeks after the running of the Preakness Stakes. Eleven horses in the history of American horse racing have managed to win the Triple Crown. Each one of them, of course, won the Kentucky Derby. Because the Kentucky Derby is such a prestigious race, the race usually features a large field of at least twelve or more stakes-winning thoroughbreds. When the great Citation won the race, which is also known as The Run for the Roses, the muddy track and the dominance of Citation contributed to a field of only five horses to face the amazing Citation. Of course, he waltzed home not only to take the Derby, but also to take the Triple Crown, as well. The greatest of the Kentucky Derby greats is no doubt the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. When he won his race, he set a Derby record that still stands today, and became the very first thoroughbred to run the race in under two minutes. Thus far, only two others have done so, though not as fast as Secretariat. What makes Secretariat's performance so special is that, in winning the race, he ran each of the five succeeding quarter-miles in the race faster, the only time such a thing has ever happened in the history of horse racing at a race of that distance.

Dosage Index - The Dosage Index is a mathematical formula which is used to determine how well a thoroughbred racehorse can run a race, depending on the distance of that particular race. In North America, horse races range from five furlongs (1100 yards) to 1 ½ miles. It is based on the belief that sires (stallions) pass on skills for either a raw speed or stamina. Although it has been around for many years, the Dosage Index attracted little attention until scientist and racehorse owner Stephen A. Roman developed a new version. He based his system on studying racehorses excelled during their careers, and studied the distance which they preferred. In this system, horses are divided into several categories – Brilliant, Intermediate, Classic, Solid or Professional. Brilliant horses excel at short distances; Professional courses perform best in long races.

Win, Place, and Show - A Guide To Simple Bets - There are many ways to place a bet at the race track. In its basic form, a bet is made on a single horse in a single race to win, place, or show. When betting on a horse to “win”, the bettor only wins the bet if his chosen horse wins the race. Should he bet on that horse to “place” (come in second), the bettor can collect a prize if his horse comes in first or second. By betting on a horse to “show” (come in third), the bettor collects if the horse finishes in the top three. These wagers are all straight bets, involving only one race horse in one race. Beginners prefer to start with these simpler bets. Learn betting skills in the virtual world at www.HorseRaceGame.com. Become a bettor, jockey, or trainer while competing for real-life prizes in this realistic fantasy horse racing game with realistic 3-D graphics.