Tips For Betting The 2020 Arkansas Derby
Sports betting in the month of May usually starts with a bang in Louisville with the running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This is the biggest single-race betting event of the year. Unfortunately, this year’s race had to be postponed until the first Saturday in September due to the current coronavirus health crisis.
The $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in early April is usually one of the last big prep races for three-year old thoroughbreds that helps to determine the actual 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby. Given the current situation, Oaklawn decided to postpone this race until Saturday, May 2 to help fill the void.
Three Reasons to Bet The 2020 Arkansas Derby at an Online Sportsbook
This year’s Arkansas Derby drew so much interest from horse racing’s top trainers that it had to be split into two separate divisions with 11 entries in each race. Sports bettors looking for any action they can find should be thrilled. This only makes a great daily race card at Oaklawn all the more exciting. The total prize money for this one million dollar Grade 1 event will be split in half to $500,000 for each race.
Focus on The Favorites
One of the first tips to betting any major graded event is focusing in on the favorites. Each field for these races is made up of the best three-year old’s in this year’s crop. And as the old saying goes, the cream of the crop usually rises to the top.
The top entry to watch in the first division is famed trainer Bob Baffert’s Nadal. This three-year old Kentucky-bred colt is listed as a +1000 third-favorite to win this year’s Kentucky Derby on a futures betting list. He is also a perfect three-for-three with a trio of wins in his young racing career.
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Turning to the second division, the contender at the top of that list is Baffert’s Charlatan. After Tiz The Law at +600, this Kentucky-bred colt is second on the Derby futures list at +700 odds. Making his graded stakes race debut, the son of Speightstown has previous victories at Santa Anita Park in an Allowance Claimer and a Maiden Special Weight race.
Check Out Who is Getting The Ride
Another important aspect of betting horses is knowing which jockeys have the best winning percentage. This is especially enhanced when they have a high winning rate at that particular track. When it comes to Grade 1 stakes events such as the Arkansas Derby, all the jockeys have earned their way into the race.
2020 Horse Betting Options at Online Sportsbooks
Nadal with have Joel Rosario on board as one of the best of the best. Getting the ride on Charlatan in the other division is Martin Garcia to form a very attractive combination.
Home Track Advantage
Previous success at a particular race track does not guarantee the same level of success in the future but it does count for something. Horses are amazing animals but there are still certain elements that cannot be controlled. A familiar setting can be a major plus for any horse getting ready to run a big race.
This will be Charlatan’s first race off the West Coast but Nadal will be returning to the same track where he won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes back in mid-March.
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