Thoroughly Bred

Horse racing is a family affair. According to data collected by equiline.com, all 20 of the horses to be called to the post for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby trace back to one horse. Take a look . . . they are like the Hapsburgs, but why the long face?

The sums of money paid for colts that show promise can be astronomical (one went for $16,000,000 in 2006) but even more incredible is how much some horses draw for stud fees. From this morning's WSJ:

The world's most valuable stud, Storm Cat, is a descendant of Native Dancer and had an ordinary racing career. As a sire, he's fathered numerous winners of high-profile races. He now commands up to $300,000 per mating.

I think it is time for a career change, which schools have good programs for a job as described above?

The morning line is up for the Derby contenders, head over to the official Kentucky Derby site, check the odds, look at the galleries, read up on Derby history, watch the morning workouts if you want. Looks like the early favorites are Big Brown (3-1) and Colonel John (4-1). As a betting man, I'll be putting my money on Big Truck, if you are going to gamble, might as well go big and it doesn't get much bigger than 50-1.

For those of you not in the betting know, here's a short list of the important terms:

ACROSS THE BOARD: A bet on a horse to win, place and show. If the horse wins, the player collects three ways; if second, two ways; and if third, one way, losing the win and place bets.

BRIDGE JUMPER: A person who bets an unusually large sum on a single horse, like $100,000 to show. Refers to the fact that if they lose they may be jumping off the nearest bridge.

EXACTA (or PERFECTA): A wager in which the first two finishers in a race, in exact order of finish, must be picked.

PLACE: Second position at finish.

PLACE BET: Wager on a horse to finish first or second.

QUINELLA: Wager in which first two finishers must be picked, but payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second.

SHOW: Third position at the finish.

SHOW BET: Wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.

SUPERFECTA: A wager where you have to pick the first four finishers in exact order.

TRIFECTA (or TRIPLE): A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order.

WIN BET: Wager on a horse to finish first.

You can find more information on betting, handicapping, track conditions, etc. than you would ever want at the Daily Racing Form. The betting window is open, my green visor is on, place your bets!

In other racing news, hats off to those racing Tour of the Gila. Many Colorado riders are representing well . . . go faster Pinkerton, I've got $5 on you to show (see above). Echelon Elite looks to have a few horses running well in the 35+ race, surprise, surprise. Mike Carter is sitting in 1st place after two days of racing and Dennis Farrell is in 3rd overall. Keep up the good work!