Dubbed as the eye of the storm in the world of horse racing, the upcoming Kentucky Derby qualifiers are set to elevate the excitement for West Virginia’s online horse bettors, enhancing the experience of the renowned “sport of kings.”
Over the upcoming weekend, positioned between the initial and subsequent phases of Kentucky Derby qualification races, there is an opportunity to evaluate both the local and national racing scenes. This is further enhanced by outstanding Saturday race schedules throughout the winter season.
Horse racing odds in West Virginia
Here’s what bettors see:
Due to severe winter weather, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia had to cancel its card on March 12. However, this week, they have scheduled a complete live racing lineup from Wednesday to Saturday.
At 7 p.m., the betting enthusiasts are lured into considering underdogs on this reliable payout machine. The main reason behind this is the presence of low-level claiming races, large fields, or both.
About a fortnight ago, two back-to-back races at Charles Town resulted in a total of almost $50,000 in combined $2 superfecta payouts.
Last Thursday, “Charlie’s Town” proved once again to be a fruitful place for substantial rewards, despite the rarity of such occurrences.
The superfecta payout of $6,156 was unusual in the eight-horse field, as it did not solely consist of four long shots. Bettors had the opportunity to win a portion of this payout by including a combination of favorites and underdogs on their ticket when playing the 10-cent superfecta.
So, what happened?
At odds of 11-1, Love California, the offspring of California Chrome who won the 2014 Kentucky Derby, surged ahead to claim victory in the seven-furlong race.
El Milagra, who was the second choice at odds of 4-1, made a strong move from the middle of the pack and secured the second position. Decreed, the favorite at odds of 8-5, started the race too aggressively, became tired towards the end, and settled for third place.
Charades, a 50-1 underdog, made an impressive comeback all the way from Maryland to secure fourth place, greatly increasing the overall return.
The payout was made remarkable by the fact that a midrange long shot took first place, while two favorites secured the second and third spots, with a surprising bomb finishing in fourth.
There might have been bettors who stumbled upon a lucrative opportunity. For instance, a bettor who favored El Milagra could have placed 10-cent superfecta bets, selecting him to finish in the first and second positions along with five other horses. The total cost of such bets would amount to $12. Interestingly, this particular scenario would have resulted in a handsome payout of over $307.
If a gambler possesses the correct key alongside five others within an eight-horse field, the likelihood of the ticket hitting is highly favorable.
West Virginia horse racing options
Hitting the perfect superfecta combination is naturally challenging, but Charles Town racetrack presents unexpectedly generous payouts in smaller races due to the presence of viable long shot contenders.
One more factor:
This race was a $5,000 maiden-claiming event, considered to be one of the lowest class levels in horse racing. A horse that shows even a slight improvement has a chance to be competitive in this race. Additionally, it is always difficult to have full confidence in the favorites.
As Charles Town keeps moving forward, the Mountain State is quickly approaching the one-month mark until it proudly hosts two live racing facilities.
The opening date for Mountaineer in New Cumberland is scheduled for April 18.
Most weeks, West Virginia will have seven days of live racing thanks to the combined package.
Having only a few dark days per week and focusing on one major track during a specific time sets this state apart in an admirable way.
National picture horse betting
Bettors from West Virginia have been placing bets on action-packed race cards every weekend, featuring races from renowned tracks such as Gulfstream Park in Florida, Santa Anita in California, Oaklawn in Arkansas, and Aqueduct in New York, among other notable venues.
This has allowed them to track the Kentucky Derby preparation landscape, where victors of qualifying races have been granted 50 points.
The connection between the preliminary qualifying races and the main circuit, commencing on March 26, has been established. Horses that have accumulated the highest 20 qualifying points from races held between the fall of 2021 and early April will be eligible to participate in the Kentucky Derby.
Contestants are ready to go
These are the potential candidates for the May 7 Run for the Roses, and all of them meet the eligibility criteria.
Classic Causeway emerged victorious in both the Sam Davis and Tampa Bay Derby races held at Tampa Bay Downs, solidifying its position at the top of the qualifying pack with an impressive 66 points.
Epicenter, the winner of the Risen Star Stakes, trails closely with a total of 64 points.
Forbidden Kingdom, Morello, and Simplification are among the noteworthy horses. They emerged victorious in the San Felipe Stakes in California, the Gotham Stakes in New York, and the Fountain of Youth in Florida, respectively.
Un Ojo, the victor of the Rebel Stakes at odds of 75-1, is also in contention. This is just the beginning as we gear up for the prestigious 100-point preps.
Mark your calendars because there are important events coming up this Saturday. Get ready for the highly anticipated 100-pointers.
The Louisiana Derby at Fairgrounds and the UAE Derby in Dubai are scheduled for March 26. Following that, on April 2, we have the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Jeff Ruby Stakes.
Pay close attention to the trio of races on April 9 – the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and Blue Grass. By closely observing these events over three consecutive Saturdays, you’ll gain valuable insights into your early favorites for the Derby.
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