The Kentucky Derby is called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for a reason. Being the first leg of the Triple Crown (with Breeders Cup and Preakness), this is a "must win" for any horse looking to make history and win all three races. Only eleven horses have won the elusive Triple Crown. The grueling schedule of three races in 5 weeks at longer distances than most have run previously in their careers is probably the most difficult task any horse will face in his racing career. Affirmed in 1978 still remains the last Triple Crown winner. Sadly, the last Triple Crown winner left alive, Seattle Slew, passed away on May 7, 2002.
Several horses have come close in recent years, winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fail in the Belmont Stakes. Many thought Big Brown was a cinch to finally break the drought in 2008, but a bad hoof, and perhaps all the pressure to win, led to his debacle in the Belmont Stakes, pulling up in the turn and being eased while longshot Da'Tara won. Overall there have been 21 horses to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown (Last was in 2008, Big Brown), 18 Horses that have won the last 2 legs (Last was 2005, Afleet Alex) and 11 Horses that have won the first and third legs (Last was in 1995, Thunder Gulch). Below I have the last 11 horses to win the first two Legs and then all 11 Horses that have won the Triple Crown.
Here are the odds to win the 2012 Triple Crown. Union Rags 10-1... Bodemeister 16-1... Gemologist 30-1... Dullahan 40-1... I'll Have Another 50-1... Creative Cause 60-1... Alpha 60-1... Take Charge Indy 75-1... El Padrino 85-1... Daddy Long Legs 100-1... Hansen 100-1... Trinniberg 100-1... Daddy Nose Best 100-1... Went The Day Well 125-1... Liaison 150-1... Sabercat 150-1... Optimizer 175-1... Done Talking 175-1... Rousing sermon 200-1... Prospective 200-1.
The Kentucky Derby start time and official post time is 6:24pm ET this Saturday from Churchill Downsin Louisville, Kentucky. The complete Kentucky Derby schedule of television and radio for the weekend is as follows: Derby Countdown Show 8-10am ET Friday on HRRN Radio, 9:30am ET Kentucky Oaks Day Coverage on HRTV, 3-6:00pm ET Kentucky Oaks & Undercard Stakes Race Coverage on HRRN Radio, 4-5:00pm ET Derby Classics on NBC Sports Network, 5-6:00pm ET the Kentucky Oaks will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network. Saturday: 9:30am ET Kentucky Derby Day Coverage on HRTV, 11am-4:00pm ET Kentucky Derby Undercard on NBC Sports Network, 2-4:00pm ET Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Race Coverage on HRRN Radio, 4-5:00pm ET Kentucky Derby Red Carpet Special on NBC Sports Network and 5-7:00pm ET the 138th Kentucky Derby live on NBC Sports Network. You can catch the Kentucky Derby wrap-up show on Sunday on HRTV.
2012 Kentucky Derby Best Bets
Pregame.com Pro Marco D'Angelo and Dave Tuley from ViewFromVegas.com and the Daily Racing Form discuss their 2012 Kentucky Derby best bets.
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