Virginia will soon witness the revival of the prestigious “Sport of Kings,” but passionate horse racing enthusiasts can indulge in some early excitement by tuning in to the 2021 Kentucky Derby this weekend.
But, there’s no need to go to Louisville to experience the famous “Run for the Roses.” NBC will be broadcasting the race live on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
If you’re interested in getting involved and placing bets, horse racing enthusiasts also have various wagering options available for the race. However, it’s important to note that these betting opportunities are not available at the newly opened Virginia sportsbooks this year. So, if you’re looking to bet on horses, you’ll need to explore other options.
You have two options for placing bets: the first one is through TVG, a legal online platform where you can conveniently bet from home. Alternatively, you can visit any of the Rosie’s Gaming Emporium locations in Virginia, which offer on-site racebooks.
2021 Kentucky Derby entrants and odds
Once again, this year’s race will take place at Churchill Downs. Serving as the culmination of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival, the event holds the prestigious title of being the largest annual gathering in Kentucky.
The highlight of the festivities is the Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds, covering a distance of 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs). This prestigious race is the initial contest of the renowned Triple Crown in horse racing, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the race was rescheduled to September. However, this year, the Kentucky Derby is back to its traditional position on the first Saturday in May.
This year marks the 147th edition of the race, an event that has taken place annually since 1875. Despite Churchill Downs typically attracting 165,000 spectators for the race, the Kentucky Derby will once again have limited attendance due to social-distancing protocols. The number of fans allowed is expected to be around 45,000. Nevertheless, whether the crowd is big or small, the Kentucky Derby, famously known as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” never fails to deliver an abundance of excitement and drama.
Which horses have the highest chances of winning the $1.4 million first prize at the 147th Kentucky Derby? Who has the potential to become as legendary as Secretariat, Smarty Jones, Seattle Slew, and other renowned Derby winners? Below are the horses competing this year, along with their opening odds.
| Post position | Horse | Opening odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hit Show | 30-1 |
| 2. | Verifying | 15-1 |
| 3. | Two Phil’s | 12-1 |
| 4. | Confidence Game | 20-1 |
| 5. | Tapit Trice | 5-1 |
| 6. | Kingsbarns | 12-1 |
| 7. | Reincarnate | 50-1 |
| 8. | Mage | 15-1 |
| 9. | Skinner | 20-1 |
| 10. | Practical Move | 10-1 |
| 11. | Disarm | 30-1 |
| 12. | Jace’s Road | 50-1 |
| 13. | Sun Thunder | 50-1 |
| 14. | Angel of Empire | 8-1 |
| 15. | Forte | 3-1 (Favorite) |
| 16. | Raise Cain | 50-1 |
| 17. | Derma Sotogake | 10-1 |
| 18. | Rocket Can | 30-1 |
| 19. | Lord Miles | 30-1 |
| 20. | Continuar | 50-1 |
This year’s top contenders are Essential Quality (2-1), Rock Your World (5-1), and Known Agenda (6-1), creating a thrilling lineup. However, amidst the excitement, there is a significant amount of off-track drama involving the odds-on favorite, Essential Quality, and his owner, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai.
Bet on the Kentucky Derby at TVG
In the United States, TVG is a legitimate horse betting app and streaming service that allows you to conveniently place your Kentucky Derby bets online.
TVG is widely recognized as the most renowned advanced-deposit wagering (ADW) website.
By utilizing ADW sites, horse bettors can easily fund their accounts by depositing money, granting them the opportunity to place bets. Moreover, it’s not limited to the Kentucky Derby alone; TVG bettors can also wager on a multitude of horse races happening worldwide.
The website proudly offers a wide range of features, which include:
- Numerous deposit options
- Frequent promotions
- Race previews
- Handicapping advice
- Racing schedules
- Selected tracks offer live video streaming.
Virginia also flush with OTB facilities
There is also the option to place a horse bet in person, eliminating the need to travel to Churchill Downs.
In the commonwealth of Virginia, there are several off-track betting (OTB) establishments available. These OTB facilities can be found within Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, which additionally offer historical horse racing (HHR) machines.
The betting parlors commonly display an array of TV screens broadcasting races from various tracks worldwide. They offer both manned betting windows and self-service betting terminals for placing bets. It is quite common to find fellow horseplayers at these parlors who are enthusiastic about discussing the races or sharing their disappointment over a close defeat.
Virginia OTB locations simulcast horse races from almost 20 racetracks every day.
The locations of Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums are:
- The location of Dumfries is at 18069 Triangle Shopping Plaza.
- The address for Hampton’s Power Plant Parkway is 1996.
- The location is New Kent at 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway.
- Richmond (6807 Midlothian Turnpike)
- Vinton (1135 Vinyard Road)
See live horse racing in Virginia
If you’re eager to experience live horse racing, there’s great news for Virginians: there’s no need to leave the state to indulge in this activity.
Starting in July, Colonial Downs Racetrack will be hosting three months of live racing. Attendees can enjoy the races with free general admission tickets and parking. For those looking for a more comfortable experience, reserved grandstand seats are available starting at just $5 each.
Situated in the eastern region of Virginia, Colonial Downs Racetrack is nestled within New Kent County. Additionally, it proudly houses a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.
From July 19 to Sept. 1, the horses will compete on the track every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Each of the 21 race dates will commence at 1:45 p.m.
After a long wait, horse racing in Virginia has finally become a reality. Colonial Downs made an effort to proceed with its 2020 season by excluding spectators. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak brought about a string of positive cases, compelling authorities to cancel the entire year.
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