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Welcome to Trend Line, weekly installments on sports trends and what’s trending.
This week we’re talking about the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, the world’s most famous horse racing.
Journalism – Yes, it’s actually the name of a horse – a favorite to win, but the truth is that you don’t know which horse will end first.
we do Knowing which people will win on Saturday, it starts with our trends.
Bookmakers have a field day for Churchill Downs. Over $200 million was gambled in last year’s main event. Adding all the other races, over $300 million bets.
Less than $100 million were gambled in the main event in 2004.
Of course, it’s easier to gamble than ever before. It only takes a few clicks on your phone.
Still, just over $50 million were gambled in the next race in the horse racing Triple Crown (Preakness).
Derby is unique among horse racing as it is the top 10 gambling event in the US.
The fact that Derby is so popular is surprising given the general state of horse racing. When polls ask about people’s favorite sports, most don’t even include horse racing.
In a 2017 poll from the Washington Post, under 1% offered horse racing as their favorites. He came in 14th place in horse racing. In 1937, horse racing ranked fourth in the nation.
The Derby is that it’s more than just horse racing. I can’t imagine another sporting event with its own unique fashion that has nothing to do with what the athlete is wearing.
Yes, you can wear a seersucker suit or a crazy hat too.
Speaking of specific Derby, can you think of another sporting event where alcoholic beverages are not beer?
Mint jelep has a long history in horse racing. Some winners received the Sterling Julep Trophy for certain horse racing.
One of the main ingredients in mint jelep is bourbon. Kentucky is the country’s most producer of bourbon (probably 95%).
Therefore, Mint Juleps is a marketing goldmine for people related to the Derby.
My only fear is that if I drink too early on the Derby day, I won’t be able to keep myself awake due to the race.
It’s powerful, sweet, and you can choose the horse you actually won, like Saturday’s race.
