Horse Racing Fantasy Community

If you think I'm going to talk about gambling and how to get rich, you're on the wrong website. There's no tips coming from me - no magic formula for big paydays. Betting on the long shot is what horse owners do every single year when they're out spending their money at all the different sales that occur around the country.

Every owner's dream is to have a horse that will win the Triple Crown. Some will settle for just the Kentucky Derby - others dream of having that unbelievable horse that nobody forgets. Dreams are great, but in this case when you do the math, you're really betting on the long shot.

Over 35,000 foals each year - Kentucky, Florida, California, New Jersey, New York - foals are everywhere. But, only one of them three years later will win the Kentucky Derby. Think of those odds - 35,000 to 1. I guess that's a lot better than the lottery that gets into the tens of millions to one, but the difference is that the lottery ticket will cost a buck. If you're buying a horse for a buck, he's probably not going on to the Triple Crown. There are so many factors, that even if you purchased the right horse, the question is if he will mature enough in time for the big 3-year-old races. Some great horses weren't great until after spring racing of their third year. A case in point, last year Curlin was a good 3-year-old by Derby time, but he was a great horse by the time he entered the Breeders' Cup. He got even better when he became a 4-year-old.

So, let's say the timing is right. Does the horse have the right ingredients to excel with the associated racing distances of the Triple Crown? There are a lot of great horses that can't run one foot past 6 furlongs. Other factors to consider are if you have the right trainer and jockey. I've seen a switch in trainers make all the difference in the world with a horse. Every trainer has some horse that he fits perfectly with, but not every trainer, no matter how good, is perfect for every horse. Finding that combination can be very difficult and really comes down to luck.

Now, with all this said, will my horse be healthy at the time that first Saturday in May comes around? Most horses spend 30% to 40% of their time sidelined from injuries or just taking a rest, so the timing factor can be very critical. I've seen so many good horses that looked like they were shoe-ins as top Triple Crown contenders, but because of injury or fatigue, failed to fire or show up for that big dance at Churchill Downs.

Yep, absolute long shots. So why do people do it? Spend one weekend at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby weekend and you'll never ask that question again. It is truly one of the most exciting two minutes in sports.

So, here's my sales pitch. You can go to sales in Florida, California or even horse sales in Kentucky - but why spend all that money when you can take $9.95 and go to our store? Choose from the 26 files we have containing the best of the best when it comes to race horses, jockey them, race them, have a blast. Win all the Kentucky Derbys you want!

- Twinberry73