Being a loyal bettor of Kentucky derby betting and other horse race events for many years now, I can say that after losing a lot of bets, I’ve already learn some tactics that helped increase my winning. Today I’m going to share it to all of you guys because I don’t want you to experience what I’ve experience (all starter bettors are bullied by experience bettors and had just become their prey and cow cash). Read on and learn Kentucky derby betting tips.

So many outside forces govern our selection process of the Kentucky Derby that it is sometimes easy to forget that the “Run for the Roses” needs to be handicapped like it is the fourth race on the card at Aqueduct on a Wednesday afternoon. Facets of a race that would normally never be considered somehow have a way of rearing their ugly head on the First Saturday in May and tend to sway us off of a sensible path. Aside from the black and white running lines we find in the Daily Racing Form, it is just as crucial to have a solidified foothold on the trappings that could possibly snare the avid horseplayer come Derby Day. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom that I have learned the hard way over the years.

1. The faster horses have the better chance to win the race. Just because it is the Kentucky Derby, a 45-1 shot who has only a maiden win to their credit is not going to suddenly “wake up” and run like Secretariat.

2. Don’t bet a runner because they have a catchy name, this only works in the movies.

3. Don’t listen to the media experts. The worst thing that can happen to you is to be talked off of a horse you like by some “professional” handicapper. People on TV have no more of an idea what is going to happen than you do. If they were truly professionals they would not be broadcasting their picks to thousands of strangers.

4. Don’t avoid a horse because someone you hate is betting on them.

5. Never accept a prop bet that there will be a Triple Crown winner. If you really want to bet on Triple Crown and you are just a beginner, just start on small bets. This is the hardest accomplishment in sports to achieve and it has only been done eleven times in over 130 years.

6. Don’t become smitten with sentimental Derby stories. A 97 year old owner that has conquered addiction and bankruptcy wins the public’s sympathy, but won’t do you a lick of good in the final furlong.

If you are really concentrated in Kentucky derby betting, then use good sense and sound handicapping principles and in a few days you just might find yourself draped in a blanket of roses! Above all these tips, one important thing that you shouldn’t forget is to Enjoy! Soak in every minute of the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports”. It only comes once a year and is a piece of Americana that should be treasured. So cherished every moment and just enjoy!

For the gambler compelled to analyze as many as 20 precocious 3-year-olds running faster and farther than they’ve ever run before, successful Kentucky Derby betting probably comes down to an understanding of five fundamental factors: Preparation, stamina, running style, luck and value. With the world’s most famous horse race set for its annual spin around the Churchill Downs oval in Louisville for May 7 this year; let’s take a closer look at the core elements:

Readiness: The old adage is that you don’t have to have the best horse to win the Kentucky Derby; you just have to have the best horse on the first Saturday in May. Indeed, readiness, which can be described as a horse that is at his physical, mental and emotional peak at the time of the race, can sometimes overcome a shortage of speed or talent.

Stamina: Given the arduous distance of the Kentucky Derby, some handicappers place great emphasis on breeding and the likelihood, based on a horse’s pedigree, that a colt will “get the distance.” But many richly bred thoroughbreds trip on their pedigrees while others of lesser parentage exceed expectations. Like everything else, pedigree must be weighed against price to determine value.

Running style: While being out front is never the worst place to be in a race and horses that close vast amounts of ground in the stretch are exciting to watch. The way to win the Kentucky Derby is to be neither on the lead or too far off it.

With a full field of 20 runners expected to contest this year’s Kentucky Derby, being close to the pace (while not engaged in it) relieves a horse of having to circle a large group of tiring runners or, just as damaging, having to contend with an unrealistically quick pace set by overmatched sprinters that have little hope of being around at the finish. So, while there have been 39 horses that have won the Kentucky Derby by leading from gate to wire, just one, War Emblem in 2002, accomplished the feat in the last 24 years.

Luck: It is a truism of racing that the best horse doesn’t always win. Racing luck, including post position draw, weather conditions, track bias a trip can foil the best intentioned horse. It’s difficult to handicap luck except to point out that horses who are quick and nimble sometimes can overcome bad luck.

Value: Many professional players insist that value is the most important factor to consider in any sports betting scenario. So it’s not just a question of whether your horse can win the race but whether he’s worth a bet at his price. An understanding of value is essential to successful Kentucky Derby betting.