We seldom speak about it, except when it comes around each spring and it seems to be on the mind of many avid racing enthusiasts, located four miles from Vancouver, originally called East Park.

Now named Hastings Raceway and was opened in 1889 which is listed as Vancouver’s longest continuously used professional sports facility and wholly owned subsidiary of the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation who acquired the lease of the city owner track in 2004.

Who’s in and who’s out and talk about Derby Odds given the analysis and betting that goes on each and every year especially in Vegas, which to say the least is out of for most is out of reach – at least in my world!! I started using these betting sites in the United States, its been great because I’m able to bet from home. The Derby is set and given the fact that there are only four short days (at the time of writing) the field is set and now it all comes down to setting the odds.

The race has changed since it first hit the track dating back to May 17th, 1875 where the first race was a field of fifteen horses in front of a  record crowd of 10,000.

The race itself is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or simply put “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” known for it’s duration.

The Derby was first run at 1 ½ miles or given today’s system it would be 2.4 kilometres which is the same distance as the one named the Epsom Derby, but the distance was eventually changed in 1896 to the current 1 ¼ miles or 2.0 k.

Some call it “The Run For The Roses” given the blanket of roses they place over the winning horse and with this being the first of three or the “Triple Crown” of racing, it’s followed by the Preakness Stakes and finally the Belmont Stakes.

When playing let it ride, dress is extremely formal and the overflow crowd has more attending than all other stakes races, which include the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and the Breeders Cup.

This race will be the 143rd running with a guaranteed purse of $2 million guaranteed purse payout with the odds increasing daily.

Photo Churchill Downs 1901

One interesting scenario for any better is regardless of whether you are on a favorite or not, the odds are very enticing  with the record of highest Derby favorite (in history) of a 6.30-1 which was set in 2010 by “Lookin At Lucky”.

I am hearing that this might not be in jeopardy as given the current field the one listed as the favorite might be 4-1 or lower.

Each event has specific traditions with this being no different and one such tradition to go with the atmosphere is the “Mint Julep” which is an ice drink that consists of bourbon, mint and sugar syrup served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup, but most use the souvenir glass dating back to 1939.

It’s interesting to note that records were set by owners. Trainers and Jockeys throughout its long history of the race and are as follows:

Most Wins by a Jockey

5 – Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952)

5 – Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)

Most Wins by a Trainer

6 – Ben A. Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952)

Most Wins by an Owner

8 – Calumet Farm  (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)

Here’s hoping we have a great race!!