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You, Too, Can Pick a Winner

All you need is a buck and 3 key stats

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2009 2:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – Put down that mint julep: The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow, and you still don’t have a horse to bet on. But you do have a prayer, because Christina Settimi of Forbes, with help from horse racing expert Dean Keppler, outlines a winning strategy. With $118 million wagered, novices have a good shot at hefty payoffs, Keppler says.

To get started, you need $1 to wager and the Daily Racing Form, the industry bible that will help you track three key factors: speed, experience, and management. Don’t bet based on a horse’s starting position, Keppler advises, and don’t bet the favorite. But do stay hopeful, because even if you lose tomorrow, the Preakness is just around the bend.

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Exercise rider Lindsey Molina takes Kentucky Derby hopeful Chocolate Candy for a workout for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

A jockey makes his way to the track for a training session in preparation for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Big Brown's jockey Kent Desormeaux kisses the trophy after winning the 134th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Jockey Kent Desormeaux accepts the Kentucky Derby jockey's trophy during a ceremony in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Jun. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)

Jockey Kent Desormeaux celebrates aboard Hold Me Back as they are led to the winner's circle after winning the Lane's End horse race at Turfway Park, Saturday, March 21, 2009, in Florence., Ky. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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The pools are enormous and a majority of the fans are fledgling bettors wagering on cute names, numbers etc. - Dean Keppler, author of Kentucky Derby: How to Wager and Win on America's Biggest Horse Race

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You, Too, Can Pick a Winner