Justify is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
A son of Scat Daddy, Justify is a relatively inexperienced colt with just three races to show, but he dominated each of them and earned the title of morning-line Derby favorite at 3-1 odds.
Is it possible Justify could be the sport’s next star?
“He’s always been a superior animal,” Baffert said. “When they’re that big and beautiful and then they can run and the way he’s bred, all the ingredients are there. Now we just need some racing luck.”
The argument over the quality of a particular Derby field is an annual rite of spring in Kentucky, but by all accounts this 2018 group appears to be deep.
An ESPN Chalk article considers whether legal sports betting could boost horse betting.
The looming decision would be a boon to leagues such as the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball. But what about horse racing, a sport you can already wager on legally nationwide? Would this development help or hurt the industry?
One place where people are already betting on legalization helping is Monmouth Park, in New Jersey, where bookmaker William Hill has already invested in a sports bar that can be quickly converted into a sportsbook, if and when sports betting becomes legal in the state.
Attorney Dennis Drazin, who has been guiding Monmouth Park in its preparations for legalized sports betting, is confident that it will happen — and that it will boost horse racing.
“New Jersey has created a chance for racetracks and casinos to be involved in sports betting,” Drazin said. “I believe that the Supreme Court will rule in our favor, so the racetracks obviously will benefit. We’ll get people to come back to the racetrack — people that will stay because there will probably be in-play wagering also, so people will be engaged.”
A new New Jersey sports betting bill includes an integrity fee that would be paid to major sports leagues.
They would not automatically get this money, as the state’s own offices on integrity would get first crack at the fund. According to the bill, regulators “shall be authorized to cooperate with investigations by sports governing bodies or law enforcement agencies, including providing or facilitating the provision of account level betting information and audio or video files relating to persons placing wagers.”
The NBA and MLB have been lobbying lawmakers in the state. Interestingly, it appears that NJ lawmakers originally came up with the integrity fee idea. The leagues have taken that idea and run with it in NJ and other states contemplating legal sports wagering.
Jason Sobel shared his favorite betting story involving Phil Mickelson.
Right as the Pay-Per-View broadcast started, before the undercard, Mickelson stood up in front of the room.
He was a gracious host, praising the staff, thanking everyone for coming and urging us to relax and enjoy ourselves. Before sitting down, he offered a foreboding decree.
“Oh, and one more thing,” he said through that sly smile of his. “Wagering is encouraged.”
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Each Friday, we’ll comb through as many articles, tweets and podcasts as we can find related to the world of sports betting and daily fantasy sports, and publish the good stuff here.
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