The Kentucky Derby

Horse racing has always been an honored tradition in my family. As kids we were encouraged to crawl under the turn styles to attend for free. We were taught to collect discarded ticket on the off chance that one might have been discarded in error. And we were encouraged to bet with our father who happily played bookie to our dime bets. When my parents announced that they were divorcing, I was 18 and requested one last trip to Santa Anita as a family to try to preserve the good times past. This year's Kentucky Derby was the first without my father. Throughout this first Saturday in May, I thought of my grandfather who would consistently bet the grey horses and my father who carefully studied the racing guide suggesting his picks were more science than luck. I've tried to make my own traditions by funding a $5 bet for everyone in the family. The email below is this year's report that I think both my father and my grandfathers would have enjoyed.

By now, maybe you know that Golden Tempo won and that he was trained by the first female trainer to win the Derby. It was an impressive win coming from dead last on the backstretch to an amazing close down the stretch. That, plus the history, made it a great story this year.

But, here's the story about how we bet.

In my opening email (that you all received), I called out Golden Tempo as the perfect horse for Eve. Eve is an experienced "bet by name" professional who I thought would clearly gravitate to this name. Later, I insisted that Gracie has amazing Golden Tempo as she bounces around. Eve initially passed on betting at all, butshe rallied and backed So Happy and even showed enough confidence to bet the horse to Place. Scott would join her in that choice betting to Win, but So Happy finished an unhappy 9th.

Mary identified Chief Wallabee as a strong contender, and he finished just off the money in fourth place. Good show.

Kevin--big surprise--had trouble picking one horse. He added his own funds and picked THREE horses, or 16% of the field. He chose Emerging Market, Incredibolt, & Potente, who finished 10th, 6th, and 12th, respectively, out of the 19-horse field.

My first choice was The Puma, who scratched overnight, and my head told me Further Ado. I bet my $5 on him to Win. He slipped in there with Kevin's herd in 11th place.

But as I completed placing the last bet online, I noticed a promotional credit in my account plus a little bit of money left from last year. It totaled $10, and on a whim, I decided to place it all on Golden Tempo. Ultimately, he was my biggest bet of the day. As my hand hovered over the mouse, I changed the bet from WIN to SHOW. My $10 was the only winner and paid $59.50.

For the first time, I was not a loser on Derby day. I covered all your best plus can afford a couple of runs to Baskin & Robbins as well!

On to the Preakness.

greg

May 2, 2026