Overachieving Coal Battle, a $70,000 purchase for Norman Stables at the Texas Thoroughbred Association summer yearling sale, has to be the greatest feel-good story of the 151st Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.
What started in late summer, continued in the fall and icy days of winter, and blossomed in the spring has come to an end. All of the preps, workouts, speculation and analysis on the Road to the Kentucky Derby are done.
NBC Sports will again provide extensive coverage of the $5 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday as well as the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies, the day before.
The appeal of betting on horse racing, for me at least, is summed up in the axiom, “bet a little to win a lot.” That requires finding longshots worthy of making a win bet on and also structuring what are called “exotic bets” such as the exacta and trifecta to ensure a hefty payout.
