New turf course, Kentucky Derby Day wagers ready to go
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The new $10 million turf course at Churchill has undergone a number of trial runs in recent weeks prior to the first-ever races being run over it Saturday night. Jockey Julien Leparoux already has ridden over it several times in practice runs and believes the new course eventually will be a major improvement over the one that underwent 35 years of use before being torn out last summer.
From a visual standpoint, it’s a pristine green practically begging 1,000-pound animals to come romping over it.
“It probably still has some growing up to do,” said Leparoux, referring to how the grass has not yet completely matured following a cold and rainy spring in this region. “But it has a good bounce to it and feels really good. It’s still pretty fast, but I think it’s going to be very nice.”
The seven-furlong course is five to eight feet wider in certain spots than the old one, with drainage substantially improved. It now has four rail settings as opposed to three, which will allow track superintendent Jamie Richardson and his crew to adjust accordingly so as to keep fresh ground available as often as possible. As many as 14 will be permitted to run in certain turf races, depending on the class level.
“The four lanes will be a big help,” said Leparoux. “We do still have to run some races over it, but I think it’ll be very good.”
New Derby Day wagers
A couple of new bets have been added to the Churchill wagering menu for Derby Day. They are a $3 minimum pick three involving stakes restricted to 3-year-olds, and a 50-cent pick five linking dirt stakes.
Subject races in the All-3-Year-Old (22 percent takeout) are the American Turf, the Pat Day Mile, and the Derby. Races in the All-Dirt pick five (15 percent takeout) are the new Knicks Go, the Derby City Distaff, the Churchill Downs, the Pat Day Mile, and the Derby.
These are in addition to the smorgasbord of established betting options, including the two-day Oaks-Derby double.