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Weekends in the USA are all about football (both college and the NFL) during the fall months. But this coming weekend Breeders' Cup betting and the millions of dollars that will be bet on the event will help to fuel action at both online sports books and the Vegas casinos. They'll also be taking wagers on the much anticipated UFC 90.
The Breeders' Cup, Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious global event, consists of 14 races held over two days, with purses totaling $25.5 million, making this year's event the richest prize money event in sports worldwide, points out David Stratton of Gaming Today.
"The field turned out to be phenomenal," said John Avello, race and sports director at Wynn Las Vegas. "The owners of Curlin, who won last year, elected to bring him back, effectively putting his Horse of the Year title on the line."
Oddsmakers online have instilled Curlin as the favorite, though that horse still pays $175 for every $100 bet at Sports Interaction.
"Everyone is anticipating Curlin to win and some online race books do not even list the other horses, they just throw them into the ‘field' category," points out Gambling911.com Senior Editor, Payton O'Brien, who has forecast this year's Breeders' Cup to be the biggest horse betting event after the Kentucky Derby based on initial traffic leading up to the race. "Bigger than the Preakness," she added.
Curlin can claim the "Horse of the World" title if he can defend his 2007 title and Classic victory.
In the 2008 Classic, Curlin faces the toughest field he has encountered, points out Scott Finley of USA Today. Two of Europe's best turf runners, Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass, join the Japanese wonder horse Casino Drive and a seasoned bunch of California-based winners at the highest level.
Odds at Sports Interaction were as follows:
Curlin +175
Henrythenavigator +600
Casino Drive +700
Raven's Pass +700
Go Between +800
Duke Of Marmalade +800
Colonel John +1000
Student Council +2000
Tiago +2500
Smooth Air +3000
Champs Elysees +3300
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Tyrone Black, Gambling911
