Posted on 4/28/2008 5:40:47 PM

Bet On Kentucky Derby Props

By Robby Maddux

Not investing a few coins in the Kentucky Derby is simply un-American and unacceptable, but that's coming from the same guy that'll wager on the over/under of someone's blood-pressure just to have action if given the chance. So, you know I'll be getting my feet wet on Saturday, despite not being able to pick a winner in a one-horse field.

This year's lineup features arguably the most wide-open field in Kentucky Derby betting history, which makes for a stellar betting race with the potential of an enormous payday. But, it also adds to my already non-existing chances of picking the winner. However, after looking through the available horse betting props, I still have hopes of cashing in on the "Greatest Two Minutes In Sports."

OK, my online sports wagering brethrens, we all have a little bit (or a lot''cough'') of degenerate blood running through our veins and mine's about to spill over. The prop that caught my eye was the 2008 Kentucky Derby Attendance Prop. That's right, I'm betting on this year's turnout!

The 156,635 in attendance last year, which included the royal Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, set the attendance total for the 134th Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Wouldn't you love to know how much of the $118,317,714 wagered on-track and off-track was the Queens? The staggering amount of dollars wagered was only 0.1 percent shy of the all-time total record of $118,426,874 bet in 2006.

Oddsmakers tagging the over/under at 156,635 is a clear sign they have nothing to base the total on other than last year's attendance number. There's no records, trends, past performances or other statistics oddsmakers ordinarily use to set a line, making this a ballsy wager to serve up in my opinion.

Last year's attendance mark of 156,635 that watched Street Sense roll was the third largest in the history of the "Run for the Roses." It trails only the crowd of 163,628 in 1974 and the 157,536 Kentucky Derby wagering fans that watched Barbaro's impressive victory in 2006.

It also marked the sixth time in nine years that Kentucky Derby Day attendance has topped 150,000. Past turnouts provide the only numbers to be crunched, but as you can see, they offer no edge or supporting trends.

With that in mind, my approach to this wager is logic and common sense which tells me there's just one element I can use for an edge that'll have an impact on Saturday's attendance, and that's weather.

The current forecast for the 134th Kentucky Derby is calling for scattered thunderstorms. The day before the big race is calling for all-day rain. But if that same system takes its time reaching Louisville, it could arrive on Saturday and that would make for a smaller crowd.

I will be watching the forecast closely and making my wager later in the week, allowing better chances for an accurate call on Mother Nature's intent.

If it's a rainy Derby day and sloppy track, I'm on the under at +150 156,635 like white on rice. If there's good conditions, I'm riding the over at -180 all the way to the winner's circle.

Keep checking the Locker Room all through the Triple Crown season, as we will cover the trainers, horses and jockeys in each race. You can get your early Kentucky Derby Odds at Churchill Downs bets in now in the BetUS sportsbook in the Future / props section, under Horse Futures: 2008 Kentucky Derby Betting.