Churchill Proposes Derby Bet on Winning Sire

Besides having bragging rights this spring, stud farms also could have the opportunity to wager on their sires delivering a Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner.

Churchill Downs would like to add a Derby future wager in which bettors would select who they think will be the sire of the Derby winner in the upcoming race. It would be modeled after the current future wager pools that offer 23 individual betting interests and one "all others" interest. Churchill officials will outline their ideas for the wager at the Dec. 2 Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting in Lexington.

Some wagering rules may need to be tweaked to allow the wager, but if approved in time, Churchill officials said they could offer the sire bet in advance of the 2015 Derby. Wagering would likely be offered in January or February if offered for the 2015 Derby, otherwise it could be something offered in 2016.

Churchill communications director Darren Rogers said the Louisville track has been looking at adding wrinkles to its current menu of Derby future wager pools. 

"These are some of the past racing stars of our sport. You think of Tapit  , War Front  , and all the current sires. You'd be able to offer an intriguing wager in advance of the Derby," Rogers said, adding that players might find attractive the potential of getting multiple 3-year-olds to follow. "If one of your sire's stars goes by the wayside, your bet's not totally null and void."

Rogers said if the wager is approved and offered, Churchill would work to provide information on the progeny of each sire to the betting public.

"We think it would obviously be very popular in Central Kentucky, with some of the breeders," Rogers said. "We also think it's a different type wager that fans of the sport might also enjoy participating in...We do think it's an intriguing bet that could garner some attention from fans."