1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Kentucky Derby 148 Sets Several Betting Records for Churchill Downs
Not only did the 2022 Kentucky Derby produce a stunning finish, but it also produced a record betting day, according to information from Churchill Downs Incorporated. The Louisville-based company announced its flagship track took $273.8 million in bets for Saturday’s 14-race card....
Rich Strike Gives Racing a Hollywood Story with Kentucky Derby Upset
They’ve made movies about the Kentucky Derby before. You’ve probably heard about Secretariat, and maybe you’ve heard about 50-to-1, the story of Mine That Bird’s surprise win. At some point, a studio will greenlight the story that unfurled Saturday at Churchill Downs...
Kentucky Derby Upset: 80-1 Rich Strike Pulls Off a Stunner for the Ages
As the horses in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby came before the crowd for the second and final time, it looked like a classic duel was shaping up between Epicenter and Zandon, two of the favorites in the race. But they never saw Rich...
Kentucky Derby 148: Plenty of Questions to be Answered Saturday
Saturday’s Kentucky Derby will be hard-pressed to top the scene at Churchill Downs on Friday, where 86-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his first Kentucky Oaks in 32 years with Secret Oath. Still, the 148th running of the Run...
Monmouth Park About to Make History Again as Fixed-Odds Horse Racing Starts Sunday
UPDATE 5/7 2:45 pm ET - Monmouth Park officials announced Saturday's eight-race card was canceled due to heavy rains and strong winds. The New Jersey track's 2022 meet, which will include fixed-odds wagering, will now begin Sunday. While the eyes of the...
Buffalo Bills New Stadium Naming Rights Could Be In Play for Barstool, Other Gaming Companies
When the Buffalo Bills open their new stadium, the NFL team may also be looking for a new naming rights sponsor. Front Office Sports reported Friday that Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the health insurance company that currently holds the naming rights...
Kentucky Derby Betting Update: Morning-Line Odds Explained
Pari-mutuel betting on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby started Friday morning, and when post positions were drawn, there were more than a few eyebrows raised when Zandon was installed as the morning-line favorite. Zandon, a Chad Brown-trained colt coming off a win in last...
Chicago Picks Bally’s for $1.7B Casino, But Some Near Tribune Site Object
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday that the city would move forward with Bally’s Corp. as its pick to operate a casino in the Illinois metropolis. The announcement, which has been anticipated, came after the Rhode Island-based gaming company reached a deal...
Bally’s Chair Soo Kim, Chicago Mayor Set to Meet Thursday on Casino
The Windy City may have found the company to operate its casino. Bally’s Corp. Chairman Soo Kim landed in Chicago Wednesday with plans to meet with Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday, the Chicago Tribune reported. The paper reported if all goes as...
California Sports Betting Proponents Get 1.6M Signatures for Ballot Measure
Proponents of a measure that would legalize online sports betting in California announced Tuesday they gathered 1.6 million signatures to get the question on the ballot this year. Election officials need to verify that 997,139 came from registered voters by June 30...
