Triple Crown Races Kenya

 

Dark Horses and Longshots to Watch Out For

As the 2025 Triple Crown races approach, some dark horses and longshots seem worth watching. The attention always goes to the favorites, and rightly so, since those are the horses most likely to win. But upsets and surprises are not uncommon in horse racing, and bettors who do their homework and take some calculated risks can often reap the rewards with nice payouts.

The Kentucky Derby, the first contest of the Triple Crown, is famous for giving us longshot winners. Not just a few, but a lot. Over the years, a healthy handful of horses have crossed the finish line first in the Derby at odds of 30-1 and above. In Keepmeinmind, the Derby has a horse that, while a longshot in 2022, has more than enough potential to make it to the front come the first Saturday in May; the colt finished seventh in the 2021 edition, but earned his way into the Derby with a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Consider another dark horse, Dream Shake, who won his first race in impressive fashion only to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Obligate has more speed and talent than Dream Shake, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dream Shake is a surprise contender in the 2021 Triple Crown races.

Among the longshots in the Preakness Stakes field, Rombauer is one to watch. Earlier this year, the 3-year-old colt won the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby with authority. Current odds put him at about 30-1 to win the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. Still, given the notional 6-horse field for the Preakness and Rombauer's recent string of eye-catching performances, he's a decent bet to finish in the money.

Finally, during the Belmont Stakes, which is the final part of the Triple Crown and the third and final race of the trio, you will want to pay attention to a horse named Known Agenda because he might just take the title of champion for himself. He put on a performance - winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby earlier in the year - that made a lot of people think he could do it. Reasons to believe he could do just that in the Belmont and/or be a contender for the most prestigious horse racing event in the United States include his obvious speed, the stamina he showed in winning the Derby, and simply the fact that he is well trained, all of which make him a pretty good candidate.

Although the top contenders are expected to do well in the Triple Crown races, there are opportunities to bet on dark horses and longshots. They're not favored to win, but if they do, the odds are such that you could make a nice payday. As always, do your homework; look not only at the resumes of these contenders, but also at their recent training and any other conditions that might affect their performance on race day.

Triple Crown Betting Tips

If you're looking for horse betting today, look no further. Until 2015 and last year's (2022) Justify miracle, it had been eons since an equine champion had won the ever-elusive Triple Crown. As noted above, only 13 Thoroughbreds have ever accomplished this remarkable series of victories, which speaks volumes about the difficulty of winning this wager.

• Winners of the Kentucky Derby tend to perform better than winners of any other race. The Derby is run on the longest dirt track, making it the perfect gauge of a thoroughbred's stamina.
• Betting on a horse race is not necessarily easier when there are fewer runners. Some trainers pick their races carefully and do not run in all three.
• Check the history of the horses, trainers and jockeys to determine their odds. Always do this to increase your chances of making winning bets.

 

Past Triple Crown Winners

Year	Horse
2018	Justify
2015	American Pharoah
1978	Affirmed
1977	Seattle Slew
1973	Secretariat
1948	Citation
1946	Assault
1943	Count Fleet
1941	Whirlaway
1937	War Admiral
1935	Omaha
1930	Gallant Fox
1919	Sir Barton