The Sportsletter - Kentucky Derby 150 🌹

BY JEFF YODER

MAY 3, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Happy Friday 🙌

We did it. Another major sports weekend is on the way. The NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs step from Round 1 into Round 2 this weekend, and the Kentucky Derby celebrates an amazing milestone in sports. Allow me to re-run the roses back 150 years to prepare you for the fastest two minutes in sports.

Letter Rip!

  KY DERBY  

Derby 150: A Milestone Run for the Roses 🌹

Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images

The 150th Kentucky Derby Marks a Historic Moment, And It Makes Every Modern American Sports Tradition Look Infantile

Before airplanes and space travel, radio and television, the Great Depression, and two world wars, there lived a horse race in Louisville that's stood the test of time. Baseball may be the Derby's only elder sport in America’s young history, but I would argue the Derby tradition is an even deeper relic of the past. The first race was run in 1875, 30-plus years after Abner Doubleday created baseball, just six years after the first recorded game of Ivy Leaguers tackling each other, and more than a decade before James Naismith first hung a peach basket on a pole. The sport of horse racing itself? Timeless. One only needs to dig into Europe's history to see Roman chariots and coliseums dating back hundreds (and thousands) of years.

[ Fun Fact: Modern American sports pale in comparison to the tradition and fortitude of a 150-year event. Super Bowls (57), NBA titles (75), The Masters (88), Stanley Cups (107), Indy 500s (107), and even the World Series (119) fall short. ]

Sports history is full of trial and error. Leagues have come and gone and shifts in governance will never stop, but there’s something simple and timeless about the fastest two minutes in sports. The charm of southern-midwest vibes are laced throughout Churchill Downs' historic experience. Mint juleps, made with Kentucky Bourbon, originated in the 1700s. The wide-brimmed hats transport fans back to an era (both good and bad) of classical elegance. An era when betting on horses was not only commonplace but the main (and only?) draw in sports. A century-and-a-half later, the Derby's attraction is only growing.

Since 1875 — The 150th Anniversary

Diehard Derby lovers probably know the history, but general sports fans may not. The Kentucky Derby was first created by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the founder of the Louisville Jockey Club. He constructed the track on land leased from a pair of relatives, the Churchills. The first race was run on May 17, 1875. A jockey by the name of Oliver Lewis rode H.P. McGrath’s thoroughbred Aristides to victory in front of approximately 10,000 fans. The modern-day event now draws around 170,000 in-person spectators on top of an average 15 million television viewers. In the 150 years since 1875, it’s only been postponed twice (never canceled). The first for World War II (1945) and again due to COVID-19 (2020).

Riding The Ponies

One of the big reasons for the Derby’s transcendence through time is the excitement of a two-minute bet. The Kentucky Derby is the fourth-most bet-on sporting event in the world despite lasting just 120 seconds. The three atop the list won’t surprise you, but the Derby still garners more wagers than the World Series, all golf and tennis majors, the NBA and NHL playoffs, and even college football.

The Most Bet-On Sporting Events

1. FIFA World Cup

2. Super Bowl

3. March Madness

4. Kentucky Derby

Traditions, Roses & Recent Derby Upsets

We mentioned the mint juleps and fashionable hats, known as ‘fascinators’ or bowling hats, but the roses hold significance in this iconic race. All in all, there are 554 roses sewn into the garland that crowns the winning horse. But which horse has the best road to the roses? This year’s field is full of favorites, including five horses with 10-1 odds or better. But don’t count out the “dark horses” and long shots. The last two winners were surprises, including Mage (15-1) last year, and Rich Strike at 80-1 in 2022. I’ll never forget that Rich Strike call from Larry Collmus.

KY Derby Odds (Top-5 & Long Shots)

Gate 17: Fierceness (5-2)

Gate 2: Sierra Leone (3-1)

Gate 4: Catching Freedom (8-1)

Gate 8: Just a Touch (10-1)

Gate 11: Forever Young (10-1)

Dark Horses: Mystik Dan & Resilience (20-1)

*Both Horses Won 2 Recent Events

Long Shots: Epic Man & West Saratoga (50-1)

Tomorrow’s 150th call will be nothing short of historic. Grab a julep, dust off the fascinator, and sacrifice two minutes of your day for one of sport's epic traditions. 

Race Start

150th Kentucky Derby (Sat. 6:57 pm ET, NBC)

Read More

NBC Sports: Previewing the 150th Kentucky Derby: Odds, Horses & Analysis

Sporting News: Who is Attending the Kentucky Derby? Full List of Celebrities From Aaron Rodgers to Jack Harlow

The Athletic: Ghosts of the Kentucky Derby: From Lewis & Clark to the Race’s Near Demise (+Paywall)

  NBA PLAYOFFS  

Pacers-Knicks Rivalry Renewed 🍿

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

Pacers Oust Bucks (120-98) & Knicks Bounce 76ers (118-115) to Set Up Iconic Playoff Rivalry in Round 2

Two games on Thursday night ended in series closeouts for the Pacers and Knicks, and oh boy, does that set up a fun one in Round 2. Indiana and New York met in the playoffs six times over seven seasons from 1993-2000. They met again in 2014, but those ‘90s duels were fueled by the animosity between Reggie Miller and Knicks Superfan Spike Lee. You probably remember some of those iconic moments, like when Miller scored eight points in 9 seconds against Patrick Ewing’s squad, or the infamous choke taunt. The trash talk, fights, and ejections were all phenomenal. This should be fun. But first, let’s see how we got here.

How Game 6s Were Won: Indiana sent Milwaukee into the offseason with six players in double figures and 50 points from the bench. Obi Toppin (21 pts) and T.J. McConnell (20 pts) were the bench stars for Indy. The Pacers outscored the Bucks in every quarter. Even though Damian Lillard played through injury and scored 28 points, it wasn’t enough. In the nightcap, the 76ers rallied late to tie the game at 111-all, but Josh Hart hit a critical 3, and the Knicks won the free-throw battle. Jalen Brunson (41 pts) and Joel Embiid (39 pts) were box office.

NBA Playoff Highlights (Round 1)

Gm 6: Pacers def. Bucks (120-98)

IND Wins Series (4-2)

Gm 6: Knicks def. 76ers (118-115)

NYK Wins Series (4-2)

Read More

Yahoo! Sports: Knicks Sink Sixers as Jalen Brunson Channels Playoff MJ

CBS Sports: Bucks Running Out of Tie to Fix Roster Before Giannis & Dame Split

  NFL  

Maserati Marv's Jersey Holdout

Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

Cardinals’ Fans Still Can’t Buy New Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Jersey Because of NFLPA Licensing Issue

The Cardinals may have drafted Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 pick in last week’s NFL Draft — a slam dunk selection, by the way — but Maserati Marv is turning heads before taking the field. The son of an NFL legend didn’t sign a preliminary NFLPA licensing agreement like almost every high-level draft pick before him. That agreement allows his name and likeness to be monetized before signing his official NFL contract with the Cardinals. The most immediate impact is that fans can’t purchase Harrison’s jersey. It also has an impact on other products like sports cards and rookie memorabilia.

Why It Matters: Every aspect of the NIL whirlwind in collegiate sports could be bleeding into the professional level. You’ll notice that pro athletes can command much more in sponsorship deals, but they often sign over unseen aspects to players’ unions when they become part of the league (ie. jerseys, autographs, memorabilia, etc.).

Is Harrison Jr. trying to shake down the NFLPA? Or is this a simple miscommunication? We still don’t know the why, but he did say he would “do what’s best for me moving forward.” There are also reports that Harrison Jr. has a beef with Fanatics — the NFL apparel distributor — stemming from his Ohio State days. On or off the field, Maserati Marv is a difference-maker.

Read More

FOX Sports: Why Arizona Cardinals Fans Still Can’t Buy a Marvin Harrison Jr. Jersey

Awful Announcing: Marvin Harrison Jr. Jersey Fight Reportedly Stems From College Battle With Fanatics

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

🏒 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Gm 6: Maple Leafs def. Bruins (2-1)

Series Tied (3-3)

William Nylander (2G), Toronto Force Game 7

⚾️ MLB

Mets def. Cubs (7-6, 11 Innings)

Francisco Lindor Hits Walk-Off, 2-Run Double

Marlins def. Rockies (5-4, 10 Innings)

Jesus Sanchez Knocks In Luis Arraez for Walk-Off Win

Orioles def. Yankees (7-2)

Pitcher Kyle Bradish (5 Ks) Solid in ’24 Debut

⚽️ Soccer

EPL: Chelsea def. Tottenham (2-0)

Pochettino Knocks Former Team From Top-4 Hopes

🎾 Tennis (Madrid Open)

W: #1 I. Swiatek def. #18 M. Keys (6-1, 6-3)

W: #2 A. Sabalenka def. #4 E. Rybakina (1-6, 7-5, 7-6)

M: #30 J. Lehecka def. #3 D. Medvedev (6-4, W/O)

  STORYLINES   

🏀 LeBron’s Laker Future

It isn’t practical to build your NBA team around a 40-year-old. It could be time for the Lakers to consider their next star and for LeBron to consider his next team. (The Ringer)

🏈 ‘Doomsday’ in Dallas

The Cowboys didn’t make any splashes this offseason, and it’s the final contract year for QB Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy. It’s a do-or-die year for Dallas. (Yahoo! Sports)

⚽️ Who Will Win the Premier League?

Arsenal (80 pts), Man. City (79 pts), and Liverpool (75 pts) are in a tight final stretch of the Premier League season. With three-to-four matches left, who has the edge? (NBC Sports)

  NEWS   📰 

🏈 Georgia Makes Kirby Smart the Highest-Paid Coach in College Football (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 UConn’s Donovan Clingan Reportedly in the Mix for No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft (B/R)

🏈 Steelers Reportedly Eyes Justin Fields as Potential Returner (ESPN)

⛳️ Tiger Woods Gets Special Exemption to Play in U.S. Open (CBS Sports)

Suns Governor Mat Ishbia Says He Won’t Blow Up Roster (B/R)

⚾️ Stephen A. Smith Blasted by MLB Fans for Insulting Take on Mike Trout Injury (SI)

⚾️ Dodgers’ Walker Buehler Set to Make 1st Start Since 2022 on Monday (FOX Sports)

🏁 U.S. Congress Asks F1 for Formal Explanation After Rejecting Michael Andretti’s Bid to Own Team (Yahoo! Sports)

  WEEKEND SCHEDULE   🗓️

The Weekend Must-Watch List

🏇 The 150th Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs (Sat. 6:57 pm, NBC)

🏀 NBA Playoffs

Gm 6: Cavaliers at Magic (Fri. 7:00 pm, ESPN)

Gm 6: Clippers at Mavericks (Fri. 9:30 pm, ESPN)

Gm 1: Timberwolves at Nuggets (Sat. 7:00 pm, TNT)

*Gm 7: Mavericks at Clippers (Sun. 1:00 pm, ABC)

*Gm 7: Magic at Cavaliers (Sun. 8:00 pm, TNT)

*If Necessary

🏒 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Gm 6: Canucks at Predators (Fri. 7:00 pm, TNT)

Gm 6: Stars at Golden Knights (Fri. 10:00 pm, TNT)

Gm 7: Maple Leafs at Bruins (Sat. 8:00 pm, ABC)

*Gm 7: Golden Knights at Stars (Sun. TBD)

*Gm 7: Predators at Canucks (Sun. TBD)

*If Necessary

⚾️ MLB

Cubs-Brewers Weekend Series

Braves-Dodgers Weekend Series

Full MLB Schedule

⚽️ Soccer

EPL: Liverpool vs. Tottenham (Sun. 11:30 am, NBC)

MLS: Inter Miami vs. NY Red Bulls (Sat. 7:30 pm, AppleTV)

NWSL: Gotham FC vs. NC Courage (Sat. 7:30 pm, ION)

🎾 Tennis (Madrid Open)

W Final: #1 I. Swiatek vs. #2 A. Sabalenka (Sat. TBD)

M Semis: Today (Fri. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm)

M Final: TBD (Sunday)

🥊 Boxing

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia (Sat. 10:00 pm, PPV)

🏁 Racing

F1: Miami Grand Prix (Sun. 4:00 pm)

*All Times ET

Enjoy the weekend!

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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