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Kentucky Derby 2015

Discussion in 'The Sports Book' started by fuseli, Feb 17, 2015.

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  1. fuseli

    fuseli Tourist

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    We're in Vegas 27 April through May 3, staying at Aria then Palazzo.
    One of the reasons I wanted to stay that weekend was to see the Kentucky Derby.
    Is this a "big thing" in Vegas?
    I know rates are high that weekend but assume that's much more about the Mayweather May fight that may or may not happen, and Cinco de Mayo?
    Any recommendations on the best race/sportsbook to watch at?
    I'm not a huge fan of the Venetian sportsbook (and find the Lagasse stadium set-up frankly odd), but won't have a car so would like to stay on strip.

    Thanks for any insight!
     
  2. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    check with your hotel to see if they are having a Derby party? many casinos do.
     
  3. fuseli

    fuseli Tourist

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    Cheers; sounds promising. I wasn't sure if it was seen as a major event in Vegas.
     
  4. chitownjohn

    chitownjohn High-Roller

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    Richard Eng, handicapper for the LVRJ always promotes South Point, they have a ballroom style party. That's off strip so it probably doesn't work for you.

    Mirage is my favorite strip book, huge 85 foot HD screen is awesome. I'm not sure if they have a "derby party" but I'm sure it's a fun atmosphere.
     
  5. chopper

    chopper Tourist

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    Stay away from Cosmo or aria books. They are tiny. If you can reserve a seat, I would hang out at the remodeled CP sportsbook
     
  6. chopper

    chopper Tourist

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    I would stay away from the Cosmo or Aria sports book because they are very tiny. I myself would love to hang out at Caesars Palace in their newly remodeled sports book. Being in Vegas for the derby is on my bucket list because once the race is over there's plenty of gambling to do!
     
  7. fuseli

    fuseli Tourist

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    I like Aria but agree it's way too small. Might check out Caesar's or Mirage if there's nothing special going on at V/P where we are staying.
    I'm presuming an event like the Derby actually gets shown on the "BIG" screens; normally when I'm in Vegas racing is relegated to one side while baseball/basketball are on.
    Thanks for the suggestions.
     
  8. NativeSoCal

    NativeSoCal Low-Roller

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    I've been in Vegas for several Kentucky Derbys. (on the strip)

    Venetian, Harrah's, Mirage, Monte Carlo, LVH.

    It really doesn't seem to be that big of a deal in the casinos.
    Never saw a "Derby party"

    It's typically business as usual in the book, up until about an hour or two before the actual Derby.
    Then you get all the yahoos who have never bet a horse race before crowd the book and making their bets.
    The betting lines back up like crazy. Most have no idea how to bet. They take forever. :rolleyes2:

    They always put the Derby up on all the screens, including the main big screens in the book, and throughout the casino.

    It truly is "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports"

    After the race, all is back to normal.
     
  9. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    I've been the past two Kentucky Derbys and I'm going again this year.

    There's almost always a fight going on this weekend as well.

    Last year I watched the Derby at the Aria book. It was packed for the actual race but was pretty empty the rest of the afternoon. We got seats and showed up about 15-20 minutes before the race. People walked in right before the race and walked out immediately after its conclusion.
     
  10. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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  11. etm117

    etm117 Low-Roller

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    I've been during 2 Derby weekends. Both times I just watched with the giant crowd around the Caesar's sports book. It isn't a party per-se but it is a large group of people all screaming and jumping for the 2 minutes of the race. I highly recommend it.

    2 notes in case you do go. Place your bets early on Derby day, the lines get ridiculously long especially with newbies who don't know how to bet. Also, if doing the Caesars thing, grab some drinks from a casino bar on the way in as you will probably not get service there with how big the crowd is. (though they did recently open that new bar next to the sports book, I just don't know how good or bad that will be)
     
  12. feeltheheat

    feeltheheat Low-Roller

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    that week(end) is also the NFL draft and a possible mayweather vs pacquiao fight.
     
  13. bubbamsu

    bubbamsu Low-Roller

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    That weekend just turned into one of the best sports days in a long time. Las Vegas will be insane With the addition of the Paq/Mayweather fight, plus the Derby, NHL,NBA,MLB and the NFL draft.

    We have already started planning the neighborhood party. There is going to be some severely hung over people on Sunday.
     
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