Sports Betting Weekend: Derby on Docket
Bettors will turn their attention to Churchill Downs this weekend for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby. And whoever wins the Derby will have big horseshoes to fill after American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win last year.
The Derby favorite at online sportsbook Bovada is Nyquist at +300. During his short racing career all Nyquist has done is win with seven first-place finishes. That includes victories in the Florida Derby, San Vicente Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Also getting the oddsmakers' attention from the 22-horse field are Exaggerator at +750, Mohaymen at +800, and Gun Runner at +1400. Exaggerator won the Santa Anita Stakes, Mohaymen finished first in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Gun Runner ended up in the winner’s circle at the Louisiana Derby.
In the NBA this weekend the second round of the playoffs continues Friday night with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Atlanta Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Cavaliers are up 2-0 on Atlanta following a dominating 123-98 win as a 7-point favorite in Game 2. Cleveland has won nine in a row versus Atlanta with an 8-1 record against the spread.
The Spurs and Thunder clash for the first time since the Thunder’s controversial 98-97 win in Game 2 as a 7.5-point underdog. Heading home could put Oklahoma City in the driver’s seat; at home the Thunder are 11-2 SU and ATS in their last 13 games versus San Antonio.
Also on tap this weekend, the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers meet in Game 3 of their series on Saturday. The Warriors are up 2-0 and easily won Game 2 by a score of 110-99 as a 9-point favorite. They’re 8-1 SU and ATS in their last nine games against Portland.
In the NHL the lone game on Friday night is the Tampa Bay Lightning at the New York Islanders. The Lightning took Game 3 by a score of 5-4 in overtime to go up 2-1 in the series.
Looking ahead to Saturday the Washington Capitals will look to avoid elimination in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After losing Game 4 the Capitals are 1-5 in their last six games against Pittsburgh.
In a full MLB weekend schedule the series to watch is an NL Central showdown between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. Earlier this season the Pirates swept a three-game series against the Cardinals. In St. Louis the Cardinals are 9-3 in their last 12 games against Pittsburgh.