Kentucky Derby Survival Guide: What to know, how to bet, what not to drink

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — So, you've never been to Louisville, and you have no reason to know anything about the Kentucky Derby, but this is the year you finally pay attention?

No worries. Here are some basics to help you sound smart at your neighbor's Derby party Saturday:

+ The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May every year at Churchill Downs, in Louisville.

+ This year will be the 149th running of the race, often referred to as "The Run For The Roses."

+ The Kentucky Derby is the first and most coveted jewel of the Triple Crown. The others are the Preakness Stakes (May 20) and the Belmont Stakes (June 10).

+ Winning all three races is a rarity; following a 37-year drought, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015. Justify would turn the trick just three years later, becoming only the 13th horse in history to win all three races.

+ This year's race marks the 50th anniversary of the fastest winning time in history. Secretariat covered the 1 1/4-mile track in 1:59.4. He would go on to set race records at the Preakness and the Belmont, becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, and is still considered by many as the greatest racehorse in history.

+ This year's field will be comprised of the maximum 20 horses.

+ Also referred to as "The most exciting two minutes in sports," the race is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. ET.

+ As of this writing, Forte is the favorite to win it.

Here are some notes on wagering and vernacular:

+ "Across the board" is an easy bet for beginners. Let's say you like Forte's chances. At 3-1 as of this writing, your payout won't be great, but if you want to experience the thrill of cashing a winning ticket, betting on Forte is a solid move. A $1 "across the board" bet is essentially three bets -- so it will cost you $3 -- because you're picking him to either win, place or show. The wager will show up as "WPS" on your slip. A $2 "across the board" bet will cost you $6, a $5 "across the board" bet will cost you $15, etc.

+ If you don't understand odds, using the example above with Forte being at 3-1, placing a $10 win bet will get you back a total of $30.

+ An "exacta" bet is when you pick two horses, a "trifecta" is three horses, a "superfecta" is four horses.

+ If you "box" any of these bets, as opposed to predicting the order of finish, you are just saying your horses will finish in no specific order. For example, an "exacta box" on horses 5 and 9 means you'll win as long as 5 and 9 finish in the top two, no matter which order. Your chances to win increase when you "box" the bet, but your payout potential decreases.

+ There are far more exotic ways to lose money at the track, and I'm pretty sure I've experienced most of them. PM me for tips on wheels and Daily Doubles and Pick 6s.

+ In all seriousness, look up Louisville-based sportswriter Jody Demling. He is your man to follow if you want to cash a winning ticket. He's successfully hit 10 of the last 14 Oaks-Derby doubles. We'll get to Oaks in a minute.

How do I know which horses to bet?

I wouldn't be writing this for you if I knew that answer, but if you buy yourself a program at the track or check the free HorseRacingNation site or the paywalled Daily Racing Form right here, you should keep an eye out for the following:

+ Past performances: Look at the previous races and check for track conditions, race distances and split times, particularly the final furlong. In the far right columns, you'll find some notes indicating whether a horse finished strong or faded late, which other Derby contenders he may have raced against and other insightful details.

+ Bloodlines and connections: Who is the horse's sire (father) and who is the dam (mother), and did either or both of them enjoy much success in their racing careers? Knowing where the horse came from -- including ownership, stable and trainer -- also is helpful. And some jockey names to be mindful of are Jose Ortiz (he'll be aboard Kingsbarns), John Velazquez (Reincarnate), Javier Castellano (Mage), Joel Rosario (Disarm) and Irad Ortiz (Forte).

+ Past workouts: In addition to finding data on a horse's past race performances, his recent workouts also are relevant. You can find that information on the very bottom of each horse's entry in the program. It will tell you which track, that track's condition, split times and more.

Any other tips?

+ Get to Churchill for a Derby while you can. It already welcomes about 150,000 people every Derby, which is great, but there is an expansion project seemingly every offseason that will eventually price some folks out of the Derby experience.

+ Oaks Day is on Friday, the Day before Derby Day, and is kind of considered Louisville's Derby Day. Many locals take the day off from work to go to the track and then skip the track on Saturday in favor of a Derby party, avoiding the large, out-of-town crowds. The Oaks race on Friday is for fillies (female horses) and is the biggest race on the card that day.

+ If you enjoy people-watching, you must go to a Kentucky Derby. Women wear big, colorful hats and lovely dresses, and the gentlemen sport seersucker suits and bowties. There are also plenty of other people.

+ The mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it is overrated. Sorry, not sorry. Some locals might try a bourbon mojito instead.

+ Unless you're in college, don't go to the infield.

+ One last thing: The last hour before the race is very cool if you're a credentialed photographer. I've set up a dozen times on the track, on the inside of the outer rail, on the dirt, just north of the finish line. It's best to get there an hour before race time because you'll see the parade of every horse and its many connections (owners, trainer, jockey, hangers-on, etc.) make the long walk from the backside to the paddock. It is a scene. Then, for the next half hour or so, you make small talk with the folks in the front rows and they often have interesting stories. Then, in the final minutes, as 150,000 sing "My Old Kentucky Home," the anxiety is building. Finally, you hear, "And they're off," as the gate opens and as the pack of 20 horses approaches you, the ground underneath you shakes and you realize how fleeting that once-a-year goosebump moment feels.