What's On Tap: Djokovic Seeks Record-Tying 8th Wimbledon Title
Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more. Also, check out our weekly review, “Get a Grip,” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, July 10
Special meeting on Kentucky sports betting rules
With less than two months before the start of the college football season, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will hold a special meeting Monday to review proposed sports wagering regulations. Once the regulations are adopted, the KHRC will begin the process of license approval for potential sports betting operators.
Industry stakeholders widely expect Kentucky to go live with sports betting in time for the opening of the 2023 football season.
Alonso favored in MLB Home Run Derby
While several players have won multiple titles in the history of the MLB Home Run Derby, Ken Griffey Jr. is the only player to ever win the title three times. New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso can tie Griffey’s mark with a win at Monday’s Derby in Seattle. At bet365, Alonso has odds of +300 to capture the title, just ahead of Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+360). There’s a deep field of contestants, with six of the eight carrying odds of less than +1000.
The entrants may also benefit from improved monitoring by Major League Baseball for Monday’s contest. Last year, a miscount by officials resulted in Albert Pujols’ victory over Kyle Schwarber when a homer by Pujols after the clock expired was incorrectly allowed. One bettor at Caesars lost $15,000 on the head-to-head winner, Action Network reported.
Wednesday, July 12
Gaming legislators conduct summer meeting
In the throes of the sleepy summer months, a coterie of state legislators will meet in Denver for one of the nation’s largest gambling conferences. The National Council of Legislators From Gaming States 2023 Summer Meeting opens Wednesday for a four-day conference. The event will be headlined by a keynote address by David Highhill of the NFL.
Highhill, who serves as the league’s vice president of sports betting, will address the conference at a time when a host of players have faced gambling-related suspensions. Last month, the NFL suspended former Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers and three others for violating the league’s sports betting policy.
Thursday, July 13
Nation’s most prestigious horse racing meet begins
The gates open at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday for the historic track’s 2023 summer meet. The 40-day meet features 71 graded stakes, worth $20.8 million in total purses. The Saratoga schedule includes the $1.25 million Travers Stakes for 3-year-olds, as well as the $1 million Whitney Stakes for older horses.
Cody’s Wish, the defending Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile champion, enters the meet as the undisputed favorite for Older Horse of the Year honors. Undefeated in his last six starts, Cody’s Wish is being pointed to the Whitney on Aug. 5. Meanwhile, the Travers may feature the five top 3-year-olds from Horse Racing Nation’s rankings of the class. The “Midsummer Derby” could be headlined by Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Florida Derby winner Forte, and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo. All five are pointed for top graded stakes on the East Coast this summer.
The $175,000 Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes serves as the featured race on opening day. Closing Act, who is 2-for-2 in her young career, will headline a field of 2-year-old fillies. Closing Act won by 3 1/4 lengths in last month’s Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park. The card on Saturday will also feature the Grade I Diana Stakes for older fillies on turf. The Diana is one of three graded stakes on the card.
Sunday, July 16
Djokovic-Alcaraz on collision course at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak on Wimbledon’s Centre Court to 43 matches on Monday with a hard-fought, four-set win over Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, will face Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarterfinals. Djokovic has not lost on the court in 10 years. Also on Monday, top seed Carlos Alcaraz will face 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini with a spot in the quarters on the line.
As of Monday morning, Djokovic and Alcaraz remained as the only men with odds under +500 to win the tournament. Djokovic has Rublev and Jannik Sinner on his side of the draw, while Alcaraz has to navigate past a challenging section that includes Daniil Medvedev, Chris Eubanks, and Holger Rune. Eubanks, an upstart American, upset No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Monday.
Djokovic could win a record-tying eighth Wimbledon title in Sunday’s final, while Alcaraz is seeking his first. Medvedev is the third choice at FanDuel with odds of +1000.
