By Daniel Behringer for LVSportsBiz.com
That was the sound of an enthusiastic fan whooping it up Saturday at the race and sportsbook at Red Rock Resort. He was offering encouragement to Ty The Law, No. 8 and a 4/5 favorite in the Belmont Stakes, as the 3-year-old colt took command down the homestretch and won by nearly four lengths.
A woman sitting next to him seemed slightly embarrassed by the fan’s exuberance, but it didn’t faze the rooting fan.
The fan was one of many in a good-sized crowd at the book. Just before race time, the line for bettors made at least two U-turns through the heavy-plastic turnstiles before being called to a betting window.
In fact, it seemed like an almost normal Saturday at the local casino in western Las Vegas. It took three turns to find a spot in covered parking. A familiar cocktail server wearing a mask breezed past us with a loaded tray of drinks held upright. Another maskless woman, wearing a gold chain and clutching betting sheets, also passed us. Patrons crowded the bar near the race and sports book, and a nearby cart held unopened boxes of Heineken, Corona, Michelob Ultra, Budweiser and other beers.
Almost normal is key. Anecdotally, it might have been 80 percent of a normal Saturday, but people like the man hollering “C’mon baby” was perhaps typical of people craving excitement and gambling action inside on a 102-degree Saturday.
Anecdotally, too, there might have been a few more patrons wearing masks as people slowly grasp the concept of protecting others around them who in turn protect them from potential coronavirus infection by wearing a protective face covering. In fact, the percentage of masked customers might have approached 50 percent. Hopefully, the other 50 percent will catch on quickly.
Tiz The Law paid $3.60 $2.90 $2.60. Dr Post, which showed, paid $5.80 $4.20. Max Player placed and paid $5.20.
In a race year turned upside by the coronavirus, the Kentucky Derby will now go Sept. 5, and the Preakness will run on Oct. 3.
Elsewhere:
— Dustin Poirier is -200 and Dan Hooker is +175 in a UFC lightweight bout on June 27 at the UFC’s APEX site in southwestern Las Vegas.
— The Vegas Golden Knights are still +250 to win the top seed in the NHL Western Conference. The Knights are +300 to win the Western Conference and +800 to hoist the Stanley Cup in playoffs that may begin in late July or early August.
— The Dallas Cowboys are -2 and -125 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6, according to William Hill. The total is 34. A story on the William Hill website notes the Cowboys and Steelers, who met in Super Bowl XXX in 1996, are tied for most appearances in the Hall of Fame game with seven each.
— There’s still no agreement between Major League Baseball and the Players Association. The Players Association canceled a vote planned for Sunday on the league’s offer of a 60-game season. Still, Vegas Insider lists the top three favorites to win the World Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers at +375, the New York Yankees at +400 and the Houston Astros at +650. At the other end of the board, the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins are all +75000.