Mike Battaglia and the Kentucky Derby

Mike Battaglia and the Kentucky Derby

Mike Battaglia has been making the morning line for Churchill Downs for nearly 40 years now. This includes the Kentucky Derby, which many odds makers believe is the most difficult race to predict. Huge fields, immature horses and unpredictable betting make the race so difficult to judge.  The morning line usually gives fans an idea of what to expect if they pick the winning horses.

Although he is seen less regularly at Churchill nowadays, Battagglia believes his job is not easier. Technology has allowed him to watch races from anywhere, but he still covers the 100 miles from his home to Churchill occasionally. Mike was born to a former racetrack manager, John Battaglia. He has racing in his blood and despite being good at accounting, he realised that he was better on the track rather at office work. It proved to be a good move for him as he was soon making the line for Churchill and Keeneland.