Based on a recent survey from Casino.org, racetracks should think about marketing the sport to Mississippi—and perhaps pushing for advance-deposit wagering and maybe even a live track there?
That summation is based on survey results of 3,000 people released by that website earlier this month that rated Mississippi as the "Ultimate Kentucky Derby State." Yes, that result included Kentucky.
Before I go further, I have to say I have my doubts about the Magnolia State nailing down that top spot over Kentucky, where kids are let out of school on Kentucky Oaks (G1) Friday, Louisville has about a month's worth of events ahead of the race, and people start talking about their Derby choices in the fall season before the race.
But, based on stories I've read about tailgate parties ahead of Ole Miss football games and the whopping six or seven days that I've spent in the state, I'm also well aware that Mississippians enjoy a good time. The state took the title based on its responders' love of the party-related categories as it scored an "85.7 out of 100" largely behind Kentucky Derby in-person attendance, hosting or attending Derby-themed parties, sipping an average of 2.3 mint juleps, planning to dress in their finest Derby attire, and participating in horse-themed games.
The take-home? Mississippi is ready for the first Saturday in May.
In the survey Kentucky finished second behind its responders' plans to watch the race and place bets. In that latter category, 75% of Kentuckian responders said they plan to bet the race and of that group they will average $80.58 in wagers—some 14% above the survey's national average.
New Mexico ranks third in Kentucky Derby fever, with a strong number in planned in-person attendance, 10%, and a hearty 75% planning to snack on classic Derby dishes. Rounding out the top 5 list were Washington and Idaho.
While I'm strictly filing this survey in the "fun" category, it did serve as a reminder of the tremendous reach of the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby Ratings
A look at the ratings by market that NBC releases points to the strength of the Derby throughout the region as well as in racing's hotbeds throughout the country. The race, of course, draws the strongest numbers in Louisville, Ky. Many of the markets that appeared in the 2023 top 10 are there each year.
Ranking second was the Cincinnati market, which includes a large population in Northern Kentucky. The fact that Knoxville, Tenn., ranked fourth also points to that regional interest.
In terms of racing hotbeds: Fort Myers, Fla., and West Palm Beach, Fla., ranked third and fifth in TV ratings while Buffalo, N.Y., ranked sixth, followed by New Orleans, Hartford, Conn., Baltimore, and Minneapolis.
