A Chicago man has won the chance to place a life-changing $100,000 win bet in
Saturday’s 137th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Dave Flores, who lives in the Southside of Chicago, was randomly drawn to
place the free wager in conjunction with the $100,000 Derby Dream Bet
Sweepstakes, which was offered for the second consecutive year thanks to a
partnership between Churchill Downs and NBC Sports. A year ago, Glen Fullerton
of Houston won $900,000 when Super Saver won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 8-1.
Flores says he “never misses” the Kentucky Derby, and estimates that he’s
attended the race at least 20 times. This year, he’ll have a VIP trip for two to
the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) (includes airfare, lodging and ground
transportation) and the chance to place a $100,000 win bet on any horse in the
Kentucky Derby. If the horse wins, Flores will keep the winnings, just as
Fullerton did a year ago.
Flores, who met his fiancé, a Louisville native, at the Kentucky Oaks four
years ago, works in a metal manufacturing shop. When notified about winning the
opportunity to place the $100,000 Derby Dream Bet, he thought it was a prank.
NBC Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 137th Kentucky Derby will air from 4-7
p.m. (EDT) on Saturday.