Mattress Mack is betting $1.5M on Epicenter minutes before post in 2022 Kentucky Derby

Brooks Holton, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read
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Jim McIngvale is back at Churchill Downs for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. And, if you thought his $1.3 million bet on Essential Quality last year was wild, wait until you hear what the man affectionally referred to as "Mattress Mack" has in store for the 148th Run for the Roses.

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale watches batting practice prior to Game 5 of the 2021 World Series at Truist Park.
Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale watches batting practice prior to Game 5 of the 2021 World Series at Truist Park.

"I'm gonna bet a lot," said McIngvale, 71, who founded Gallery Furniture in 1981 with his wife, during an interview with TVG in the Churchill Downs paddock.

By "a lot," the Houston businessman said that meant betting anywhere between $3 to $4 million on the favorite. Turns out, he went with a $1.5 million bet on Epicenter, who is looking to end trainer Steve Asmussen's 0-for-23 Derby slump.

"I'm thrilled with the selection of Epicenter. He's gonna be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby," McIngvale told Bleacher Report. "I love Epicenter. He's a great horse. I like his jockey a lot. I really like Steve Asmussen, because he is a Texan, and his family has deep Texas roots to the horse racing business. They've been at it for generations. Great people, and I think Steve's due to win the Kentucky Derby."

For those unfamiliar with McIngvale, his hefty bet is done as insurance to cover a promotion Gallery Furniture offers that allows customers who buy $3,000 in furniture or a mattress valued at $3,000 or higher to receive their purchase for free if the Derby favorite wins.

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Both Epicenter and Taiba led the 20-horse field with 5-1 odds for most of Saturday afternoon. On Tuesday, McIngvale told BloodHorse "if both horses are three-and-a-half to one a minute before the race starts, then I've got to take a stand."

"If my bet happens to establish the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, then so be it," he added.

That ended up being the case. McIngvale appeared alongside Steve Kornacki on NBC's Kentucky Derby broadcast after placing his bet on Epicenter, whose odds jumped to 4-1 heading into the starting gate.

McIngvale on Saturday told TVG he was feeling lucky at Churchill Downs.

"When Kansas won the Final Four, I won $14 million on that, so I broke my losing streak and expect my winning streak to keep going today at the great Kentucky Derby."

Watch McIngvale's full interview with TVG below.

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As for McIngvale's favorite horse in the 2022 Derby field, that would be Smile Happy, who will be running out of the No. 5 post position. The businessman was sporting a jacket with photos of the Kenny McPeek-trained horse on the inside and a hat that said "Run happy."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mattress Mack betting $1.5 million on Epicenter minutes before Derby