The wagering interest that includes all 3-year-olds other than the 23 individual horses in the opening Derby future pool of 2005 was a strong 2-1 favorite in a pool that set a record for total betting. A total of $620,362 was bet throughout North America between noon on Feb. 10 and the close of betting on Feb. 13. That total easily surpassed the $577,889 wagered during the first pool of 2002, the previous Pool 1 and single pool record.

The favored individual horse and overall second choice in KDFW Pool 1 was Jay Em Ess Stable's unbeaten juvenile champion Declan's Moon, who closed at 9-1. Fox Hill Farm's unbeaten Rockport Harbor, who will attempt to give Smarty Jones' trainer John Servis his second consecutive Derby victory, was next at 13-1.

Others that attracted strong support through the four days of betting included Afleet Alex (15-1), Roman Ruler (18-1), Harlington (19-1), and Sun King (19-1). Bandini closed at 20-1, while juvenile filly champion Sweet Catomine and unbeaten Lost In The Fog, who is not a Visa Triple Crown nominee, closed at 21-1.

The results of the weekend's Derby prep races served to make the field attractive. A member of the field won each of the preps. Scipion won the Risen Star (gr. III) at the Fair Grounds; Sort It Out took Aqueduct's Whirlaway; Stellar Magic won Bay Meadows' San Mateo Mile; General John B romped in the Turf Paradise Derby; and Fusaichi Rock Star pulled an upset in Sunday's San Vicente (gr. II) at Santa Anita.

Sunday's final day of KDFW Pool 1 saw racing fans wager $346,159 across North America.

There will be two more pools in the 2005 Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Pool 2 is set for March 10-13 and the third and final pool is scheduled for April 7-10. The 131st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is May 7.

2005 KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER POOL 1 -- FINAL
No. Wagering Interest/Odds ($ wagered)/$2 Will Pay
1. Afleet Alex/15-1 ($31,366)/$33.20
2. Bandini/20-1 (24,412)/$42.60
3. Closing Argument/53-1 (9,632)/$108.20
4. Consolidator/32-1 (15,727)/$66.20
5. Declan's Moon/9-1 (48,415)/$21.40
6. Galloping Grocer/39-1 (12,902)/$80.60
7. Giacomo/25-1 (19,990)/$52.00
8. Going Wild/28-1 (17,803)/$58.40
9. Greater Good/39-1 (12,783)/$81.40
10. Harlington/19-1 (24,983)/$41.60
11. High Fly/28-1 (17,544)/$59.40
12. High Limit/29-1 (17,032)/$61.00
13. Lost In The Fog*/21-1 (22,692)/$45.80
14. Proud Accolade/35-1 (14,207)/$73.20
15. Rockport Harbor/13-1 (36,373)/$28.60
16. Roman Ruler/18-1 (26,606)/$39.00
17. Rush Bay/65-1 (7,781)/$133.80
18. Spanish Chestnut/39-1 (12,759)/$81.60
19. Storm Surge/71-1 (7,158)/$145.60
20. Sun King/19-1 (25,455)/$40.80
21. Sweet Catomine (f)/21-1 (22,829)/$45.60
22. Texcess/83-1 (6,150)/$169.40
23. Wilko/23-1 (21,057)/$49.40
24. All Other 3-Year-Olds/2-1 (164,706)/$6.20