Curlin Favored at 7-2 in Final Derby Pool

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(from Churchill Downs report)
Unbeaten Curlin, a dazzling winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) on Saturday, emerged as a strong favorite over such accomplished rivals as 2006 2-year-old champion Street Sense and Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Nobiz Like Shobiz when betting drew to a close in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Curlin, a son of Smart Strike   owned by a partnership that includes Stonestreet Farm, Padua Stable, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stable, was the 7-2 choice when betting in the April 12-15 pool concluded on Sunday. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt romped to a record 10 1/2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby and was favored although he has had just three lifetime starts and did not race at 2.
           
The colt has won those three races by a combined margin of nearly 29 lengths. The last horse to win the Kentucky Derby off only three lifetime starts was the filly Regret in 1915. Curlin started his racing career in February and the last horse to win the "Run for the Roses" without the benefit of racing at 2 was Apollo in 1882.

Street Sense, named 2-year-old champion of 2006 after his record 10-length victory in the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) last fall at Churchill Downs, closed as the 6-1 second choice after losing a narrow nose decision to Dominican in Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) at Keeneland.  Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Circular Quay was the third choice at 9-1, followed by Wood Memorial winner Nobiz Like Shobiz at 10-1. 

Dominican, who was listed at 50-1 in the KDFW Pool 3 morning line odds and opened Saturday's betting at 70-1, closed at odds of 17-1 after his upset victory in the Toyota Blue Grass. Other horses that enjoyed solid support in KDFW Pool 3 included Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Scat Daddy (11-1), Lane's End (gr. II) winner Hard Spun (13-1), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Tiago (14-1), Any Given Saturday (14-1) and Great Hunter (15-1).

Fans at racetracks and satellite wagering outlets across the United States and Canada wagered $465,123 in KDFW Pool 3, which is the third highest total for the year's final pool since the wager was introduced in 1999. Total betting for the three KDFW pools of 2007 rose to $1,365,424, the fourth highest three-pool total in the bet's nine-year history.

The 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands is May 5 at Churchill Downs. Information is available at the official Kentucky Derby Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.

KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER -- POOL 3 FINAL

#	Wagering Interest	FINAL Odds	ML Odds	$2 Will Pay
1	Any Given Saturday	14-1	15-1	$31.80
2	Belgravia*	59-1	50-1	$121.80
3	Birdbirdistheword	SUSPENDED	50-1
4	Chelokee*	26-1	15-1	$55.00
5	Circular Quay	9-1	8-1	$21.40
6	Cowtown Cat*	20-1	15-1	$42.60
7	Curlin	7-2	12-1	$9.40
8	Deadly Dealer*	91-1	50-1	$185.60
9	Dominican*	17-1	50-1	$37.20
10	Great Hunter	15-1	10-1	$33.80
11	Hard Spun	13-1	12-1	$28.80
12	Liquidity	48-1	30-1	$99.60
13	Nobiz Like Shobiz	10-1	6-1	$22.00
14	Notional	SUSPENDED	15-1
15	Officer Rocket	119-1	50-1	$240.80
16	Reporting for Duty*	181-1	50-1	$364.00
17	Sam P.	55-1	30-1	$113.80
18	Scat Daddy	11-1	8-1	$24.40
19	Stormello	47-1	20-1	$97.00
20	Street Sense	6-1	5-1	$15.40
21	Teuflesberg	96-1	50-1	$195.40
22	Tiago*	14-1	15-1	$31.80
23	Zanjero	37-1	30-1	$76.60
24	All Other 3YOs	25-1	20-1	$52.60

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