There was plenty of support for unbeaten champion Uncle Mo (#23) during three strong days of betting in Churchill Downs’ first Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool of 2011, but the final result was very familiar: the mutuel field (#24), or “All Others,” ranked as a solid favorite when betting on the three-day pool concluded early Feb. 20.
The “All Others” betting interest was the 2-1 choice over Uncle Mo, Repole Stable’s reigning 2-year-old champion who was the 7-2 second choice when the first of three 2011 Kentucky Derby Future pools wound to a close. The mutuel field includes all 3-year-old other than the 23 individual horses listed among Pool 1’s wagering interests. This is the 13th year for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which was launched in 1999, and “All Others” has been favored in the opening pool in each of those years.
Betting was brisk throughout the pool with a near-record $592,492 in thes win and exacta pools during the three-day session. The Pool 1 betting total is the second-largest single pool total in KDFW history, trailing only the $620,362 wagered during the opening pool in 2005. The 2011 Pool 1 total includes $480,375 wagered to win and $112,117 in exacta bets.
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager provides fans with opportunities to wager on potential contenders for the 137th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at odds that could be much more attractive than those available on race day. It offers win and exacta wagering, and all bets are $2 minimum wagers. No refunds will be made on any wager made during a KDFW pool. If it is determined during any pool that an individual horse has suffered an illness, injury, or other circumstance that would prevent the betting interest from competing in Kentucky Derby, wagering on the horse will be suspended immediately.
Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) winner Dialed In (#7) was the overall third choice at 8-1. Remsen Stakes (gr. II) winner To Honor and Serve (#22) closed at 10-1 and unbeaten Brethren (#3), the unbeaten half brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, stood at odds of 15-1.
KDFW Pool 2 is set for March 11-13 and the year’s final pool is set for April 1-3. The Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 7 at Churchill Downs. Information on the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, including real-time KDFW Pool 1 odds, is available at the official Kentucky Derby Web site at www.KentuckyDerby.com.