Edited press release
On a day marked by a pair of strong efforts by major Kentucky Derby contenders alongside two major upset, fans of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby Future Wager continued to turn to the “all others” option in their search for a betting option and that wagering interest is a narrow favorite as Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future bet headed into its final day.
The mutuel field, which represents all 3-year-olds other than the 22 individual horses on the Pool 2 betting roster, remained the narrow bettor’s choice at 5-1 after an exciting day of four significant Kentucky Derby preps headlined by the upset by 56-1 shot Win Willy over previously unbeaten Old Fashioned the Rebel (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park and the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, which was the scene of an overwhelming 7 ¼-length victory by favored Friesan Fire. The day’s other preps saw highly regarded Pioneerof the Nile win the San Felipe (gr. II) over the Cushion Track surface at Santa Anita and Musket Man score a last-gasp victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). Neither Win Willy nor Musket Man is among the individual horses in KDFW Pool 2, and therefore are members of the “all others” betting interest.
Ten of Pool 2’s 22 individual horses were in action on Saturday as total “win” betting through three days of the four-day pool rose to $146,408. This pool is the first in Kentucky Derby Future Wager history to offer exacta betting, and the wagering total in the exacta pool had climbed to $41,874 by Saturday evening.
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager allows bettors to wager on contenders for the May 2 “Run for the Roses” at Churchill Downs at odds that could be more attractive than those available on the day of the race. Wagering on KDFW Pool 2 will resume at noon (all times EDT) on Sunday, March 15. Sunday’s final day betting will conclude at 6 p.m.
Despite his shocking upset loss in the Rebel, the Larry Jones-trained Old Fashioned continued to attract strong Pool 2 support and also ended the day at odds of 6-1 and remained the favored individual horse. Unbeaten Dunkirk also stood at 6-1, but slightly more money had been wagered on Old Fashioned during the pool’s first three days. Sham (gr. III) winner The Pamplemousse was the 8-1 fourth choice.
The biggest odds shift of the day followed the Louisiana Derby romp by Friesan Fire, who ended Saturday’s betting as the pool’s 10-1 fifth betting choice. That Larry Jones trainee had opened Saturday’s betting at 22-1. I Want Revenge was next at 11-1.
Real time odds, exacta payouts and other information on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager are available on the official event Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.
