(from Kentucky Derby release)
IEAH Stable and Paul Pompa Jr.’s unbeaten Big Brown, the dominating winner of last week’s Florida Derby (gr. I), took on the look of the ultimate favorite for the $2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) when he finished as a solid 3-1 choice in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs’ 2008 Derby Future Wager April 6.
The 3-year-old son of Boundary is perfect in three career starts. Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.’s star was a clear choice over Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Pyro, the winner of the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and the 5-1 second choice in Pool 3. Big Brown was not included among the individual betting interests in the first two pools of the 2008 KDFW. The only Derby winner to be omitted from the first two Derby Future pools before being added to the roster of wagering interests in the year’s final pool was Smarty Jones in 2004.
Wagering on Pool 3 totaled $291,835 during its April 3-6 run. A total of $1,056,520 was wagered on all three pools in 2008. Total betting on the wager topped the $1 million mark for the ninth consecutive time in its 10-year history. Winning payouts are based on each pool’s final odds.
A trio of weekend prep races had a significant impact on the pool’s odds. WinStar Farm’s Colonel John, an impressive winner in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), attracted strong support on the pool’s final day and was made the 6-1 third choice. Tale of Ekati, who upset War Pass in the Wood Memorial (gr. I), closed at 18-1 after his odds had floated as high as 77-1 early in the pool. War Pass closed at 14-1. Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Recapturetheglory was not a betting interest in Pool 3, so he was a member of the mutuel field, which included all 3-year-olds other than the 23 individual horses in the pool. The “all others” interest closed at 14-1.
More information on the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Future Wager are available on the official event Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.
