Indian Blessing 3-1 in Oaks Future Bet

Unbeaten Indian Blessing, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2007 and the favorite for Saturday’s Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), was a strong 3-1 favorite following the first of four days of betting on Pool 2 of Churchill Downs’ 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Hal and Patti Earnhardt’s daughter of Indian Charlie, the winner of last fall’s Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and the recent Silverbulletday (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, was the favorite in last month’s first of three pools in the 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

The mutuel field, the betting interest that includes all 3-year-old fillies other than the 23 individual horses in Pool 2, was the bettors’ 9-2 second choice at the end of the pool’s opening day. Davona Dale (gr. II) winner Bsharpsonata was the third choice at 7-1, and was followed by Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) winner Country Star at 9-1.

There was $4,677 wagered on the first day. Betting on Pool 2 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager is scheduled to resume at noon (all times Eastern) on March 7. The pool will close at 6:30 p.m. on March 9, 30 minutes after the conclusion of betting in the companion Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Winning payouts will be based on odds that are in place at the conclusion of wagering in Pool 2.The third and final pool of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager is scheduled for April 3-6, while the 134th running of the Kentucky Oaks is set for May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Other fillies that attracted solid support during the first day of Pool 2 betting included Eight Belles, winner of a division of Oaklawn’s Martha Washington, at 11-1; and unbeaten Pure Clan, who is scheduled to launch her 2008 season in Oaklawn’s Honeybee (gr. III), at 12-1.

Real time odds on Pool 2 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager are available on the official Kentucky Oaks Web site at www.kentuckyoaks.com.