Folklore, Balance Top Oaks Wager at Midpoint

(from Churchill Downs)
Beverly Lewis' Folklore, the 2-year-old filly champion of 2005, and Amerman Racing Stable's Balance, winner of the Las Virgenes (gr. I) at Santa Anita in her most recent start, are 6-1 co-favorites as the four-day second pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Oaks Future Wager reached its midway point on Friday.

Folklore, who capped her championship season for trainer D. Wayne Lukas with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), opened Friday's betting at 10-1 but saw her odds drift steadily downward during the day. Balance, a daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Thunder Gulch trained by David Hofmans, was the 9-2 favorite at the end of Thursday's opening session of Pool 2.

Wild Fit, winner of the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) and runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Las Virgenes, was the 8-1 third choice after two days of Oaks Future betting. Old Hat (gr. III) winner Misty Rosette stood at 11-1. Also at 11-1 was the mutuel field, which includes all 3-year-old fillies other than the 23 individual betting interests in Pool 2.

A total of $8,277 was wagered during the first two days of KOFW Pool 2. Betting in the pool will resume at noon (all times Eastern) on Saturday and is scheduled to close at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that is scheduled for May 5.

KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE WAGER POOL 2 - DAY 2
Entry # Filly, Odds, $ Wagered
1. Adieu, 18/1 353
2. Baghdaria, 70/1 97
3. Balance, 6/1 874
4. Better Now, 38/1, 177
5. Celestial Legend, 31/1, 215
6. *Crystal Current, 21/1 304
7. Diplomat Lady, 43/1, 155
8. Ex Caelis, 21/1, 303
9. Folklore, 6/1, 959
10. French Park, 18/1, 349
11. *India, 34/1, 197
12. Itty Bitty Pretty, 19/1, 344
13. *Joint Effort, 29/1, 229
14. *Misty Rosette, 11/1, 536
15. Original Spin, 17/1, 375
16. *Private World, 47/1, 143
17. Sabatini, 39/1, 171
18. *Sierra Sweetie, 37/1, 182
19. *Sweet Belle, 18/1, 353
20. *Sweet Sugaree, 89/1, 77
21. Wait A While, 15/1, 417
22. Wild Fit, 8/1, 735
23. Wonder Lady Anne L, 38/1, 174
24. All Other 3YO fillies, 11/1, 559
Total: $8,277
* - New Filly in Pool 2