'Field' 7-2 Choice in First Oaks Future Pool

The first of three pools of betting in Churchill Downs' 2006 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager drew to a close Sunday evening with the mutuel field standing as a solid 7-2 favorite over individual 3-year-old filly stars Folklore and Wild Fit.

The mutuel field includes all 3-year-old fillies other than the 23 individual horses in the pool. After four days of wagering, the price floated up a bit on the two leading individual wagers, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) winner Folklore, who cloased at 601, and the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) winner Wild Fit, who stood at 7-1.

Wagering for the four-day opening pool of the Oaks Future wager totaled $66,548. The betting total was the second largest for an individual betting pool since the Oaks Future bet went to a three-pool format in 2004. The wager is entering its fourth year and was introduced in 2003 in a single-pool format.

Pool 2 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager is scheduled for March 2-5, and the third and final pool is set for April 6-9. The 132nd Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) will be run May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Other fillies that attracted support included Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) runner-up Balance at 13-1; Golden Rod (gr. II) winner French Park (15-1); Demoiselle winner (gr. II) Wonder Lady Anne L (18-1); Frizette (gr. I) and Spinaway (gr. II) winner Adieu (18-1); Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Lassie (gr. III) winner Original Spin (19-1); and Sabatini, also 19-1.

2006 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Pool 1 (Final)
No, Horse/Odds ($2 Payout)
1. Adieu/18-1 (38.40)
2. Baghdaria/45-1 (92.20)
3. Balance/13-1 (29.80)
4. Better Now/43-1 (89.80)
5. Celestial Legend/38-1 (79.80)
6. Dance Daily/42-1 (87.40)
7. Daytime Promise/46-1 (95.60)
8. Diplomat Lady/26-1 (55.40)
9. Ex Caelis/24-1 (50.00)
10. Folklore/6-1 (15.60)
11. French Park/15-1 (32.60)
12. Itty Bitty Pretty/25-1 (53.40)
13. Original Spin/19-1 (41.00)
14. Sabatini/19-1 (40.80)
15. Seam Seeker/53-1 (108.20)
16. Sensation/36-1 (74.60)
17. Silvestris/66-1 (134.60)
18. Somethinaboutbetty/28-1 (58.40)
19. Sugar Swirl/36-1 (75.00)
20. Wait A While/49-1 (100.20)
21. Wild Fit/7-1 (16.00)
22. Wonder Lady Anne L/18-1 (39.80)
23. Yachats/37-1 (76.60)
24. All Other 3YO fillies/7-2 (9.00)
Total: $66,548