Churchill Downs has announced the dates for the three pools of the 2005 Kentucky Derby Future Wager and Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. The Derby and Oaks Future Wagers will run concurrently in three four-day (Thurs.-Sun.) pools. The dates for 2005 are: POOL 1 - Feb. 10-13; POOL 2 - March 10-13; POOL 3 - April 7-10 The dates require final approval from the Kentucky Racing Authority. The Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which allows racing fans to bet on candidates for the Kentucky Derby at odds that may be more attractive than those they would receive on Derby Day, is entering its seventh year. The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager is entering its third year and will be conducted in a three-pool format for the second consecutive year. The Oaks wager was offered in a single pool in its first year in 2003. The winning payout for each pool is based on the odds at the close of betting of that specific pool. Payouts are made when each race is declared "official." Both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks future wager is a $2 minimum bet. Each wager is to win only.
The 131st Kentucky Derby, which matches 3-year-olds at 1 ΒΌ miles, is May 7. The Kentucky Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile race restricted to 3-year-old fillies, will also be renewed for the 131st time on May 6.
