Fans Take Field in Final Derby Future Wager

An unsettling wave of upsets in this year's prep races left fans without an individual favorite in the final pool of the 2004 Kentucky Derby Future Wager. They opted instead for the field at odds of 6-1 as wagering closed Sunday.

The result marked the first time in the wager's six-year history that "all others" was favored in the final pool.

Pool 3's four-day run totaled $386,244, which lifted the combined wagering for this year's pools to $1,282,168 – the third-highest total in the Derby Future history. The Pool 3 total included $201,428 wagered during its final hours on Sunday.

This weekend's preps continued the trend of upsets this season. None of the four winners - Castledale in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), Pollard's Vision in the Illinois Derby (gr. II), Kaufy Mate in the Aventura at Gulfstream Park, and Bwana Charlie in Sunday's Lafayette (gr. III) at Keeneland – were listed among the individual betting interests in Pool 3 of the Future Wager. Kaufy Mate and Bwana Charlie are not nominated to the Kentucky Derby and Visa Triple Crown.

Among individual entries, Derby fans threw their strongest support to Someday Farm's Smarty Jones, an unbeaten son of Elusive Quality   and the likely favorite in next week's Arkansas Derby (gr. II). Smarty Jones had not been included among the individual betting interests in this year previous pair of Derby Futures pools, but closed as a clear 10-1 second choice in the final pool.

The Bobby Frankel-trained Master David stood as the 12-1 third choice after starting the day at 18-1. Willmott Stable's Eddington was next at 13-1. Rock Hard Ten, disqualified from second to third in his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby, came next at 14-1, and Imperialism, awarded second at Santa Anita following interference by Rock Hard Ten, stood at 15-1. Wimbledon, Lion Heart, The Cliff's Edge and Borrego all closed at 16-1.

KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER - POOL 3 (FINAL)
(#), Wagering Interest, Odds -- Will Pay
1. Action This Day, 16-1 -- $35.80
2. Birdstone, 19-1 -- $40.20
3. Borrego, 16-1 -- $35.60
4. Eddington, 13-1 -- $29.20
5. Eurosilver, SUSP.
6. Friends Lake*, 22-1 -- $46.20
7. Imperialism, 15-1 -- $32.40
8. Limehouse, 28-1 -- $59.40
9. Lion Heart, 16-1 -- $34.20
10. Master David, 12-1 -- $26.80
11. Minister Eric, 27-1 -- $56.40
12. Preachinatthebar*, 20-1 -- $43.00
13. Quintons Gold Rush*, 76-1 -- $154.40
14. Read The Footnotes, 17-1 -- $36.20
15. Rock Hard Ten, 14-1-- $30.20
16. Sinister G*, 64-1 -- $131.00
17. Smarty Jones*, 10-1 -- $23.60
18. Song of the Sword*, 77-1 -- $157.40
19. St Averil, 26-1 -- $54.00
20. Tapit , 23-1 -- $48.20
21. The Cliff's Edge, 16-1 -- $35.00
22. Value Plus, 25-1 -- $53.60
23. Wimbledon, 16-1 -- $35.00
24. All Other 3YO's, 6-1 -- $15.40
(*) New wagering interest in Pool 3