Halfbridled Tops Pool 2 of Oaks Future Wager

(from Churchill Downs report)
Despite suffering her first career loss in Saturday's Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I), 2-year-old filly champion Halfbridled ended up as the 7-2 favorite at the close of four days of betting in the second pool of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager ("KOFW").

Wertheimer Farms' homebred daughter of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled, who capped a perfect 2003 season with a convincing win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), finished second to Silent Sighs in her 2004 debut at Santa Anita. She was also the 7-2 favorite in the opening 2004 KOFW pool in February.

Bruce Lunsford's Madcap Escapade, who romped to her third win in as many starts in Saturday's seven-furlong Stonerside Forward Gal (gr. II) at Gulfstream, finished KOFW Pool 2 as a solid 5-1 second choice. Trainer Frank Brothers is looking to run his filly at a longer distance in her next outing.

The biggest mover in KOFW Pool 2 was the Julio Canani-trained Silent Sighs. Odds on the California-bred daughter of Benchmark stood at 99-1 following the opening day of Pool 2 betting on Thursday, but her odds fell to 9-1 after her triumph over Halfbridled. Silent Sighs ended up as the pool's third choice. She edged Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Ashado and the mutuel field, which included all 3-year-olds other than the 22 individual horses in Pool 2, who also closed at 9-1.

Fans wagered $46,151 through the four-day wagering period. This is the second year the KOFW has been offered and the first time it has been available in three pools. A total of $66,425 was wagered in February's opening pool and combined betting in this year's pools now stands at $112,576. Last year's inaugural Oaks Future Wager, held in a single pool in April, had total betting of $117,368.

Robert & Beverly Lewis' A.P. Adventure, who also suffered her first loss when she finished third in the Santa Anita Oaks, stood at 12-1 at the close of Sunday's betting. The regally bred La Reina, second in the Stonerside Forward Gal, closed at 15-1.

The third and final Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool is scheduled for April 1-4. The 130th running of the Kentucky Oaks is April 30.

Kentucky Oaks Future Wager – Pool 2 (Final)
(#) Wagering Interest, Odds, Will Pay
1. A.P. Adventure, 12-1, $27.40
2. Ashado, 9-1, $21.00
3. Class Above, 56-1, $114.80
4. Daydreaming, 41-1, $85.00
5. Ender's Sister, 61-1, $124.80
6. Eye Dazzler, OUT
7. Friendly Michelle, 38-1, $78.60
8. Galloping Gal, 44-1, $90.20
9. Halfbridled, 7-2, $9.60
10. Hollywood Story, 34-1, $70.60
11. House of Fortune, 27-1, $57.60
12. La Reina, 15-1, $32.20
13. Last Song, 22-1, $46.20
14. Madcap Escapade, 5-1, $12.60
15. Miss Coronado, 32-1, $67.40
16. Rare Gift, 110-1, $223.40
17. Salty Romance, 115-1, $233.40
18. Shadow Cast, 96-1, $195.20
19. Silent Sighs, 9-1, $20.20
20. Society Selection, 57-1, $116.40
21. Stellar Jayne, 43-1, $89.00
22. Victory U.S.A., 30-1, $63.40
23. Yearly Report, 14-1, $30.80
24. All Other 3YO Fillies, 9-1, $21.20