Bettors made Empire Maker the solid 2-1 favorite at the close of the first day of Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Thursday.
The son of Unbridled was a runaway winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I) and is headed for the Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct on April 12. That is his final stop on the way to the Kentucky Derby (gr.I). Empire Maker is owned by Juddmonte Farms, trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Jerry Bailey.
There was signficant betting action on Badge of Silver, who opened at 15-1 on the first day of the final future pool but closed at 5-1. The son of Silver Deputy is being prepared for the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. 1) at Keeneland on April 12. Badge of Silver was sixth in his most recent race, the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on March 9, and underwent minor throat surgery. He has been working well for his return, however.
The field, favored in the first two legs of the KDFW, is 7-1. Saturday's Santa Anita Derby favorite Atswhatimtalknbout, coming off of a second place finish in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), is a bit of an overlay, going from 6-1 on the early line to 10-1.
Others taking some action are Kafwain (14-1), Indy Dancer (15-1) and Peace Rules (18-1). San Felipe winner Buddy Gil, the second choice for the Santa Anita Derby, is 25-1.
Others contenders in the Santa Anita race include Domestic Dispute (40-1), Ministers Wild Cat (35-1) and Ocean Terrace (40-1). Illinois Derby (gr. II) favorite Alysweep is at 50-1. That race is also Saturday.
A total of $19,584 had been recorded in the KDFW pool by 10 p.m. EST.
# Odds Horse 1. 50-1 Alysweep
2. 60-1 Aristocat
3. 10-1 Atswhatimtalknbout
4. 5-1 Badge Of Silver
5. 50-1 Brancusi
6. 25-1 Buddy Gil
7. 40-1 Domestic Dispute
8. 99-1 During
9. 2-1 Empire Maker
10. 25-1 Funny Cide
11. 35-1 Inamorato
12. 15-1 Indy Dancer
13. 14-1 Kafwain
14. 50-1 Lion Tamer
15. 40-1 Man Among Men
16. 35-1 Ministers Wild Cat
17. 35-1 New York Hero
18. 40-1 Ocean Terrace
19. 45-1 Offlee Wild
20. 18-1 Peace Rules
21. 60-1 Region Of Merit
22. 80-1 Ten Most Wanted
23 Scr Trust N Luck 30 -
24. 7-1 All Others
Total 19584
