Fans Like What They See in Empire Maker

Empire Maker's smashing victory in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) Saturday has earned him solid favoritism among the 23 individual horses listed in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

As pool 2 headed into the final day, the field entry, at 3-1, continued to be the favorite for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (as it was in the opening pool). But odds on Empire Maker, who defeated Trust N Luck by 9 3/4 lengths, fell from 9-1 at the close Friday to 9-2 as of 10:15 EST on Saturday. More than twice as much was bet on the Derby future Saturday as was taken in the first two days of the pool combined. A total of $185,453 was registered in the pool by press time.

Wagering on Pool 2 of the 2003 Kentucky Derby Future Wager continues until Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST. A third and final KDFW pool is scheduled for April 3-6, which coincides with the only pool for the first-ever Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Odds on most of the other favored contenders floated up slightly, including Badge of Silver (13-1), Kafwain (14-1), Peace Rules (15-1), Trust N Luck (16-1), Atswhatimtalknbout (17-1) and Lion Tamer (18-1). Indy Dancer, who closed powerfully to get third in the Florida Derby after trailing the field badly much of the way, had the biggest forward move, from 30-1 earlier to 18-1.

Sunday's San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita features several contenders, including Atswhatimtalknbout, Domestic Dispute, Man Among Men and Ten Cents A Shine, although rain in Southern California could cloud the results.

# Odds Horse
1. 80-1 Aristocat
2. 17-1 Atswhatimtalknbout
3. 13-1 Badge Of Silver
4. 45-1 Champali
5. 30-1 Composure
6. 25-1 Domestic Dispute
7. 9-2 Empire Maker
8. 50-1 Funny Cide
9. 80-1 Great Notion
10. 45-1 Inamorato
11. 18-1 Indy Dancer
12. 14-1 Kafwain
13. 18-1 Lion Tamer
14. 21-1 Man Among Men
15. 23-1 Ministers Wild Cat
16. 45-1 Ocean Terrace
17. 35-1 Offlee Wild
18. 15-1 Peace Rules
19. 80-1 Region Of Merit
20. 45-1 Senor Swinger
21. 99-1 Supah Blitz
22. 40-1 Ten Cents A Shine
23. 16-1 Trust N Luck
24. 3-1 All Others
Total: $185453