Record Handle for Future Wager; 'Field' 5-2 Favorite

A record $577,889 was wagered into pool one of the pari-mutuel Kentucky Derby future wager offered this weekend, with the mutuel field emerging as the first-round favorite for the fourth straight year.

The previous record for a pool of the wager was $510,815 bet on last year's initial pool. The wager was offered in 34 states this year, with California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington participating for the first time.

The mutuel field closed at 5-2, a record for shortest closing odds in any one pool. The favored individual entry was Johannesburg (7-1), with Siphonic and Sunday's Risen Star (gr. III) winner Repent next at 8-1. Siphonic attracted a slightly larger amount than Repent, making him the third choice.

Other attracting attention include Saarland (11-1), Came Home (14-1), Harlan's Holiday (17-1) and Booklet (24-1)

Historically, the first pool attracts the highest handle, with pool two lagging behind both pool one and the final pool.

Pool two runs from March 14-17, and Pool Three from April 4-7.

The closing odds with winning payoffs:

1--BOOKLET, 24-1/$50.80
2--CAME HOME, 14-1/$31.20
3--CAPPUCHINO, 62-1/$126.60
4--DANTHEBLUEGRASSMAN, 30-1/$63.80
5--EASYFROMTHEGITGO, 41-1/$85.20
6--FONZ'S, 41-1/$84.80
7--GREY BEARD, 70-1/$142.20
8--HARLAN'S HOLIDAY, 17-1/$37.00
9--HIGH STAR, 29-1/$61.20
10--JOHANNESBURG, 7-1/$17.60
11--KING'S CONSUL, 40-1/$82.00
12--MAYBRY'S BOY, 51-1/$105.00
13--NOKOMA, 43-1/$89.20
14--PELIROJJO, 47-1/$96.80
15--POLITICAL ATTACK, 99-1/$208.80
16--REPENT, 8-1/$19.80
17--REQUEST FOR PAROLE, 58-1/$119.80
18--SAARLAND, 11-1/$25.20
19--SARATOGA BLUES, 26-1/$54.40
20--SIPHONIC, 8-1/$19.40
21--STEPHENTOWN, 25-1/$52.20
22--TEMPERA (F), 33-1/$68.40
23--U S S TINOSA, 42-1/$87.60
24--FIELD, 5-2/$7.60