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A lively opening day of betting in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs’ 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager ended with unbeaten champion Uncle Mo as a narrow favorite. It was crowded just behind the people’s choice with the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) looming just five weeks away.
Repole Stable’s Uncle Mo was a 3-1 favorite at the end of the first of three days of betting in the year’s final Kentucky Derby Future pool. Just behind was the mutuel field, or “All Others," which was a 4-1 second choice at day’s end. Rebel Stakes (gr. II) winner The Factor enjoyed solid support throughout the day and ended up as the 5-1 third choice. To Honor and Serve , a contender in the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park April 3, was the 8-1 fourth choice when betting wound to a close at 10 p.m. (all times EDT).
Racing fans wagered $65,902 during the opening session, with $48,772 going into the win pool and $17,130 wagered on exactas. A total of $969,191 had been wagered during the first two pools of the KDFW, so the opening betting pushed the overall betting total to $1,035,093. Total betting in the 13-year-old Kentucky Derby Future Wager has topped $1 million in 12 consecutive years.
Wagering resumed at noon on April 2 at racetracks and off-track betting centers, and through TwinSpires.com and other advance deposit wagering platforms. Betting on the pool is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. on April 3.This year's Kentucky Derby will be run on May 7 at Churchill Downs.
Other horses that attracted solid support included a trio of set to run in the Florida Derby: Holy Bull (gr. III) winner Dialed In ended the day at 11-1, Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Soldat stood at 15-1, and Gotham (gr. III) winner Stay Thirsty was a 36-1 risk. San Felipe (gr. II) winner Premier Pegasus, who will run in $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 9, is at 14-1.
Information on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, including real time odds, can be found at the official Kentucky Derby event Web site at www.KentuckyDerby.com.
