13 starters represent mutuel field in Derby futures pool

Bettors who took 3-5 on the mutuel field in Pool 1 of the 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager last fall will have 13 horses on their side Saturday, but the top three morning-line choices – American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Carpe Diem – were separately listed interests in that opening pool, jeopardizing that play.

American Pharoah, the 5-2 program choice for the 141st Derby, was bet down in steady succession with every pool, from 12-1 to 10-1 to 8-1 to 5-1. Similarly, Dortmund commanded strong attention throughout, closing at 9-1, 10-1, 9-1, and 6-1.

Conversely, the field – the 24th or “all others” option – rose in price as the Derby neared from 3-5 to 5-2 to 4-1 to 11-1.

The pools were open Nov. 28-30; Feb. 6-8; Feb. 27-March 1; and March 27-29. Aggregate handle was $1,523,175, second highest in the 17 years that Churchill has offered parimutuel futures.

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Aside from the two Bob Baffert-trained favorites, value seekers appear to be in good position with these plays: Frosted, 38-1 in Pool 1 and 31-1 in Pool 2; Firing Line, 35-1 in Pool 2; International Star, 44-1 in Pool 2; and Upstart, 53-1 in Pool 1.

One of the more intriguing futures developments was Mubtaahij, a field horse in the first three pools, closing as the 8-1 third choice in Pool 4. The colt is 20-1 on the Derby program.

Just six Derby starters were separate interests for all four pools: American Pharoah, Dortmund, Carpe Diem, El Kabeir, Mr. Z, and Upstart.

For the 2014 Derby, the field was the winning play at 4-5 for Pool 1, but then California Chrome became a big winner for his backers in the next three pools at 31-1, 32-1, and 9-1. He paid $7 as the Derby favorite.