Field again the early pick in Derby future

The mutuel field, the 24th or "all others" option, was the lukewarm favorite after relatively light wagering during the opening hours of Pool 1 of the 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

As of 4 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, with $23,499 bet into the win-only wager, the field was the 5-2 choice. Street Sense and Nobiz Like Shobiz were co-second favorites at 5-1, followed by Hard Spun (7-1), Ravel (13-1), Great Hunter (15-1), and Lawrence the Roman (18-1).

The field has closed as the Pool 1 favorite every year since Churchill Downs first began offering parimutuel future wagers in 1999.

Meanwhile, wagering into Pool 1 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager had totaled less than $2,000 as of 4 p.m. Eastern, when the 2-year-old filly champion of 2006, Dreaming of Anna, stood as the 5-2 favorite. She was followed by Cotton Blossom (9-2), Boca Grande (8-1), the field (9-1), Octave (11-1), and Rags to Riches (14-1).

Wagering into Pool 1 for the Derby closes Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern, while Oaks Pool 1 closes a half-hour later.

Pool 2 for both the Derby and Oaks is set for March 8-11, and Pool 3 will run April 12-15.