Field at even-money in Derby Futures Pool 2

American Pharoah, the Eclipse Award winner for top 2-year-old male, is the top individually listed wagering interest behind the heavily favored mutuel field in Pool 2 of the 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Friday at noon Eastern for a three-day run.

The field, the 24th or “all others” entry, closed as the 3-5 favorite in Pool 1, followed by Dortmund at 9-1 and American Pharoah at 12-1. Combined handle for that pool was $232,204, the fourth-lowest since Churchill Downs first offered pari-mutuel futures in 1999.

For Pool 2, Churchill Downs linemaker Mike Battaglia is listing the field as the even-money morning-line choice, followed by American Pharoah (10-1), Dortmund (12-1), Upstart (12-1), Carpe Diem (15-1), and Texas Red (15-1).

Nine field horses from Pool 1 are now separately listed for Pool 2: Far Right, Firing Line, Gorgeous Bird, International Star, Itsaknockout, J S Bach, Khozan, Prospect Park, and Ocean Knight.

Gone from Pool 1, which was held Nov. 28-30, are Blofeld, Calculator, Classy Class, Eagle, I Spent It, Lucky Player, Ostrolenka, Punctuate, and Unblunted.

A Derby futures pool in early February traditionally had been the first of the season, but prior to the 2014 Derby, Churchill Downs moved Pool 1 to November while adding a fourth pool.

The pool closes Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern. Pool 3 is set for Feb. 27 to March 1 and Pool 4 for March 27-29. All pools will run from Friday to Sunday, as opposed to a Thursday-to-Saturday schedule used last year. A single Kentucky Oaks futures pool will be offered concurrent to Derby Pool 3.

Last year, eventual Derby winner California Chrome closed at 30-1 in Pool 2; the colt ultimately was the 5-2 favorite on Derby Day. Combined handle on Pool 2 last year was $380,249, the second-lowest for a pool during the same time frame (which had been Pool 1 prior to 2014). The field always has closed as the favorite in this pool.

As with any pari-mutuel wager, odds are not locked in until the pool closes. There are no refunds.

Real-time odds and exacta will-pays are available on selected monitors at tracks and wagering outlets where futures are offered, as well as on kentuckyderby.com.

Minimum wagers are $2 to win and $2 for exactas, although $1 boxes or part-wheels may be used to reach that $2 exacta minimum.

This is the 17th year for the future wager. Exacta wagering was added in 2009. In the case of field horses filling both exacta slots, the next-best finish by a separately listed horse will count toward the winning combination.

Lineups are chosen by John Asher of Churchill Downs, Brad Free of Daily Racing Form, Ed DeRosa of Brisnet, and freelance racing writer Gary West.

Results are predicated on the 141st Derby at Churchill on May 2.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 lineup

No., Horse, Trainer, Pool 1 odds, Pool 2 M/L
1. American Pharoah, B. Baffert, 12-1, 10-1
2. Carpe Diem, T. Pletcher, 15-1, 15-1
3. Competitive Edge, T. Pletcher, 48-1, 30-1
4. Daredevil, T. Pletcher, 48-1, 30-1
5. Dortmund, B. Baffert, 9-1, 12-1
6. El Kabeir, J. Terranova, 74-1, 20-1
7. Far Right, R. Moquett, 3-5(f), 50-1
8. Firing Line, S. Callaghan, 3-5(f), 30-1
9. Frosted, K. McLaughlin, 38-1, 30-1
10. Gorgeous Bird, I. Wilkes, 3-5(f), 50-1
11. Imperia, K. McLaughlin, 27-1, 30-1
12. International Star, M. Maker, 3-5(f), 50-1
13. Itsaknockout, T. Pletcher, 3-5(f), 50-1
14. J S Bach, T. Pletcher, 3-5(f), 30-1
15. Khozan, T. Pletcher, 3-5(f), 20-1
16. Lord Nelson, B. Baffert, 72-1, 30-1
17. Mr. Z, W. Lukas, 47-1, 50-1
18. Ocean Knight, K. McLaughlin, 3-5(f), 50-1
19. Ocho Ocho Ocho, J. Cassidy, 29-1, 30-1
20. Prospect Park, C. Sise, 3/5(f), 50-1
21. Texas Red, K. Desormeaux, 14-1, 15-1
22. The Great War, W. Ward, 72-1, 30-1
23. Upstart, R. Violette, 53-1, 12-1
24. Mutuel field (all others), n/a, 3-5, even

(f) – denotes Pool 1 field entry.
(Morning line by Churchill Downs)