Field slight favorite over Empire Maker in Pool 2
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Although racing fans remain collectively unsure about the May 3 Kentucky Derby, they were sufficiently impressed with the smashing Florida Derby victory by Empire Maker to make him a very close second choice, behind only the mutuel field, as Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager came to a close Sunday.
The field, made up of all 3-year-olds except the 23 listed as separate betting interests, closed as the $3.60-1 favorite in the second of three pools, while Empire Maker closed at $3.70-1. Empire Maker was the actual favorite for most of Sunday before a late surge of betting tipped favoritism to the field.
Closing as the clear-cut third choice in the wagering was Atswhatimtalknbout, who was as high as 33-1 Sunday before making his strong closing run to finish a narrowly beaten second in the San Felipe Stakes. In the next hour, Atswhatimtalknbout was hammered down to 8-1 by the time Pool 2 closed Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
Closing as the 10-1 fourth choice was Badge of Silver, followed by Kafwain (15-1), Indy Dancer (17-1), Peace Rules (18-1), and Lion Tamer (19-1).
Predictably, the odds floated higher on several horses who posted subpar performances during weekend action, including Man Among Men (25-1), Domestic Dispute (28-1), Ten Cents a Shine (46-1), Senor Swinger (72-1), and Supah Blitz (164-1).
Handle on Pool 2 was only $391,002, more than half of it bet on Sunday, the last of four days of wagering. Since the Future Wager was initiated in 1999, handle on Pool 2 always has been the smallest of the three pools. This was the first Future Wager pool to dip below $400,000 since Pool 2 of 2001.
Pool 3 is on April 3-6. Also offered April 3-6 is the first Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.
An eye to the futures
| No. | Horse | Final Odds Pool 2 | Final Odds Pool 1 |
| 1 | Aristocat | 64-1 | *2-1 |
| 2 | Atswhatimtalknbout | 8-1 | 28-1 |
| 3 | Badge of Silver | 10-1 | 11-1 |
| 4 | Champali | 56-1 | *2-1 |
| 5 | Composure (f) | 38-1 | *2-1 |
| 6 | Domestic Dispute | 28-1 | 19-1 |
| 7 | Empire Maker | 7-2 | 12-1 |
| 8 | Funny Cide | 59-1 | 93-1 |
| 9 | Great Notion | 66-1 | *2-1 |
| 10 | Inamorato | 37-1 | *2-1 |
| 11 | Indy Dancer | 17-1 | 18-1 |
| 12 | Kafwain | 15-1 | 12-1 |
| 13 | Lion Tamer | 19-1 | 20-1 |
| 14 | Man Among Men | 25-1 | 29-1 |
| 15 | Ministers Wild Cat | 27-1 | 24-1 |
| 16 | Ocean Terrace | 40-1 | *2-1 |
| 17 | Offlee Wild | 37-1 | 34-1 |
| 18 | Peace Rules | 18-1 | 66-1 |
| 19 | Region of Merit | 48-1 | *2-1 |
| 20 | Senor Swinger | 72-1 | 43-1 |
| 21 | Supah Blitz | 99-1 | *2-1 |
| 22 | Ten Cents A Shine | 46-1 | 34-1 |
| 23 | Trust N Luck | 29-1 | 19-1 |
| 24 | All other 3-year-olds | 7-2 | 2-1 |
* Part of field in Pool 1 (f) - filly