Forte clear choice in Pool 5 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 5 in the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with Forte a clear-cut favorite among 40 wagering options following the customary three-day run.
Forte, a sharp winner of the March 4 Fountain of Youth for trainer Todd Pletcher, closed as the 3-1 favorite, followed by a second Pletcher trainee, Tapit Trice (8-1), winner of the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday. The mutuel field, the 40th or “all-others” option, was next at 10-1, followed by Practical Move (12-1) and Instant Coffee (19-1). Everything else was 24-1 or higher.
Churchill Downs, which has conducted parimutuel futures since 1999, suspended wagering on Arabian Knight after it was announced late Saturday that the colt is no longer under consideration for the May 6 Derby. Arabian Knight was the second choice at the time.
Combined handle (win and exacta) in Pool 5 was $341,637. The lowest $2 exacta combination was Forte over Tapit Trice (14-34), worth $47.06.
The field was the favorite in the four previous pools.
Coinciding with Pool 5 was the lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager of the season. Wet Paint closed as the 4-1 favorite, followed by Wonder Wheel (6-1), Hoosier Philly (7-1), and Punchbowl (11-1).
Pool 6 (March 30 to April 1) is the lone Derby futures pool remaining.
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