Future Wager: Field narrow favorite over Union Rags at end of Day 1

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Union Rags was challenging the mutuel field for favoritism as betting closed Friday in the first of three days of wagering into Pool 2 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

After $46,113 was bet into the win pool Friday, the field, the 24th or “all others” option, was the 2-1 favorite over Union Rags (3-1). Then came Hansen (12-1), who runs Saturday in the lone major prep of the weekend, the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Next in line were El Padrino (16-1), Creative Cause (18-1), and Alpha (19-1). Exacta handle Friday was $14,842.

Pool 2 opened Friday at noon Eastern and closes Sunday at 6 p.m.

:: FUTURE WAGER: Get free Derby and Oaks past performances

Meanwhile, Pool 2 coincides with the only futures pool being offered this year on the Kentucky Oaks. With $7,977 in the win pool, the field was a lukewarm 9-2 choice in the Oaks pool after Friday wagering, followed closely by Captivating Lass (8-1), Princess Arabella (8-1), Grace Hall (9-1), On Fire Baby (11-1), and Zo Impressive (11-1). Exacta wagering was $2,949. The Oaks pool closes Sunday at 6:30.

Pool 1, held Feb. 10-12, drew a combined win and exacta handle of $631,304, the largest single-pool total since Churchill Downs first began offering parimutuel futures in 1999. The field closed as the 3-2 favorite in Pool 1.

Last year, combined handle on Derby Pool 2 was $376,699, while the Oaks handled $92,903.

The 138th Oaks and Derby will be run May 4 and 5, respectively. Derby Pool 3 is set for March 30 to April 1.

Real-time updates of win odds and exacta probables are available through a number of sources, including television monitors at tracks and wagering outlets and on kentuckyderby.com.