Kentucky Derby Future Pool 2: Uncle Mo 3-1 favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The victory by Uncle Mo in his 3-year-old debut Saturday was enough to make the colt the favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager at the close of betting Sunday.

Uncle Mo closed as the 3-1 choice when wagering closed at 6 p.m. Eastern. The Todd Pletcher-trained Uncle Mo was a dominant winner of the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park to run his career record to 4 for 4.

The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, closed as the 7-2 second choice, followed by Dialed In (11-1), Soldat (13-1), To Honor and Serve (14-1), and Jaycito (16-1).

The Pool 2 field includes several horses who suddenly emerged as Derby contenders Saturday: Premier Pegasus, romping winner of the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, as well as Watch Me Go and Crimson Knight, the respective one-two finishers in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Win handle was $279,534 on Pool 2, with another $97,165 bet on exactas. The total of $376,699 was up 6 percent from 2010 Pool 2 and ranks right in the middle for all-time Pool 2 handles (seventh-highest of 13) since Churchill Downs first began offering parimutuel futures in 1999. The record Pool 2 handle of $511,655 was set in 2005.

The lowest $2 exacta will-pay in Pool 2 is $35.20 for the combination of the field over Uncle Mo (24-23).

The field closed as the 2-1 favorite in Pool 1, when the total handle was $592,492. Pool 3 is set for April 1-3.

Meanwhile, Kathmanblu closed Sunday as the 7-2 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which ran concurrently with Derby Pool 2, albeit closing 30 minutes later.

Zazu and Joyful Victory are co-second choices at 7-1, followed by R Heat Lightning (9-1), the field (9-1), Dancinginherdreams (10-1), and It’s Tricky (10-1). This was the only Oaks futures pool of the year, with exactas being offered for the first time. The lowest $2 will-pay is $60 for the combination of Kathmanblu over R Heat Lightning (11-16).

Win handle in the Oaks pool was $63,804 and exacta handle was $29,098, totaling $92,902. That figure was up 45 percent over the lone Oaks pool offered last year.

The 137th Oaks and 137th Derby will be run at Churchill on May 6 and 7, respectively.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

(No., Horse, Pool 1 odds, Pool 2 odds, $2 will-pay)

1. Anthony’s Cross, 45-1, 46-1, $93.80

2. Archarcharch, 2-1(f), 50-1, $103.60

3. Astrology, 48-1, 53-1, $109.00

4. Brethren, 15-1, 30-1, $63.60

5. Comma to the Top, 90-1, 85-1, $173.60

6. Dialed In, 8-1, 11-1, $24.40

7. Elite Alex, 2-1(f), 31-1, $64.60

8. Gourmet Dinner, 85-1, 42-1, $87.00

9. J.P.’s Gusto, 79-1, 61-1, $125.40

10. Jaycito, 21-1, 16-1, $35.00

11. Machen, 49-1, 68-1, $139.80

12. Mucho Macho Man, 30-1, 29-1, $61.00

13. Rogue Romance, 34-1, 36-1, $73.80

14. Runflatout, 2-1(f), 31-1, $64.00

15. Santiva, 37-1, 31-1, $64.80

16. Silver Medallion, 66-1, 31-1, $65.80

17. Soldat, 18-1, 13-1, $29.80

18. Stay Thirsty, 40-1, 25-1, $52.60

19. Sway Away 2-1(f), 18-1, $38.00

20. Sweet Ducky, 79-1, 75-1, $152.20

21. The Factor, 25-1, 32-1, $66.00

22. To Honor and Serve, 10-1, 15-1, $31.80

23. Uncle Mo, 7-2, 3-1, $8.20

24. All others (field), 2-1, 7-2, $9.40

(f) – denotes field entry in Pool 1.

Win handle, $279,534.
Exacta handle, $97,165.

Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Closing Odds

(No., Horse, Odds, $2 will-pay)

1. A Z Warrior, 28-1, $59.00

2. Big Tiz, 38-1, $79.60

3. Bouquet Booth, 41-1, $85.00

4. Dancinginherdreams, 10-1, $22.40

5. Delightful Mary, 24-1, $51.00

6. Harlan’s Ruby, 84-1, $170.20

7. Holy Heavens, 82-1, $166.00

8. Inglorious, 23-1, $49.00

9. It’s Tricky, 10-1, $23.60

10. Joyful Victory, 7-1, $17.80

11. Kathmanblu, 7-2, $9.40

12. Mildly Offensive, 51-1, $104.80

13. Miss Smarty Pants, 44-1, $91.40

14. Oh Carole, 54-1, $111.40

15. Pomeroys Pistol, 127-1, $256.20

16. R Heat Lightning, 9-1, $20.00

17. Rigoletta, 56-1, $115.00

18. Royal Delta, 37-1, $77.40

19. Salty Strike, 100-1, $203.00

20. Snow Fall, 56-1, $115.40

21. Summer Soiree, 55-1, $113.00

22. Wyomia, 24-1, $50.00

23. Zazu, 7-1, $16.00

24. All others (field), 9-1, $21.80

Win handle, $63,804.
Exacta handle, $29,098.