Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Union Rags starts final day as favorite in Pool 3

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Despite being defeated Saturday as the odds-on favorite in the Florida Derby, Union Rags was the 7-2 favorite heading into the final day of wagering into Pool 3 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

With Friday and Saturday wagering complete and with $172,795 in the win pool, Union Rags was bet down to favoritism after closing mildly to finish third behind Take Charge Indy in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. He was followed by Hansen (5-1), the mutuel field (6-1), Creative Cause (10-1), Gemologist (13-1), and Alpha (17-1). Take Charge Indy was 50-1 when betting began Saturday, then dropped to 21-1 by the end of betting Saturday.

Another $54,277 was bet into the exacta pool. Last year, the combined Pool 3 handle was nearly $400,000. A substantial portion of the Pool 3 handle can be expected to come Sunday, when wagering typically more than doubles the two previous days combined.

The pool closes 6:30 p.m. Eastern today. Churchill Downs officials decided to extend their customary closing time by 30 minutes to accommodate the results of the Louisiana Derby, which is scheduled to be run about 6 p.m. at Fair Grounds. Just one separately listed Pool 3 horse, Mark Valeski, is in the Louisiana Derby field of 14.

This is the final pool in the 2012 Future Wager. Pool 1 was held Feb. 10-12 and Pool 2 March 2-4.

Live streaming odds and exacta will-pays are available throughout the weekend on television monitors at tracks and wagering outlets and on kentuckyderby.com.

This is the 14th year Churchill has offered parimutuel futures.