Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Field 6-5 as final day begins
The mutuel field was still a big favorite following the second of three days of wagering into Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday.
Marty McGeeFeb 08, 2014
The mutuel field was still a big favorite following the second of three days of wagering into Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday.
The mutuel field was an overwhelming favorite after the first of three days of wagering into Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday at noon Eastern.
The mutuel field opened as a strong favorite in the early hours of Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday at noon Eastern. As of 4:45 p.m., and with just more than $30,000 in the win pool, the field – the 24th or “all others” option – was the even-money favorite, followed by Shared Belief (14-1), Strong Mandate (15-1), Honor Code (15-1), Cairo Prince (16-1), and Top Billing (17-1). Another $6,325 was in the exacta pool.
Churchill Downs officials on Thursday released the stakes schedule for the 2014 spring meet, with little change from the status quo and an increase in stakes purses of almost 3 percent. The 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3 serves as the traditional high point of the meet, which features 24 stakes worth almost $7.7 million in total.
Midnight Hawk, whose ownership group includes two Chicago Blackhawk coaches, goes for a hat trick on Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.
In Trouble, whose 2-year-old season was cut short due to a chip in a knee, is working steadily toward his 3-year-old debut, which could come in the Grade 3, $500,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 2, trainer Tony Dutrow said.
Vicar’s In Trouble had his first timed workout since he won the Jan. 18 Lecomte by almost seven lengths, breezing a half-mile in company Feb. 2 in 49.40 seconds. He is an intended starter in the Risen Sta at Fair Grounds on Feb. 22.
Trainer Mark Casse confirmed Conquest Titan, a late-running second behind Cairo Prince in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes last month, as a definite starter Feb. 22 in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.
Joel Rosario will ride Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winner Strong Mandate in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 17, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said. The race will be Strong Mandate’s first since he finished third under Rosario to New Year’s Day in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.