Let the Wager begin!
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Churchill Downs on Tuesday released the lineup of 3-year-olds for the first of three pools in the fourth annual Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Thursday at noon Eastern.
As expected, the mutuel field - all 3-year-olds besides the 23 interests listed separately - is a consensus lukewarm favorite in morning lines released by both Churchill and Daily Racing Form. Siphonic is the second choice in both lines, while Repent, Johannesburg, Came Home, and Harlan's Holiday come next.
As has been the case since the Future Wager was introduced in 1999, the official lineup was chosen by the three-man committee of John Asher of Churchill Downs and Brad Free and Mike Watchmaker of Daily Racing Form. Watchmaker, who composes the morning line for the Form, said the installation of the field as the favorite has become something of a Pool 1 tradition.
"The field is always the favorite in the first pool," said Watchmaker, citing data from the first three years.
More people than ever are expected to bet the Future Wager this year, primarily because California and three other states have joined the roster of states taking the bet. Horseplayers in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington also will be able to make the bet, which is now offered in 34 states. Combined handle on all three pools last year was a little more than $1.3 million.
The Future Wager is a $2 minimum win-only bet with a takeout of 16 percent. Results are predicated on the 128th Derby on May 4. There are no refunds, although a horse will be scratched when it has been confirmed that an illness or injury has eliminated the horse from Derby consideration.
Betting on Pool 1 will be available daily through Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. Wagering opens daily at noon and is open until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Pool 2 will be held March 14-17, and Pool 3 is set for April 4-7.
More information on the Future Wager is available in special DRF supplemental editions on sale this week.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Field and Odds
| No. | Horse | CD Odds | Watchmaker Odds |
| 1 | Booklet | 15-1 | 30-1 |
| 2 | Came Home | 10-1 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Cappuchino | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 4 | Danthebluegrassman | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 5 | Easyfromthegitgo | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 6 | Fonz's | 15-1 | 20-1 |
| 7 | Grey Beard | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 8 | Harlan's Holiday | 12-1 | 12-1 |
| 9 | High Star | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 10 | Johannesburg | 10-1 | 10-1 |
| 11 | King's Consul | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 12 | Maybry's Boy | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 13 | Nokoma | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 14 | Pelirrojo | 50-1 | 50-1 |
| 15 | Political Attack | 30-1 | 50-1 |
| 16 | Repent | 10-1 | 8-1 |
| 17 | Request For Parole | 20-1 | 30-1 |
| 18 | Saarland | 15-1 | 15-1 |
| 19 | Saratoga Blues | 20-1 | 30-1 |
| 20 | Siphonic | 6-1 | 6-1 |
| 21 | Stephentown | 15-1 | 15-1 |
| 22 | Tempera | 15-1 | 30-1 |
| 23 | U S S Tinosa | 30-1 | 30-1 |
| 24 | Field-all other 3yos | 4-1 | 5-1 |