Public still opting to play the field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Racing fans betting into Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks future wagers essentially proclaimed the results of the past weekend inconclusive, as they once again made the mutuel field the favorite in each pool.
The field, the "all others" alternative to the 23 separately listed wagering interests, closed as the 3-1 favorite in the Derby futures and as the 9-2 choice in the Oaks futures.
Final odds in Pool 2 of the Derby Future Wager reflected a wagering public that has had a particularly difficult time settling on a single horse. Despite his authoritative victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes on Saturday, Brother Derek was no better than a 10-1 second choice when Pool 2 closed Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern. And after the previously unheralded Corinthian finished first (although subsequently disqualified) in the Fountain of Youth, and Sharp Rumor upset the Swale Stakes, the weekend results at Gulfstream apparently further confounded futures bettors.
Brother Derek was followed by Bluegrass Cat (11-1), Private Vow (13-1), Corinthian (15-1), Barbaro (15-1), and Achilles of Troy (15-1). In all, 10 horses closed at odds between 10-1 and 19-1.
Wagering on Barbican was suspended early Friday after it was learned that the colt had been injured and eliminated from Derby consideration. Since there are no refunds in the future wagers, the $413 wagered Thursday on Barbican was lost.
Handle on Derby Pool 2 was $464,236, the second-highest for a Pool 2 since Churchill Downs began offering parimutuel futures in 1999. The Pool 2 record of $511,655 was set last year. The handle on Pool 1, which was held Jan. 26-29, was $552,627.
As for the Oaks futures, bettors also were given little to work with on Sunday after Teammate and Miraculous Miss posted upsets at Gulfstream in the Bonnie Miss and Forward Gal, respectively. Fans ultimately settled for the field over West Coast fillies Wild Fit and Balance, both of whom closed at 7-1.
Handle on the Oaks was $54,054, or a little more than 10 percent of the Derby handle. Since Churchill first began offering Oaks futures three years ago, the Oaks has consistently drawn more than 10 percent, but less than 15 percent, of what has been bet into the corresponding Derby pool.
Pool 3 for both races is set for April 6-9. The Derby will be run May 6, the day after the Oaks.
Pool 2 final odds
KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER
| NO. | HORSE | Pool 2 $2 will pay | Pool 1 $2 will pay |
| 1 | Achilles of Troy | $32.40 | $54.40 |
| 2 | Barbaro | 32.20 | 40.20 |
| 3 | Barbican | scratched | 38.80 |
| 4 | Bluegrass Cat | 25.00 | 33.40 |
| 5 | Bob and John | 40.20 | 65.40 |
| 6 | Brother Derek | 22.60 | 35.00 |
| 7 | Cause to Believe* | 66.00 | 120.60 |
| 8 | Corinthian** | 33.60 | 8.00 |
| 9 | First Samurai | 34.00 | 17.80 |
| 10 | Flashy Bull | 67.40 | 92.80 |
| 11 | Great Point** | 58.80 | 8.00 |
| 12 | Itsallboutthechase | 192.20 | 98.40 |
| 13 | Keyed Entry | 45.00 | 109.60 |
| 14 | Latent Heat** | 105.80 | 8.00 |
| 15 | Lawyer Ron | 36.40 | 44.00 |
| 16 | My Golden Song** | 128.40 | 8.00 |
| 17 | Noonmark** | 196.00 | 8.00 |
| 18 | Point Determined | 60.20 | 39.80 |
| 19 | Private Vow | 29.20 | 30.60 |
| 20 | Really Indian** | 111.40 | 8.00 |
| 21 | Steppenwolfer** | 51.80 | 8.00 |
| 22 | Strong Contender** | 36.40 | 8.00 |
| 23 | Sweetnorthernsaint** | 62.60 | 8.00 |
| 24 | Field | 8.40 | 8.00 |
* Not nominated; ** Field entry in Pool 1
KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE WAGER
| NO. | HORSE | Pool 2 $2 will pay | Pool 1 $2 will pay |
| 1 | Adieu | $47.80 | $38.40 |
| 2 | Baghdaria | 133.60 | 92.20 |
| 3 | Balance | 17.40 | 29.80 |
| 4 | Better Now | 121.00 | 89.80 |
| 5 | Celestial Legend | 75.20 | 79.80 |
| 6 | Crystal Current** | 38.80 | 9.00 |
| 7 | Diplomat Lady | 106.80 | 55.40 |
| 8 | Ex Caelis | 62.80 | 50.00 |
| 9 | Folklore | 20.80 | 15.60 |
| 10 | French Park | 61.00 | 32.60 |
| 11 | India** | 63.40 | 9.00 |
| 12 | Itty Bitty Pretty | 55.00 | 53.40 |
| 13 | Joint Effort** | 73.20 | 9.00 |
| 14 | Misty Rosette** | 61.40 | 9.00 |
| 15 | Original Spin | 56.40 | 41.00 |
| 16 | Private World** | 133.80 | 9.00 |
| 17 | Sabatini | 58.00 | 40.80 |
| 18 | Sierra Sweetie** | 32.80 | 9.00 |
| 19 | Sweet Belle** | 38.00 | 9.00 |
| 20 | Sweet Sugaree** | 61.00 | 9.00 |
| 21 | Wait a While | 47.00 | 100.20 |
| 22 | Wild Fit | 16.80 | 16.00 |
| 23 | Wonder Lady Anne L | 41.80 | 39.80 |
| 24 | Field | 11.00 | 9.00 |
** Field entry in Pool 1