Pyro, Big Brown take early money

Pyro and Big Brown attracted easily the most action during the early hours of the third and final pool of the 2008 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday at racetracks and wagering outlets throughout North America.

As of 4:30 p.m. Eastern, Pyro was the 2-1 favorite over Big Brown at 5-2. Handle of $17,314 was relatively light, as expected, since many of the 23 separately listed wagering interests are scheduled to be in action Saturday in three Derby preps: the Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby, and Santa Anita Derby. Odds are not locked in until Sunday at 6 p.m.

Pyro will have his final Derby prep next Saturday in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, while Big Brown, the Florida Derby winner, goes next in the May 3 Kentucky Derby.

After the two favorites, the third choice was the mutuel field, the 24th or "all others" option, at 14-1.

Also as of 4:30, the field was the 9-2 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. Next were A to the Croft and Country Star at 7-1.