Songbird, Mohaymen early favorites in Oaks, Derby futures betting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Songbird was the 1-2 favorite for the Kentucky Oaks and Mohaymen the 3-1 favorite for the Kentucky Derby after the first full day of betting into future wagers this weekend.

After Friday wagering, and on win handle of $42,816, Mohaymen was the lukewarm choice over Nyquist (5-1) in Derby Pool 3. The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, was 8-1, followed by Smokey Image (12-1), Suddenbreakingnews (13-1), and six more horses between 15-1 and 20-1. An additional $16,884 had been bet in exactas.

With $15,285 in win wagers in the Oaks futures, Songbird was a big favorite over Cathryn Sophia (5-1), with none of the other 20 separately listed fillies any lower than 15-1. The will-pay for a $2 exacta of Songbird over Cathryn Sophia was a mere $10.40 after the first day.

Wagering on one of the fillies in the original lineup, Polar River, was suspended prior to the opening of the Oaks pool after Churchill Downs officials determined there is no way she will be sent to America for the race.

Both futures opened Friday at noon Eastern and run through Sunday evening, with Derby Pool 3 closing at 6 p.m. Eastern and the Oaks a half-hour later. A sizable portion of wagering can be expected after prep races are run Saturday, those being the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe Stakes toward the Derby and the Florida Oaks and Honeybee Stakes toward the Oaks.

The field was favored in Derby Pool 1, which ran Nov. 26-29, and in Pool 2 (Feb. 12-14). The fourth and final pool is set for April 1-3. There is only one Oaks pool per year.

Including exactas, combined handle on Pool 3 last year was $422,330, while the Oaks pool drew $115,615 during the same period.

Results are predicated on the May 6 Oaks and May 7 Derby.