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.
Barbican, who was a member of Daily Racing Form's latest Kentucky Derby Watch top 25 and had been an individual betting interest in Pool 2 of the Derby Future Wager, has been injured and will be out at least several months, it was announced early Friday. Churchill Downs immediately suspended wagers on Barbican before betting into Pool 2 opened Friday.
The mutuel field was the 3-2 favorite after relatively light wagering in the early hours of Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opened Thursday at noon Eastern.
As of 4 p.m. Eastern, handle into the win-only Future Wager stood at $20,453. Pool 2 closes Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern.
The mutuel field is the 24th, or "all others," alternative to the 23 separately listed wagering interests. Next in line were Bluegrass Cat (11-1), Lawyer Ron (12-1), Brother Derek (12-1), and First Samurai (15-1).
The ability of a horse to successfully stretch out around two turns is a factor that has intrigued handicappers and made trainers anxious for decades. The test becomes particularly magnified in the spring, when 3-year-olds take that intermediate step toward proving whether they are worthy of going to the Kentucky Derby.
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WHO'S HOT: Cause to Believe, the El Camino Real Derby winner, was the first alternate last week, and he moved onto the Derby Watch top 25 list this week when space became available. He is 40-1 on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper. Lawyer Ron, who captured the Southwest Stakes, is down to 25-1 after being 30-1 last week. Steppenwolfer, the Southwest runner-up, is down to 40-1 from last week's 60-1.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Lineups for Pool 2 in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks future wagers were released Tuesday by Churchill Downs, and true to the wide-open nature of each race, there are numerous changes from Pool 1 and no clear-cut favorites. Wagering into both pools begins Thursday at noon Eastern at racetracks and wagering outlets throughout North America.
Lineups for Pool 2 in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers were released Tuesday by Churchill Downs, and true to the wide-open nature of each race, there are numerous changes from Pool 1 and no clear-cut favorites. Wagering into both pools begins Thursday at noon Eastern at racetracks and wagering outlets throughout North America. Nine horses have been displaced from the Derby Futures, and eight from the Oaks, since wagers on Pool 1 were taken Jan. 26-29.
ARCADIA, Calif. - When the horses crossed the wire in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile nearly four months ago at Belmont Park, Brother Derek was only the fourth-best horse in the race. Since then, however, the victorious Stevie Wonderboy has been injured, runner-up Henny Hughes has gone to the black hole of Dubai, and First Samurai has yet to prove his ability around two turns.
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WHO'S HOT: Todd Pletcher, the nation's Eclipse Award-winning trainer the past two years, had the most nominees to this year's Triple Crown, and has the most representation on the inaugural top 25 of Derby Watch, with three runners, including two of the top six choices in Bluegrass Cat and Keyed Entry. Both Steve Asmussen, whose best prospect is Private Vow, and Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner, have a pair of runners.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Kentucky Derby remains about the only thing missing from trainer Todd Pletcher's resume as his three runners failed to fire in Saturday's Derby. Pletcher is now winless with 12 Derby starters.
Bandini, the Blue Grass Stakes winner and the third betting choice on Saturday, finished 19th in the field of 20. Flower Alley finished ninth. and Coin Silver was 12th.
