After extensive work contacting trainers and the connections of contenders to ensure their practicability to continue on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a Churchill Downs committee that included Racing Secretary Ben Huffman, Senior Director of Communications Darren Rogers, Senior Racing Analyst Jill Byrne, Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager Gary Palmisano and Vice President, Racing Communications John Asher, selected this year’s first pool of wagering interests.
The complete list of the 24 betting interests (with morning line odds) includes Bob Baffert’s unbeaten, multiple grade one winner American Pharoah (12-1), Blofeld (20-1), Calculator (20-1), Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (GI) winner Carpe Diem (20-1), Classy Class (50-1), Competitive Edge (20-1), Daredevil (20-1), Dortmund (50-1), Eagle (50-1), El Kabeir (50-1), Frosted (50-1), I Spent It (50-1), Imperia (50-1), Lord Nelson (30-1), Lucky Player (50-1), Mr. Z (30-1), last weekend’s Delta Jackpot (GIII) winner Ocho Ocho Ocho (20-1), Ostrolenka (50-1), Punctuate (50-1), Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner Texas Red (15-1), The Great War (30-1), Unblunted (50-1), Upstart (20-1), and All-Others (3-5).
Real-time odds for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager can be found on the official Kentucky Derby website. Brisnet is offering free Past Performances for all Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 interests.
Gates open at Churchill Downs at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with first post at 12:40 p.m. Kentucky Derby Future Wagers can be made at all windows and self-service betting machines. If you can’t make it to the track, wagering is available through most online wagering accounts.
CLOSING WEEKEND
Don’t forget that this is closing weekend for Churchill Downs’ fall meet. Live racing runs Wednesday, Nov. 27 through closing day, Sunday, Nov. 30. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post at 12:40 p.m. Gates open Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m., with first post at 11:30 a.m. General admission is $3.
Admission is free for Sunday’s Fan Appreciation Day. Fans will also be able to partake of $1 Bud/Bud Light, $1 bottled water, $1 soft drinks, and $1 hot dogs. And if that’s not enough, Humana is sponsoring a 2015 calendar giveaway to the first 5,000 fans.
Photo: Churchill Downs
