The Kentucky Derby Future Wager has been a popular betting event since it started in 1999. With the Kentucky Derby still three months away, it may seem a little early to start talking Derby contenders and narrowing a pick, but as far as future wagers go, if you don’t already have one in, you’re late! Churchill Downs offered its first of four future wager pools for this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders back in November, at the close of its fall meet. Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 opens Thursday, Feb. 6, at noon EST and closes Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. EST (or prior to the post time for Santa Anita’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2)). The two remaining Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools will run Feb. 27 – Mar. 1 (and coincides with the only Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool) and Mar. 27 – Mar. 29.
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager allows bettors the opportunity at higher odds than may be available on Derby Day. However, there are no refunds if your horse doesn’t start in the Kentucky Derby or is injured or otherwise removed from consideration during pool wagering. Churchill Downs will immediately suspend wagering on a horse if it learns that something has happened to a horse to prevent it from entering the Kentucky Derby.
The pari-mutuel wager offers bettors 23 individual betting interests and one “All Others.” The Kentucky Derby Future Wager offers a minimum $2 win wager only, no place or show wagering. Also offered is a minimum $2 straight exacta wager or a minimum $1 boxed exacta or part-wheel wager. Wagering interests for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools are selected by a panel of horse racing experts, including Gary West, Brad Free, Ed DeRosa, and John Asher. Churchill Downs oddsmaker, Mike Battaglia, sets the morning-line odds for each of the betting interests.
Installed as the morning-line favorite in this year’s Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 is the “All Others” option at 7-5. First choice in the individual interests is Holy Bull (G2) winner Cairo Prince at odds of 8-1. The Kiaran McLaughlin runner closed at 26-1 in Pool 1. Tied for second choice among the individual interests is Jerry Hollendorfer’s 2-Year-Old Eclipse Champion, Shared Belief, and Claude “Shug” McGaughey’s Remsen winner, Honor Code, both at odds of 10-1. Honor Code closed at those same odds as the favorite individual betting interest in Pool 1. Shared Belief was 32-1 at the close of that Pool.
Many contenders that appeared in Pool 1 are back in Pool 2. Several others from Pool 1 are now absent in Pool 2, but have been replaced by several newcomers. Those returning along with their Pool 2 odds and Pool 1 odds in parentheses are: Bobby’s Kitten 30-1 (28-1), Commissioner 20-1 (33-1), Havana 30-1 (26-1), Noble Moon 30-1 (63-1), Rise Up 30-1 (50-1), and Strong Mandate 20-1 (27-1).
The newcomers in Pool 2, with odds, are: California Chrome 50-1, Candy Boy 50-1, Conquest Titan 30-1, Indianapolis 20-1, Intense Holiday 50-1, Kristo 30-1, Matterhorn 50-1, Midnight Hawk 20-1, Samraat 30-1, Tapiture 20-1, Tonalist 50-1, Top Billing 15-1, Uncle Sigh 50-1, and Vicar’s in Trouble 20-1.
A complete list of the 24 betting interests, plus real-time odds, for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager can be found on the official Kentucky Derby website. To place your future wager, visit Churchill Downs’ simulcasting venue, the Parlay Room. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. You can also wager through various online wagering accounts like Twinspires.com, Xpressbet, DRF Bets, and TVG.
Once again, Brisnet is offering free Past Performances for all Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 interests.
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a fun way to get in the game early and start analyzing the Kentucky Derby contenders. Maybe your horse won’t make the Kentucky Derby or maybe your horse will go on to win the Preakness or Belmont. Either way, it’s a good excuse to start talking Derby!
Photo: J. Oswald
