Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool Opening This Weekend

In the first of three Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools scheduled during the lead-up to the first Saturday in May, the “field” is the heavy 9-to-5 favorite on the morning line, according to Churchill Downs. Algorithms, the smashing winner of the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, is the favorite among the 23 individual betting interests at 8-to-1.

Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager kicks off at noon Eastern on Feb. 9 and closes at 6 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 11. There is just one Kentucky Derby prep on this weekend's slate of Stakes races—the Grade 2, seven-furlong Hutcheson Stakes that will feature the 3-year-old debut of Ever So Lucky. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, Ever So Lucky is 20-to-1 on the morning line.

The “mutuel field,” which encompasses all other 3-year-olds not listed among the 23 individual betting interests, is traditionally made the heavy betting favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. This year, especially with the recent defeat of last year's champion 2-year-old Hansen in the Holy Bull, that trend figures to continue.

Algorithms, who is one of four individual betting interests in the pool for trainer Todd Pletcher, skyrocketed to the top of potential Kentucky Derby winners with his emphatic win in the Holy Bull. That was the first in a Stakes and the first going two turns for the son of red-hot sire Bernardini.

Churchill Downs' oddsmaker Mike Battaglia said he expects Algorithms to be the solid second-choice among bettors behind the mutuel field in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

“The mutuel field has been a solid favorite in every opening pool of the Kentucky Derby Future wager, and given the loss by 2-year-old champion Hansen in his first start as a 3-year-old, there is every reason to think the “all others” bet will be a strong-to-heavy favorite in what appears to be a wide-open crop of Kentucky Derby candidates,” Battaglia said. “The 'now' horse is Algorithms, who is unbeaten, comes from the Pletcher barn, has a strong pedigree, and easily handled the reigning 2-year-old champ in the Holy Bull. The speed figures assigned to the win were impressive, so you can expect a lot of bettors to move in his direction.”)

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a $2 minimum bet and there are no refunds. Wagering is available at racetracks and simulcast facilities across the country as well as most online wagering platforms.

Here is the complete list of Pool 1 wagering interests and their morning line odds:rn1. Algorithms, 8-to-1rn2. Alpha, 20-to-1rn3. Battle Hardene, 30-to-1rn4. Creative Cause, 20-to-1rn5. Discreet Dancer, 15-to-1rn6. Dulahan, 20-to-1rn7. El Padrino, 20-to-1rn8. Empire Way, 50-to-1rn9. Ever So Lucky, 20-to-1rn10. Fed Biz, 20-to-1rn11. Gemologist, 20-to-1rn12. Hansen, 12-to-1rn13. I'll Have Another, 20-to-1rn14. Junebugred, 50-to-1rn15. Liaison, 20-to-1rn16. Longview Drive, 50-to-1rn17. Midnight Transfer, 50-to-1rn18. Mr. Bowling, 50-to-1rn19. Out of Bounds, 20-to-1rn20. Rousing Sermon, 30-to-1rn21. Sabercat, 30-to-1rn22. Take Charge Indy, 30-to-1rn23. Union Rags, 10-to-1rn24. All Other 3YO's, 9-to-5

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager will continue with Pool 2 March 2-4 and concludes with Pool 3 March 30-April 1.