MUTUEL FIELD FAVORED IN WEATHER-HAMPERED DERBY FUTURES POOL -- The betting habits of Kentucky Derby fans in Pool 1 Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) remains a model of consistency. The four-day pool closed Sunday evening at racetracks and satellite wagering outlets in 34 states and, for the fifth time in as many years, the mutuel field emerged as the Pool 1 favorite.

The field, which includes all 3-year-old Thoroughbreds other than the 23 individual horses in the pool, stood as a strong 2-1 favorite when wagering concluded Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (EST). The $2.20-to-1 odds were the lowest for a favorite in any pool in KDFW history.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Badge of Silver saw his odds plummet after a 10-length winner in the Risen Star (Grade II) at the Fair Grounds and ended up as the second choice in Pool 1 at odds of 11-1. He edged a quartet of 12-1 shots: Toccet, Kafwain, Sky Mesa and Empire Maker.

Pool 1 odds also dropped significantly on the stars of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby preps at Gulfstream Park. Einar Robsham’s Trust N Luck was a 99-1 shot when wagering in the pool opened on Saturday, but he closed at 19-1 after his 5 1/4-length victory in the Fountain of Youth (GI). Michael Tabor’s Lion Tamer, a 44-1 shot early on Saturday, dropped to a closing price of 20-1 after a six-length romp in the Hutcheson (GII).

Wagering on the four-day pool totaled $516,906 despite a winter storm that hampered wagering in several Midwest and Northeast markets on Sunday, which is always the strongest day of wagering in any four-day Derby Futures pool. The total for Pool 1 included $255,651 wagered during its final hours on Sunday.

Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is scheduled for March 13-16 and Pool 3 is set for April 3-6. A new Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool will also be conducted during the April KDFW dates.

Final odds and “will pays” for KDFW Pool are available at www.kentuckyderby.com.

Southeast -- Einar Robsham’s Trust N Luck had eight career starts coming into Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (GI) at Gulfstream Park, but had never strayed beyond his home base of Florida’s Calder Race Course to compete.

Following the Ralph Ziadie-trained colt’s 5 1/4-length romp in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, Trust N Luck’s highly-regarded opponents no doubt wished he had stayed at home.

The son of Montbrook led from the opening bell under jockey Cornelio Velasquez to stamp himself as a major contender for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (GI), which was won in similar fashion last year by War Emblem.

The runner-up was Supah Blitz, another Calder-based runner who finished just ahead of Midway Cat and Holy Bull (GIII) winner Offlee Wild. The highly regarded Whywhywhy (fifth) and favored Ten Cents A Shine (seventh) failed to threaten.

On the day after Trust N Luck’s biggest win, the Haitian-born Ziadie said the colt came out of his race in “super shape” and had earned a berth in the $1 million Florida Derby at 1 1/8-miles on March 15. There could be more company on the front end in that race, but the trainer said that should not be a problem for Trust N Luck.

“I don’t think he has to be in front,” Ziadie said. “I think he’ll be able to go farther.”

The connections of 2-3-4 finishers -- Supah Blitz, Midway Cat and Offlee Wild -- indicated that, if all goes well, those horses would likely be back for a rematch with Trust N Luck in the Florida Derby. But trainer Patrick Biancone said it appears that Whywhywhy has distance limitations and would likely be pointed to the seven-furlong Swale (GIII) on the Florida Derby undercard.

Trainer Ken McPeek said a post-race examination of beaten favorite Ten Cents A Shine revealed that the Ohio-bred colt was suffering from a serious lung infection. “I still think the Florida Derby is a possibility,” said McPeek, “but we’ll have to see what happens between now and then.”

n As impressive as Trust N Luck was in winning the Fountain of Youth,, many fans at Gulfstream Park thought the most impressive 3-year-old on display on Saturday was Michael Tabor’s Lion Tamer.

The son of Will’s Way unleashed a burst of speed in the stretch on his way to a dazzling six-length victory over Crafty Guy in the seven-furlong Hutcheson (GII) on the Fountain of Youth undercard. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he is not sure where the chestnut colt will run next, but Lion Tamer has clearly moved near the top of the trainer’s promising group of Kentucky Derby and Visa Triple Crown contenders.

“He might be one of the best horses I’ve ever trained,” said Pletcher. “He may be a special horse and we’ll have to stretch him out now. We’ve got a lot of options and a lot of races we could run him in.”

Lion Tamer, who was purchased by Tabor in January for an undisclosed price, lost to multiple stakes winner Zavata in his racing debut last May at Belmont Park, but is unbeaten in three subsequent races.

n Calumet Farm, which owned eight Kentucky Derby winners and bred nine, is one of the special names in the history of the “Run for the Roses” and it could have a contender for this year’s Derby in Region of Merit. The Christophe Clement-trained son of Touch Gold scored a five-length victory in a mile & 70 yard allowance race on Saturday at Gulfstream. Also impressive on Saturday’s Gulfstream card was Tabor’s Aristocat, a Pletcher-trained son of Tale of the Cat who won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race.

Central -- Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey were undoubtedly disappointed by the dull effort turned in by their Ten Cents A Shine in the Fountain of Youth, but any lingering sadness was blown away 24 hours later when their Badge of Silver scored a brilliant victory in the Risen Star (GIII) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

The Ronny Werner-trained son of Silver Deputy stalked the pacesetting Saintly Look, moved to the lead on the far turn and quickly drew away to win by 10 lengths under jockey Robby Albarado. Bashford Manor (GIII) winner Lone Star Sky held on for second in the field of 12 and Defrere’s Vixen closed for third. Favored Indy Dancer was never a factor and finished seventh.

“Let’s hope he comes out of it the right way and we’ll take the next step with him,” said Werner, who has never saddled a starter in the Kentucky Derby. “He acted professional and that was the way we wanted it.”

Badge of Silver initially turned heads with a nine-length victory in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race last April at Keeneland, but he was forced to the sidelines by a cracked cannon bone. Werner brought him back to competition on Jan. 23, when he won a six-furlong allowance race at the Fair Grounds by seven lengths. The Risen Star marked Badge of Silver’s debut in stakes competition and at a two-turn distance.

“I’m really looking forward to going to the Kentucky Derby with this one,” said Ken Ramsey. “His performances today was awesome. What else can you say?”

West -- The Thoroughbred Corp’s Kafwain, winner of the San Vicente (GII), continues to train sharply for trainer Bob Baffert.

The son of Cherokee Run breezed five furlongs on Sunday in :59.60 over a “good” track at Santa Anita. Exercise rider Dana Barnes was aboard for the work, which was the fastest of 109 moves at the distance.

Baffert said he is “leaning toward” running Kafwain in the Louisiana Derby (GII) on March 9.

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