Derby News

Unbeaten Curlin, a dominating 10 ½-length winner of Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (Grade II) at Oaklawn Park, emerged as a solid favorite heading into Sunday's last day of betting in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager ("KDFW").

Owned by a partnership that includes Stonestreet Farm, Padua Stable, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stable, the Steve Asmussen-trained 3-year-old son of Smart Strike was a tepid 6-1 favorite heading into Saturday's wagering, but saw fan support strengthen and his odds plummet to 7-2 following his overpowering Oaklawn victory.

James Tafel's Street Sense, last year's 2-year-old champion and runner-up by a nose in Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland, was the 8-1 second choice at the end of Saturday's betting. Others with strong support included Florida Derby (GI) winner Scat Daddy and Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Circular Quay, the 9-1 co-third choices. Wood Memorial (GI) winner Nobiz Like Shobiz stood at 11-1, Lane's End (GII) winner Hard Spun was at 12-1, and Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Tiago stood at 13-1. Toyota Blue Grass winner Dominican, 70-1 to start the day, closed at 24-1.

Wagering on Notional (#14) was suspended Saturday evening when trainer Doug O'Neill revealed that an ankle injury would keep the colt out of the Kentucky Derby.

Fans at racetracks and simulcast outlets across North America and Canada pushed $211,649 through the mutuel windows on Saturday to increase the KDFW Pool 3 wagering total to $261,106. That pushed total betting on the year's three Derby Future pools to $1,111,950 with Sunday's final day of Pool 3 wagering remaining. Betting is scheduled to resume on Sunday at noon (all times EDT) and the pool will close at 6 p.m.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager allows racing fans to wager on contenders for the 133rd Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands at odds that could be significantly better than those they would receive on the day of the race. The wager is a $2 minimum bet and a win wager only. There are no refunds in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and winning payouts on Kentucky Derby Day will be based on the odds that are in place at the conclusion of each of the three KDFW pools.

The 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at Churchill Downs. Information and real-time odds on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager are available at the official Kentucky Derby Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.

<< Back to News