Derby News

Unbeaten Curlin, a dazzling winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Grade II) on Saturday, emerged as a strong favorite over such accomplished rivals as 2006 2-year-old champion Street Sense and Wood Memorial (GI) winner Nobiz Like Shobiz when betting drew to a close in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager ("KDFW").

Curlin - a son of Smart Strike owned by a partnership that includes Stonestreet Farm, Padua Stable, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stable - was the 7-2 choice of Derby fans across the United States and Canada when betting in the April 12-15 pool concluded at 6 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt romped to an impressive 10 ½-length victory in the Arkansas Derby on Saturday and, despite his relative lack of experience, was favored during each of Pool 3's final three days.

The colt has won his three lifetime races by a combined margin of 28 ¾-lengths. If he justifies the faith of Pool 3 bettors and wins the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on May 5, he will have overcome two significant historical hurdles. The last horse to win the Kentucky Derby off only three lifetime starts was the filly Regret in 1915. Curlin started his racing career in February and the last horse to win the "Run for the Roses" without the benefit of racing at two was Apollo in 1882.

Street Sense, named 2-year-old champion of 2006 after his record 10-length victory in the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) last fall at Churchill Downs, closed as the 6-1 second choice after losing a narrow nose decision to Dominican in Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland. Louisiana Derby (GII) winner Circular Quay was the third choice at 9-1, followed by Wood Memorial winner Nobiz Like Shobiz at 10-1. Dominican, who was listed at 50-1 in the KDFW Pool 3 morning line odds and had opened Saturday's betting at 70-1, closed at odds of 17-1 after his upset victory in the Toyota Blue Grass. Other horses that enjoyed solid support in KDFW Pool 3 included Florida Derby (GI) winner Scat Daddy (11-1), Lane's End (GII) winner Hard Spun (13-1), Santa Anita Derby winner Tiago (14-1), Any Given Saturday (14-1), and Great Hunter (15-1).

Kentucky Derby fans at racetracks and satellite wagering outlets across the United States and Canada wagered $465,123 in KDFW Pool 3, which is the third highest total for the year's final pool since the wager was introduced in 1999. Total betting for the three KDFW pools of 2007 rose to $1,365,424, the fourth highest three-pool total in the bet's nine-year history.

Wagering on Notional (#14) was suspended Saturday evening when trainer Doug O'Neill revealed that an ankle injury would keep the Risen Star (GIII) winner out of the Kentucky Derby. Betting on Birdbirdistheword (#3) was suspended prior to the start of Pool 3 betting on Thursday when trainer Ken McPeek said the winner of the $1 million Delta Jackpot (GIII) was no longer being considered as a candidate to run in the Kentucky Derby.

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 presented by Yum! Brands is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at Churchill Downs. Information on the "Run for the Roses" and the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is available at the official Kentucky Derby Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.

2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final

*New wagering interest in KDFW Pool 3

Morning Line Odds by Mike Battaglia

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