Zazu, Kathmanblu Favored After Opening Session of 2011 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager
The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager (“KOFW”) pool of 2011 figured to be a wide-open affair and the first of its three days of betting of lived up to that expectation by ending in a near dead-heat between Las Virgenes (Grade I) winner Zazu (#23) and Kathmanblu (#11), winner of the Golden Rod (GII) and Rachel Alexandra (GIII), for the honor of being the early favorite to win the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (GI).
Zazu, a gray daughter of Tapit trained by John Sadler, stood as the narrow 9-2 choice over Kathmanblu, the Ken McPeek-trained star who ended the day at 5-1.The mutuel field (#24), which includes all 3-year-old fillies other than the 23 individual horses in the pool, was a close third choice at 6-1.
Racing fans wagered $10,202 on the opening day of the Oaks Future bet, with $6,739 in win bets and $3,463 in exacta wagers. Betting on the Kentucky Oaks pool will resume at noon (all times Eastern) on Saturday and the three-day pool will conclude with a noon-6:30 p.m. session on Sunday, March 13. Betting on the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool will close 30 minutes after the conclusion of betting in the second of three pools of its companion Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The Kentucky Oaks Future bet is offered at racetracks and off-track betting centers throughout North America, and through Twinspires.com and other advance deposit wagering outlets.
The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager offers fans the opportunity bet on contenders for the 137th running of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at odds that could be much more attractive than those available when America’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies is run on Friday, May 6, at Churchill Downs. The Oaks, which attracted record on-track attendance of 116,046 in 2010, will be telecast live on NBC’s Versus network.
Also attracting solid support in Friday’s opening day betting were Pocahontas (GII) winner Dancinginherdreams (#4) at 11-1; Davona Dale (GII) winner at Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) runner-up R Heat Lightning (#16) at 12-1; Delightful Mary (#5), third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, at 14-1; Silverbulletday winner Bouquet Booth (15-1); and Frizette (GI) winner A Z Warrior (#1) at 18-1.
The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager’s win and exacta bets are $2 minimum wagers, and there are no refunds. If it is determined that an individual horse has suffered an illness, injury or other circumstance that would prevent that betting interest from competing in the Kentucky Oaks, wagering on that filly will be suspended immediately.
Eight of the 23 individual fillies in the Oaks Future pool will compete on Saturday in the $100,000 Honeybee (GIII) at Oaklawn Park or the $75,000 Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs. Holy Heavens (#7), Joyful Victory (#10), Rigoletta (#17), Salty Strike (#19) and Summer Soiree (#21) will run at Oaklawn. Miss Smarty Pants (#13), Royal Delta (#18) and Wyomia (#22) will compete in the Tampa Bay Downs race.
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KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE WAGER March 11-13 Day 1, Friday, March 11 |
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# |
Wagering Interest |
Morning Line |
Fri., March 11 |
|
1 |
A Z Warrior |
15-1 |
18-1 |
|
2 |
Big Tiz |
20-1 |
52-1 |
|
3 |
Bouquet Booth |
20-1 |
15-1 |
|
4 |
Dancinginherdreams |
10-1 |
11-1 |
|
5 |
Delightful Mary |
15-1 |
14-1 |
|
6 |
Harlan’s Ruby |
20-1 |
57-1 |
|
7 |
Holy Heavens |
50-1 |
72-1 |
|
8 |
Inglorious |
30-1 |
18-1 |
|
9 |
It’s Tricky |
10-1 |
28-1 |
|
10 |
Joyful Victory |
20-1 |
27-1 |
|
11 |
Kathmanblu |
12-1 |
5-1 |
|
12 |
Mildly Offensive |
50-1 |
17-1 |
|
13 |
Miss Smarty Pants |
50-1 |
32-1 |
|
14 |
Oh Carole |
50-1 |
44-1 |
|
15 |
Pomeroys Pistol |
30-1 |
99-1 |
|
16 |
R Heat Lightning |
8-1 |
12-1 |
|
17 |
Rigoletta |
30-1 |
50-1 |
|
18 |
Royal Delta |
20-1 |
27-1 |
|
19 |
Salty Strike |
30-1 |
93-1 |
|
20 |
Snow Fall |
50-1 |
55-1 |
|
21 |
Summer Soiree |
50-1 |
67-1 |
|
22 |
Wyomia |
50-1 |
59-1 |
|
23 |
Zazu |
8-1 |
9-2 |
|
24 |
Mutuel Field (All Other 3YO Fillies) |
5-2 |
6-1 |
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Morning Line Odds by Mike Battaglia |
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