Third Derby Future Wager opens Thursday

Zito hopes for third Kentucky Derby win with High Fly  (Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

Florida Derby (G1) winner HIGH FLY (Atticus) has been installed as the 8-1
favorite on the morning-line for Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which
opens at noon (EDT) on Thursday and will conclude at 6 p.m. Sunday. The
Nick Zito trainee is the only betting interest in single digits. High Fly won
three of his four starts this year, including the Fountain of Youth (G2) in early
March.

Stablemate SUN KING (Charismatic), winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), is
listed with San Felipe S. (G2) victor CONSOLIDATOR (Storm Cat) and champion two-year-old
filly SWEET CATOMINE (Storm Cat) as the 10-1 co-second choices. NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant’s
Causeway) and the mutuel field are each at 12-1.

“We’ve had some individual horses over the years that were strong favorites
in Pool 3, such as Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000 and Empire Maker in 2003 — but this
year’s final Kentucky Derby Future Pool is wide open, ” Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia
said. “I think the only way we could have a strong favorite would be to lump all
four of trainer Nick Zito’s contenders together. The presence of Sweet Catomine
should also make this pool a lot of fun. If she could beat the boys impressively
in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), she could end up as the favorite in both this
pool and the Kentucky Derby (G1) itself.”

Eight new colts have been added to the third pool — BELLAMY ROAD (Concerto),
BLUES AND ROYALS (Honour and Glory), CLOSING ARGUMENT (Successful Appeal),
FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), GREELEY’S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley), PAVO (Marquetry),
SURVIVALIST (Danzig) and WILD DESERT (Wild Rush).