Field favored in Derby Pool 1-j

First Samurai won four of his five outings in 2005  (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com)

The entry for all other three-year-olds was bet down to 3-1 favoritism at the
conclusion of Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday evening,
attracting a total of $115,631 in wagers. This continued an historical trend, as
the field has been favored in the opening pool each year since the inception of this wager
in 1999.

FIRST SAMURAI (Giant’s Causeway) led the individual entries at odds of 7-1.
The Champagne S. (G1) winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) third place
finisher attracted $51,600. STEVIE WONDERBOY (Stephen Got Even), recently crowned as
2005’s juvenile champion, came next in the betting at 8-1 while taking in
$50,168. The colt was a good
second in the San Rafael S. (G2) in his latest effort and is pointing for a
start in the $200,000 Santa Catalina S. (G2) on March 4 at Santa Anita.

PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow), winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in his
last outing, was next at 14-1 ($30,308), while Remsen S. (G2) hero BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm
Cat) went off at 15-1 ($27,691) and Grade 1 hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) was right
behind at 16-1 ($26,430).

Total wagering on Pool 1 reached $552,627, down slightly from last year’s total of
$620,362, which remains an all-time high. Pool 2 will be conducted from March
2-5, while Pool 3 will be held April 6-9.