Union Rags Derby Future Favorite Heading Into Final Day

Apr 01, 2012 John Asher

Despite a surprising loss as the odds-on favorite in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (Grade I), Chadds Ford Stable’s Union Rags (#22) is the 7-2 favorite heading into the final day of betting in the third and final pool of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”).

 

            Although he finished third to fellow KDFW Pool 3 betting interest Take Charge Indy (#21) and longshot Reveron at Gulfstream Park earlier in the day, the Michael Matz-trained Union Rags reclaimed the position of favorite among 24 wagering interests from 2011 2-year-old champion Hansen (#8), who was the 2-1 favorite after the pool’s opening day of betting on Friday. 

 

            Hansen was the 5-1 second choice and the mutuel field (#24), or “All Others”, was next at 6-1 at the end of Saturday’s betting at racetracks and off-track betting centers, and online wagering at TwinSpires.com and other advance deposit wagering platform.  Odds on Take Charge Indy dropped sharply after his Florida Derby upset for trainer Patrick Byrne.  The son of A.P. Indy opened Saturday’s betting at 50-1, but was a 21-1 risk at day’s end.

 

            Total betting in KDFW Pool stands at $227,072 heading into Pool 3’s final day on Sunday.   The total includes $172,795 in win betting and $54,277 in exacta wagers.

 

            Kentucky Derby Future betting will resume on Sunday at noon (all times Eastern) and the pool will conclude at special closing time of 6:30 p.m. (Eastern).  KDFW pools normally close at 6 p.m., but Sunday’s wagering will be extended by 30 minutes to allow fans to consider the results of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (GII) at Fair Grounds, which has a scheduled Sunday post time of 5:55 p.m. 

 

            The future bet allows fans of the famed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) the opportunity to wager on Derby contenders weeks in advance of the race.  Those bettors will receive odds that are in place at Sunday’s conclusion of betting, and they could be considerably larger and more attractive than those available at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 5.  The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a $2 minimum wager and offers win and exacta wagering, along with $1 exacta boxes and part-wheels.

 

            Saturday’s other major Kentucky Derby prep went to Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Daddy Long Legs, who won the $2 million UAE Derby (Group II) at Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse and is a member of the “All Others” bet.  On Sunday, Pool 3 interest Mark Valeski (#12) heads a field of 14 in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.  Trainer J. Larry Jones’ colt is the only KDFW Pool 3 betting interest in that race.

            Real time odds and other information on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager can be found at the official event Web site at www.KentuckyDerby.com. 

Click here for a PDF copy at KDFW Pool 3 odds heading into Sunday's final day of betting.