Unbeaten Sam F. Davis (G3) winner McCraken (#15, 6-1) and Fountain of Youth (G2) hero Gunnevera (#10, 6-1) head 23 individual interests for Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), which begins its three-day run on Friday, March 31.
The co-favorites are the only betting interests listed at single-digit odds on Mike Battaglia’s morning line.
It’s a four-way tie for third choice at 10-1 between Gotham (G3) winner J Boys Echo (#13), unbeaten Southwest (G3) victor One Liner (#17), Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tapwrit (#21) and the Mutuel Field (#24) of “all other” 3-year-olds.
The mutuel field closed as the favorite in the three previous pools. Notable runners in the Pool 4 mutuel field include Fast and Accurate and Hence, who guaranteed themselves a spot in the Kentucky Derby field via wins in the Spiral (G3) and Sunland Derby (G3).
McCraken, who is 3-for-3 at Churchill Downs including a convincing win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last fall, was the lowest-priced individual at 6-1 in Pool 3.
Champion 2-year-old male Classic Empire (#12) has been installed at 12-1. He was the lowest-priced individual in Pool 1 (6-1) and Pool 2 (5-1) of the KDFW, but the colt’s 3-year-old campaign has been interrupted by physical issues. Classic Empire is back training for Mark Casse and is scheduled to receive a final prep race for the May 6 Kentucky Derby.
Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with five individuals: Always Dreaming (#1, 50-1), Battalion Runner (#2, 30-1), Malagacy (#14, 30-1), One Liner and Tapwrit.
Six newcomers were added to Pool 4: last-out allowance winner Battle of Midway (#3, 50-1), Gotham runner-up Cloud Computing (#5, 15-1), Risen Star (G2) scorer Girvin (#7, 30-1), J Boys Echo, last-out allowance runner-up Reach the World (#19, 50-1) and UAE Derby (G2) winner Thunder Snow (#22, 15-1).
Pool 4 opens at noon (ET) Friday and closes at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Official rules prohibit scratches or refunds, and Churchill Downs will suspend wagering immediately if an individual is declared from consideration due to injury or other circumstance.
Free Brisnet.com Past Performances and real-time odds for KDFW Pool 4 are available at www.KentuckyDerby.com.
