May 1, 2024

Bolt d’Oro-Justify showdown to impact Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Bolt d’Oro (#2) has been installed as a slight 5-1 morning line favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), which kicks off its three-day run Friday, but Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) likely will determine favoritism since it also includes Justify (#12, 6-1), who was bet down as the 6-1 individual choice in Pool 3.

One of three major Kentucky Derby qualifiers Saturday along with the Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland and Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, the Santa Anita Derby features a heavyweight match-up between the multiple Grade 1-winning Bolt d’Oro, who has been well-supported in all three future pools and returned this season with a victory via DQ in the March 10 San Felipe (G2); and unbeaten Justify, who will make his highly-anticipated stakes debut for four-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert following a pair of sharp wins.

Audible (#1), who is listed as the 6-1 co-second choice with Justify, will receive support off a pair of impressive tallies in the Holy Bull (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park that generated 105-107 BRIS Speed ratings.

Other prominent performers include 2-year-old champion Good Magic (#8), pegged at 8-1 in the KDFW by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia in advance of Saturday’s Blue Grass; Mendelssohn (#15, 10-1), an Irish-based colt who will look to make a serious impact following a track record-setting 18 ½-length romp in the U.A.E. Derby (G2); and Magnum Moon (#10, 10-1), who remained unbeaten with a convincing win in the March 17 Rebel (G2) and rates as the probable heavy favorite in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (G1).

Audible and Magnum Moon are part of a three-horse KDFW contingent for Todd Pletcher, who is also represented by TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) scorer Noble Indy (#18, 20-1). A trio of trainers will be two-deep in Pool 4 including Baffert, who has Arkansas Derby-bound Solomini (#22, 20-1) along with Justify.

Wagering on Pool 4, which is available at TwinSpires.com, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup World Championships, begins at noon (ET) on Friday and closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday. No scratches or refunds are permitted.

Free past performances for KDFW Pool 4 are provided by Brisnet.com.

Real-time odds and exacta will-pays can be viewed throughout the three-day pool at KentuckyDerby.com and the $2 minimum win bet features 24 wagering interests consisting of 23 individual horses and the Mutuel Field (#24) of all other 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Winning payouts will be determined by the odds in place when wagering concludes Sunday evening. Exacta wagering is offered as a $2 minimum, with part-wheels available in $1 increments.

Pool 4 field:

# Horse M/L
1. Audible 6-1
2. Bolt d’Oro 5-1
3. Bravazo 50-1
4. Combatant 30-1
5. Enticed 20-1
6. Flameaway 30-1
7. Free Drop Billy 30-1
8. Good Magic 8-1
9. Gronkowski 30-1
10. Hofburg 30-1
11. Instilled Regard 50-1
12. Justify 6-1
13. Lone Sailor 50-1
14. Magnum Moon 10-1
15. Mendelssohn 10-1
16. Mississippi 50-1
17. My Boy Jack 30-1
18. Noble Indy 20-1
19. Promises Fulfilled 30-1
20. Quip 50-1
21. Runaway Ghost 50-1
22. Solomini 20-1
23. Title Ready 50-1
24. All Other 3YOs 10-1