In the ever changing world of Kentucky derby prep races and hopeful contenders, the three future pools are strong delineation points to an unfolding picture. The first of three future pools of the Kentucky derby ended at 6 p.m. Sunday night. As expected the field (aka the all button) ended as the 3/2 chalk by the time windows closed
Here is a rundown of notable moves in the odds;
Union Rags: started at 10-1 ended at 7-1, nothing particularly surprising here since he has yet to run this year. Last time we saw him he was drifting out badly in the Breeders Cup.
Algorithms: despite jockey Javier Castellano opting for Algorithms over favorite Union Rags, the Bernardini colt went from 8 to 12-1 in the betting. Perhaps this is due to his 105 Beyer in the Holy Bull was earned when he freaked in the slop, another indication that the dwindling number of horse players is a school of well informed sharks, with few guppies jumping into the pool.
Ever So Lucky: Yesterday’s scratch in the Hutcheson is most likely the main culprit in this Jonathan Sheppard trained horse dropping from 20-1 on Thursday to 55-1. The Indian Charlie colt has had his share of physical problems, the fact that he is out of Indian Charlie is enough for me to not bet him at the mile and a quarter of the derby.
Discreet Dancer: Another one who may be limited in the stamina category. While brilliant up to a mile, his daddy Discreet Cat may have been one of the most exciting horses to run in the 21st century, but make no mistake he was built to be a miler. Discreet Dancer went from 15-1 to 30-1
Hansen: Perhaps it was his loss in the Holy Bull, or maybe it’s his front running style that makes it so difficult to win the torrid pace that is laid down in the derby, last year’s two year old champ drops from 12 to 26-1
Fed Biz: The buzz horse this weekend was the Bob Baffort trained, Fed Biz, who won an allowance race at Santa Anita this weekend. Looking very smooth and fluid on the turn for home, the $950k purchase by Kaleem Shah Inc impressed drawing off to a 5 ¾ length victory. Final odds were 21-1
For those bettors feeling ambitious there is also an exacta bet, which is a touch more reasonable in the later two pools. Hitting the exacta in first future pool is the equivalent of an undrafted Chinese kid from Harvard coming off the bench, while two high priced all stars are out and leading them to five victories in a row? Wait a minute…? Never mind.
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