Champ Classic Empire The Solid Individual Choice, But 'All Others' Is Favored in Kentucky Derby Futures Pool 2

Jan 30, 2017 John Asher

John C. Oxley’s champion Classic Empire (#3) edged unbeaten rising stars Mastery (#12) and McCraken (#14) to be the favored individual contender for the 143^rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), but the ever-popular Mutuel Field (#24), or “All Others,” continued its traditional run as the betting favorite in the second of four pools of Churchill Downs’ 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”), which completed its three-day run on Sunday, Jan. 29.

The Mutuel Field, which includes all 3-year-old Thoroughbreds other than the 23 individual horses on the roster of 24 betting interests, closed as the 5-2 fan’s choice in the Derby Futures Pool when betting ceased Sunday at 6 p.m. (EST). The Mutuel Field has been favored in each of the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools of the calendar year since the pari-mutuel future bet was introduced in 1999.

John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire, the unanimous selection as Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old of 2016 and winner of the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Santa Anita, was the favored individual 3-year-old throughout the three days of betting. The Mark Casse trainee has won four of his five career starts and earned $1,485,920.

A pair of unbeatens finished in virtual dead-heat for the position as overall third choice and second choice among individual horses. Cheyenne Stables LLC’s Mastery (#12, 9-1) and Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC’s McCraken (#13, 9-1) closed as the co-third choices with fewer than $100 in bets separating the duo. A total of $18,160 was wagered on the Bob Baffert-trained Mastery, while $18,105 was bet on trainer Ian Wilkes’ McCraken.

A total of $330,042 was wagered in Pool 2, including $102,162 in exacta wagering.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager provides racing fans with the opportunity to wager on contenders for the Kentucky Derby at odds that could be more attractive than those available on the day of America’s greatest race. Payouts in the win and exacta wagering in Pool 2 were determined by the odds in place at Sunday’s conclusion of wagering.

The Future Wager offers $2 minimum win wagering on 24 betting interests that include 23 individual horses and the Mutuel Field, which includes all 3-year-old Thoroughbreds other than the individual wagering interests in a respective pool. Each pool also offers $2 exacta wagering on the 24 wagering interests, with the latter also available in $1 minimum increments in boxes and other multiple number configurations.

Other betting interests attracting solid support in KDFW Pool 2 were the Baffert-trained American Anthem (#1, 15-1), Remsen (GII) winner Mo Town (#14, 15-1) and Sham (GIII) and FrontRunner (GI) winner Gormley (#7, 19-1).

The third of four 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools is scheduled for Feb. 24-26.

CLICK HERE for a complete rundown of final odds and $2 win will-pays for Pool 2 of the 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

For a look at $2 exacta will-pays for KDFW Pool 2, CLICK HERE.