Wood Memoral Winner I Want Revenge Favored In Final Pool of Churchill Downs Derby Future Wager

Apr 06, 2009 John Asher

David Lanzman and IEAH Stable's I Want Revenge, who overcame a poor start and significant traffic concerns to win Saturday's Wood Memorial (GI) at Aqueduct, emerged a solid favorite to win the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) as the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager ('KDFW') completed its four-day run on Sunday, April 5.

            The Jeff Mullins-trained son of Stephen Got Even, now unbeaten in two races over traditional dirt, left a strong impression on bettors after clearing several obstacles to win the 1 1/8-mile Wood, was the 9-2 fans' choice when KDFW Pool 3 betting concluded at 6 p.m. (EDT) at  racetracks and satellite wagering centers across North America.  Edward P. Evans' Quality Road, winner of the Florida Derby (GI) and the favorite through the first two days of Pool 3 betting, closed as the 6-1 second choice.  Vinery LLC and Fox Hill Farm's Friesan Fire, the Louisiana Derby (GII) winner, was the 8-1 third choice, and Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Pioneerof the Nile was next at 9-1.  Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk was next at 11-1 and Old Fashioned, who figures to be among the favorites for next week's Arkansas Derby (GII) closed at 12-1.

Pool 3 ended with 23 wagering interests after betting on Sham (GII) winner The Pamplemousse (#21) was suspended on Sunday afternoon following the announcement that concern over a tendon would knock the colt out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby.  Under the official rules of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, no scratches or refunds are permitted in the wager.  But wagering must be suspended when Churchill Downs officials determine that an injury, illness or other issue will prevent that horse from competing in the Kentucky Derby.  All money wagered on The Pamplemousse to the point of the suspension remained in the pool, but no additional betting was allowed.

            Wagering during Pool 3's four-day run totaled $377,158, with $108,278 of that wagered in the exacta pool.  KDFW Pool 3 was only the second in the 11-year history of the Kentucky Derby Future bet to offer exacta betting.  Both the Future Wager's traditional 'win' bet and its exacta require a minimum wager of $2.

            Pool 3 betting pushed total wagering on the three pools of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager to $1,236,299.

.           The Kentucky Derby Future Wager provides fans the opportunity to wager on contenders for the 2009 'Run for the Roses' at odds that could be far more attractive than those they would receive on the day of the race. Final payouts on both the win and exacta wagers in KDFW Pool 2 are determined by the odds in place at conclusion of the pool. 

The 135^th running of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs. 

Real time odds, exacta payouts and other information on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager are available on the official event Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com