The final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins this weekend, and rising star Renegade has moved into the favorite’s role at 4-1 odds.
Following his emphatic four-length victory in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher heads to Churchill Downs with the likely betting favorite for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2.
Pool 6, the final chance to wager on the race prior to the first Saturday in May, opens Friday and closes Saturday at about 6 p.m. ET, prior to the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1), $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), and $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2).
The wager features $2 win and exacta betting.
Renegade is owned by Mike Repole (Repole Stable) and Robert and Lawana Low. Renegade is No. 2 this week in the latest US Racing Kentucky Derby Top 10 contenders.
Commandment, winner of the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on Saturday and No. 1 in the Top 10, is next at 6-1 in pool 6, with Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Florida Derby runner-up The Puma at 8-1 and Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) runner-up Chief Wallabee at 10-1.
The final pool consists of 31 individual 3-year-olds, with all other 3-year-olds now at 30-1.
Paladin, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), is off the Triple Crown trail after sustaining an injury last week. A top Derby contender, Paladin was the 8-1 co-favorite after pool 5, along with Chief Wallabee.
Get your bets in now because when the pool closes before the final three prep races offer Derby qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the top five finishers, you may lose a chance of acquiring a bunch of top contenders at 15-1 or longer odds before they run on Saturday.
Class President, winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2) and 3-1 in the Blue Grass, is 15-1 in the future wager; six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert’s San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner and Potente, set to go in the Santa Anita Derby, and 30-1 in pool 6.
The horses in pool 6 include many contenders in Saturday’s prep races. Some are not included as individual interests but are among all other 3-year-olds at 30-1. Among them are Blackout Time, Confessional, Grittiness, Litmus Test, and Nearly.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
