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Curlin closes as choice in final Derby Future Exciting Arkansas Derby (G2) winner CURLIN (Smart Strike) closed as the overwhelming 7-2 favorite in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday. The rapidly progressing colt followed up his impressive wins in a maiden event and the Rebel S. (G3) with a dazzling display this past Saturday at Oaklawn Park, dominating his rivals by 10 1/2 lengths for trainer Steve Asmussen. The undefeated colt closed Pool 2 at odds of 30-1. Champion and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner STREET SENSE (Street Cry [Ire]) concluded as the second most popular entrant at 6-1. The Carl Nafzger trainee was just nipped in the Blue Grass S. (G1) after encountering trouble in the lane, and will attempt to become the first horse to pull off the Juvenile-Derby double. Grade 1 hero CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch), last seen taking the Louisiana Derby (G2) for conditioner Todd Pletcher, closed at odds of 9-1. The sophomore colt, winner of the Hopeful S. (G1) and Bashford Manor S. (G3) as a juvenile, will attempt to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) following an eight-week layoff. NOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ (Albert the Great) ended the day at 10-1. The individual favorite at the close of Pool 1, he rated as the joint individual favorite with Street Sense and Circular Quay in Pool 2. The Barclay Tagg charge impressively captured the Wood Memorial S. (G1) most recently, which followed a close third-place effort in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2). Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth hero SCAT DADDY (Johannesburg) came next at 11-1 for Pletcher. The May foal captured the Champagne S. (G1) and Sanford S. (G2) at two, while finishing second to his stablemate, Circular Quay, in the Hopeful. Lane's End S. (G2) victor HARD SPUN (Danzig) was next at 13-1, followed by Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero TIAGO (Pleasant Tap) and Wood third-placer ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Distorted Humor), at 14-1. Grade 1 winner GREAT HUNTER (Aptitude), a troubled fifth in the recent Blue Grass, closed at 15-1. Wagering was suspended on NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]), who was injured in a Saturday morning workout at Keeneland, and BIRDBIRDISTHEWORD (Pure Prize), who was withdrawn from Derby consideration prior to the start of Pool 3 wagering on Thursday. Total wagering on the final pool was $465,123, marking a slight increase compared to the $454,743 totaled in the similar pool last year. The combined handle on all three pools reached $1,365,424, down a small amount from the $1,471,606 wagered in 2006. 2007 KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER Final Odds -- Pool 3
* denotes new wagering interest in Pool 3
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