Classic Empire tops individual interests, ‘All Others’ listed as 8-5 favorite in KDFW2

Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) kicks off its three-day run on Friday, January 27 and two-year-old champion Classic Empire (#3) has been installed as the 5-1 favorite among individual interests. However, the Mutuel Field (#24) of “all other 3-year-olds” is expected to lead the way when the pool closes at 6 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, January 29.

The Mutuel Field closed as the 6-5 favorite in Pool 1, which was held November 25-27, and Churchill Downs’ oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has listed the Mutuel Field as the 8-5 morning line favorite in Pool 2.

KDFW Pool 2 opens Friday at noon (ET).

Classic Empire, who is trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Julien Leparoux, registered a field-best 108 BRIS Speed rating when wrapping up his championship season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Casse is also responsible for Woodbine maiden winner State of Honor (#20), who is 50-1 following a head second in the January 7 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park.

Unbeaten Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) victor Mastery (#12) comes next on the morning line at 6-1. He’s one of two individual interests for four-time Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who also has 15-1 American Anthem (#1), a head second when making his stakes bow in the January 7 Sham (G3).

Unbeaten Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner McCraken (#13), who has been flattered by vanquished foes such as Lecomte (G3) winner Guest Suite (#8) and Smarty Jones hero Uncontested (#21) in Kentucky Derby qualifiers this year, is the 10-1 third choice among individual interests.

Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with four representatives in Pool 2: maiden winner Battalion Runner (#2), 20-1; listed stakes conqueror Fact Finding (#5), 30-1; maiden scorer Faja (#6), 30-1; and Mucho Macho Man winner Sonic Mule (#19), 50-1.

The KDFW was established to give fans the opportunity to wager on Kentucky Derby contenders at odds that could be greater than the first Saturday in May.

Win wagering ($2 minimum) and exacta wagering ($2 straight; $1 increments in boxes and part-wheels) is available and odds will be locked in at the conclusion of the three-day run. No refunds are available but officials will suspend wagering on an individual interest if a horse is removed from Kentucky Derby consideration by connections.

Real-time odds for Pool 2 and more information on the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com.