Field favored in Derby Pool 1

The entry for all other three-year-olds was bet down to 3-1 favoritism at the

conclusion of Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager on Sunday evening. This

continued an historical trend, as the field has been favored in the opening pool

each year since the inception of this wager in 1999.

FIRST SAMURAI (Giant's Causeway) led the individual entries at odds of 7-1.

The Champagne S. (G1) winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) third place

finisher attracted $51,600. STEVIE WONDERBOY (Stephen Got Even), recently crowned as

2005's juvenile champion, came next in the betting at 8-1 while taking in

$50,168. The colt was a good

second in the San Rafael S. (G2) in his latest effort and is pointing for a

start in the $200,000 Santa Catalina S. (G2) on March 4 at Santa Anita.

PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow), winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in his

last outing, was next at 14-1 ($30,308), while Remsen S. (G2) hero BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm

Cat) went off at 15-1 ($27,691) and Grade 1 hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) was right

behind at 16-1 ($26,430).

Total wagering on Pool 1 reached $552,627, down slightly from last year's total of

$620,362, which remains an all-time high. Pool 2 will be conducted from March

2-5, while Pool 3 will be held April 6-9.