While the 2017 Kentucky Derby is 22 weeks away (Saturday, May 2, 2017), it’s never too early to start following horses that could potentially run in it. To create and maintain interest in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs offered the first of four Kentucky Derby Future Wagers last weekend.
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is comprised of four separate wagering pools where you can wager on horses that may run in next year’s Kentucky Derby. The first pool offered 23 wagering opportunities which included 22 named horses and a “mutuel field” offering. A bet on the “mutuel field” means you believe the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby isn’t one of the 22 named horses which is quite likely at this point in time.
Between now and the running of the 2017 Kentucky Derby there will be three additional Future Wager pools. These three pools close on January 29 (Pool #2), February 26 (Pool #3) and April 2, 2017 (Pool #4). A “mutuel field” wager will be offered in the three future pools as will 23 named horses. The named horses in future pools may be horses that were in Pool 1 or completely different horses. This is due to the fact that between now and the running of the Derby, horses could get injured, may not qualify to run in the Derby or various other reasons.
Below are the horse’s names and payoffs on a $2 wager associated with Pool 1:
Mutuel Field – $4.40
Classic Empire – $15.60
Mastery – $23
Mo Town – $26.80
McCraken – $27
Gunnevera- $46.20
Beach Bum – $48
Practical Joke – $55.20
Irish War Cry – $55.60
Klimt- $76.20
Takaful – $76.60
Gormley – $77.80
Lookin At Lee – $77.80
No Dozing – $83.40
Syndergaard- $89.20
Running Mate – $112.20
Fact Finding – $150
Uncontested – $154.60
Saint’s Fan – $155.20
Hemsworth – $162.40
Wild Shot – $169
Hookup – $262.80
Just Move On – $366.60
While the Future Wager concept isn’t hard to understand, it assumes between now and May 2, 2017 the horse you wagered on actually makes it into the starting gate and runs in the Kentucky Derby. This risk is what provides the reward reflected in the Pool 1 payouts!
Good luck on any wagers you made on the 143rd Kentucky Derby and I will keep you posted on future pool opportunities.
Enjoy the holidays!
