Kentucky Derby Betting Pools Open: Favorites and Latest Odds Revealed

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the countdown to the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve intensifies, horse racing fans will soon have a new chance to place bets with the opening of the fifth pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and the sole Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. Betting begins Friday at noon and runs through Sunday evening, offering $2 Win and Exacta wagering options.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager will close on Sunday at 6 p.m., while the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will remain open until 6:30 p.m. Pool 5 features a diverse array of betting interests, including 39 individual horses and an option for “All Other 3-Year-Olds.” Journalism, the winner of the San Felipe Stakes, is currently the favorite at 3-1. His next race will be the Santa Anita Derby on April 5, serving as his final prep for the Derby.

In the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, Good Cheer, owned by Godolphin and undefeated in previous competitions, is the early favorite at 3-1 among a total of 40 betting interests, including “All Other 3-Year-Old Fillies.” Key contenders in Pool 5 for the Kentucky Derby also include Sovereignty, the Fountain of Youth Stakes winner, and the Eclipse Award-winning Citizen Bull, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s pool.

Among the 16 new horses featured in Pool 5 are Baeza, Caldera, California Burrito, and Chunk of Gold, which were not listed in previous pools. This adds intrigue for bettors, who will be analyzing each horse’s performance as they prepare for the upcoming races.

“We’re excited to offer fans this opportunity to bet on their favorites ahead of the Derby,” said a Churchill Downs official. “It’s an important part of the preparations and adds a whole new layer of excitement as we approach race day.”

Pool 5 participants will also have opportunities to earn Derby points in upcoming prep races. Notably, the Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs will feature three horses from Pool 5, including Getaway Car, John Hancock, and Rapture, all vying for critical points toward qualifying for the Derby.

Churchill Downs officials have made it clear that there are no refunds for bets placed in the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. If any horse suffers an injury or illness that precludes its participation in the races, betting on that horse will be suspended immediately.

For further information, including past performances and real-time odds for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Future Wagers, fans can visit Brisnet.com before the pools open. The anticipation continues to build as the thoroughbred racing season kicks into high gear, leading in less than two months to the premier event of the year.