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Harlan's Holiday Narrowly Favored In Record Final Pool Of Churchill Downs' 2002 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 7, 2002) - Starlight Stable's Harlan's Holiday, the winner of the Florida Derby (Grade I), emerged as a narrow favorite in the final minutes of wagering as Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' 2002 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) completed its four-day run on Sunday with new records for wagering in the pool and combined wagering for all three KDFW pools.
The Ken McPeek-trained Harlan's Holiday closed at odds of 7-1 to edge Micheal Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier's Johannesburg, who stood at 8-1, to reign as the favorite in Pool 3. The Irish-based Johannesburg had been favored on the first three days of Pool 3, but his odds drifted up in the wager's final hours after the previously unbeaten colt suffered a narrow defeat in his lone Kentucky Derby prep in the the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at Ireland's the Curragh. Close behind the top pair came Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Came Home, who also closed at 8-1, and 9-1 shot Saarland, the Remsen (GII) winner who will be among the favorites in next week's Wood Memorial (GI) at Aqueduct. They were followed by Medaglia d'Oro and the mutuel field, both at 11-1, and 12-1 shot Repent, the McPeek-trained stablemate to Harlan's Holiday who suffered an upset loss in Saturday's Illinois Derby (GII). Next in line in the Future Wager odds came Buddha at 13-1, Sunday Break at 15-1 and Essence Of Dubai at 17-1.
Kentucky Derby fans in a record 34 states wagered $524,847 during Pool 3, which opened at noon (EST) on Thursday, April 4 and closed at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday. The total is a record for Pool 3 and the second-largest single pool total in the four-year history of the Future Wager. The 2002 total for Pool 3 reflected an increase of 23 percent from last year's previous record of $425,871.
Combined wagering for the three KDFW 2002 pools totaled $1,503,806 - an increase of 15 percent from last year's previous record of $1,309,647. This year's total was an increase of 122 percent from the total of $676,233 in the inaugural year in 1999.
Part of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager's growth in 2002 can be attributed to the addition of markets in four new states: California, Washington, Massachusetts and Michigan. Pool 3 also benefited from the participation by racing fans in New York on its final day. New York outlets had been closed in previous years because of Palm Sunday, which fell much earlier on the calendar this year.
"The continued growth of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a testament to the strength of this young wagering product and the enduring appeal of the Kentucky Derby, America's greatest race," said Alex Waldrop, president of Churchill Downs. "We appreciate the enthusiasm of racing fans across the country who love the Derby and the Future Wager. We also thank the racetracks, simulcast centers, and racing officials across North America who have worked to make this product available to their patrons."
The Kentucky Derby Future Wager allows racing fans to place wagers on contenders for the Kentucky Derby weeks in advance of the race at odds that may be more attractive than those they would receive on Derby Day. The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a $2 minimum wager and is a win bet only. The list of horses in each pool consists of 24 betting interests, which include 23 individual horses and a mutuel field that contains all other 3-year-old Thoroughbreds - regardless of whether those horses have been nominated to the Kentucky Derby and the Visa Triple Crown. There are no refunds.
Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) also operates Trackside Louisville, an off-track betting facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2002 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for April 27 through July 7.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Statistics
|
Wagering (by year) |
Pool 1 |
Pool 2 |
Pool 3 |
Total |
|
| 2002 |
$577,889*** |
$401,070 |
$524,847 |
$1,503,806 |
| 2001 |
$510,815 |
$372,961 |
$425,871 |
$1,309,647 |
| 2000 |
$465,454 |
$306,259 |
$387,206 |
$1,158,919 |
| 1999 |
$267,748 |
$178,811 |
$229,674 |
$676,233 |
|
Winning payout |
Pool 1 |
Pool 2 |
Pool 3 |
Derby payout |
|
| 2001 (Monarchos) |
$36.60 |
$13.00 |
$15.801 |
$23.00 |
| 2000 (Fusaichi Pegasus) |
$27.80 |
$26.40 |
$8.00** |
$6.60 |
| 1999 (Charismatic*) |
$10.20** |
$30.20 |
$26.60 |
$64.60 |
* - Charismatic was a member of the mutuel field in all three KDFW pools in 1999.
** - Favorite
*** - Single pool wagering record
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