Future Betting Opens on Kentucky Derby

Bettors will have a chance to get involved in the first of three future book pools for the Kentucky Derby this afternoon.

The wager will be available until Sunday and the morning-line favorite at 3-1 is the field, which includes all other horses besides the 23 already named.

The individual choice at 6-1 is Declan’s Moon, the 2-year-old champion and Hollywood Futurity winner who is scheduled to make his first start of 2005 in the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes on March 5 at Santa Anita. He is unbeaten in four starts for trainer Ron Ellis.

The 8-1 second choice is Rockport Harbor, another unbeaten who is trained by John Servis, who won last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Smarty Jones. The winner of Aqueduct’s Remsen is ridden by Stewart Elliott, who was the regular rider for the now-retired Smarty Jones.

Other horses listed include Afleet Alex (12-1), Sham Stakes winner Going Wild (30-1), Harlington (20-1), Breeders’ Cup Juvenile upsetter Wilko (30-1), talented New York bred Galloping Grocer (30-1), 2-year-old filly champion Sweet Catomine (20-1), Roman Ruler (12-1) and Proud Accolade (12-1).

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Race of the day: Revealed, who finished last in the Santa Ysabel Stakes on Jan. 16, will shorten up and switch to the grass in today’s seventh at Santa Anita. Jon Court will ride the 3-year-old filly, who broke her maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs on the Hollywood Park main track Nov. 21, for trainer John Shirreffs in the $48,000 optional claimer at about 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Silky Tresses had some trouble in her return to Florida on Dec. 29 and can pick up her second career win on turf as she drops in class in today’s fifth race at Gulfstream Park. Joe Bravo will ride the 4-year-old filly in the $30,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Backus, Say Anything, New Cloud and Seapoint in the fifth, Nemo’s Lucky Fin, Grey Misty and Bornwithit in the sixth, Revealed in the seventh and Sporty McGee, Tetrahedron and Decorated Soldier in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/88. Money: Previous day/meet total: $7.20/$463.60. Total money bet: $562.