Future Is Now for Derby

The first pool of the Kentucky Derby future wager begins today and runs through Sunday afternoon.

There are 23 individual wagering interests in the first pool for the Derby, which will be run on May 6 at Churchill Downs. The 24th interest is all other 3-year-olds and the field is the 4-1 morning line favorite.

The second choice is Stevie Wonderboy, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner who lost to Brother Derek in the San Rafael Stakes on Jan. 14 in his first start of the year. The son of Stephen Got Even, who is owned by Merv Griffin and trained by Doug O’Neill, is trying to become the first horse to win the Juvenile to go on and win the Kentucky Derby.

Race of the day: Ticker Tape will try to end a nine-race losing streak when she takes on five others in the $75,000 Tuzla Handicap today at Santa Anita.

One for the road: Fireonthewire makes his first start for trainer Steve Margolis after running second in his debut on Dec. 28 at Calder and can break his maiden in today’s fourth at Gulfstream Park. Eddie Castro will ride the 3-year-old in the $45,000 maiden claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Hot Stuff Honey and Trade Only in the fifth, Prolly, Smokin’ Vigor and Vanilla Sky in the sixth, Movie Star and Ticker Tape in the seventh and Broadway Player, Rangoon Raquetclub and Frost Point in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/60. Money: (previous day/meet total): $24.40/$385.80. Total money bet: $374.