Life Is Good 7-1 in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

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Photo: Benoit Photo
Life Is Good wins the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park

With the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) still 14 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings" closed as the 9-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and Sham Stakes (G3) winner Life Is Good at 7-1 edged TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) champion Essential Quality at 8-1 for the honor of being the second betting choice.

Life Is Good, who closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 1 last November, was a narrow but fast winner of the one-mile Sham at Santa Anita Park Jan. 2, and is expected to make his next start in the March 6 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert.

The Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality, perfect in three starts after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November, is preparing for his 3-year-old debut and has recorded six breezes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, including a five-furlong spin in 1:01.60 Sunday morning. He was the 8-1 third betting choice in Pool 1.

In addition to Life Is Good and Essential Quality, Smarty Jones Stakes winner Caddo River (13-1), Baffert's fast maiden winner Concert Tour (16-1) and Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Keepmeinmind (19-1) also attracted interest from bettors.

Total handle for the Jan. 22-24 KDFW pool—the second of five scheduled wagering pools in advance of the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Sat. May 1—was $322,035 ($240,768 in the Win pool and $81,267 in Exactas).

Dates for the remaining 2021 Kentucky Derby future pools are Feb. 12-14 (Pool 3), March 5-7 (Pool 4) and March 26-28 (Pool 5). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
Number Horse (Trainer) Pool 2 Odds and $2 Win Will Pays
1 Bezos (Bob Baffert) 26-1, $55.20
2 Caddo River (Brad Cox) 13-1, $29.60
3 Capo Kane (Harold Wyner) 66-1, $135.40
4 Concert Tour (Bob Baffert) 16-1, $34.40
5 Essential Quality (Brad Cox) 8-1, $18.80
6 Fire At Will (Mike Maker) 45-1, $92
7 Greatest Honour (Shug McGaughey) 40-1, $83.20
8 Highly Motivated (Chad Brown) 24-1, $51.40
9 Hot Rod Charlie (Doug O’Neill) 40-1, $83.80
10 Jackie’s Warrior (Steve Asmussen) 23-1, $49.60
11 Keepmeinmind (Robertino Diodoro) 19-1, $40.80
12 Life Is Good (Bob Baffert) 7-1, $16.40
13 Mandaloun (Brad Cox) 42-1, $86.60
14 Medina Spirit (Bob Baffert) 24-1, $51.40
15 Midnight Bourbon (Steve Asmussen) 26-1, $54
16 Mutasaabeq (Todd Fletcher) 47-1, $97.40
17 Olympiad (Bill Mott) 64-1, $131.80
18 Prate (Brad Cox) 48-1, $99.20
19 Prime Factor (Todd Fletcher) 21-1, $44.20
20 Proxy (Mike Stidham) 76-1, $154.80
21 Señor Buscador (Todd Fincher) 34-1, $70.80
22 Spielberg (Bob Baffert) 47-1, $97
23 Wipe the Slate (Doug O’Neill) 87-1, $176.80
24 ”All Other 3-Year-Olds” 9-5, $5.80