KY Derby Future Wager Expands From 24 to 40 Interests

A new Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool with up to 40 betting interests, including the "All Others" option, will debut Nov. 1 and close Nov. 3 in advance of the Breeders' Cup World Championships' Future Stars Friday. The FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and other races for 2-year-olds take place on Future Stars Friday at Keeneland Nov. 4.

The new three-day pool, which features $2 win and exacta wagering, will open Nov. 1 at noon ET and close Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.

Numerous horseplayers have long expressed a desire for a larger pool of available wagering interests, which could boost payouts on many runners and increase the price on the "All Others" option, otherwise known as the "The Field," typically the shortest-priced choice. Betting customarily grows with expanded field size.

Technology advancements now allow up to 40 pari-mutuel betting interests, according to Churchill Downs, up from 24 in previous years. There were up to 20 individual betting interests on the day of the race each spring.

Track officials will release the field for Pool 1 following the conclusion of the Oct. 30 "Stars of Tomorrow I" at Churchill Downs—the fall meet opening day showcase of 2-year-olds.

Inaugurated in 1999, the Kentucky Derby Future Wagers provide fans of Thoroughbred racing with opportunities to place bets on possible entrants in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at odds that could be far greater and more attractive than those available on the day of the race. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, America's greatest race and the first leg of the Triple Crown, is May 6, 2023, at Churchill Downs.

All told, there are six Future Wager pools scheduled for the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Nov. 1-3 (Pool 1); Nov. 24-27 (Pool 2); Jan. 20-22 (Pool 3); Feb. 10-12 (Pool 4); March 10-12 (Pool 5); and March 30-April 1 (Pool 6). The Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, which debuted in 2015 and requires bettors to wager on the winning sire for the next year's Kentucky Derby winner, will be held concurrently with Pool 2 Nov. 24-27. The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5 March 10-12.

Bets can be placed at Churchill Downs, advance-deposit-wagering platforms, and other wagering outlets and satellite wagering centers across North America.

There are no refunds in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Should Churchill Downs officials determine during the duration of a pool that one of the wagering interests has experienced an injury, illness, or other circumstance that would prevent the horse from participating in the Kentucky Derby, betting on the individual horse will be suspended immediately. 

As was the case last year, Pool 1 will assume that horses under the care of trainers suspended from competing in the 2023 Kentucky Derby will not be under consideration. Instead, they will be included within the pari-mutuel field.

Such horses currently include those trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, such as anticipated Breeders' Cup Juvenile favorite Cave Rock . Baffert is barred by Churchill Downs Inc. from participating at its racetracks through the middle of next year, sanctions made by the track operator after Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. 

A record total of $2,060,691 was bet on future wagers for the 2022 Kentucky Derby and the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).