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

Sham Stakes (G3) winner edges out Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) hero Essential Quality.

Life Is Good wins the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Life Is Good wins the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Benoit Photo

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