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.
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Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
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| 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 |
