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

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.