March 19, 2024
KENTUCKY — By Twinspires.com
Although no points races were contested over the weekend, there was wagering action aplenty in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).
Sierra Leone established himself as the overall favorite for the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) by closing at 7-1. The field bet of “All Others,” which had been the most popular choice through the first four pools, slipped to the third choice at 11-1 in Pool 5.
Trained by Chad Brown, Sierra Leone first emerged as the individual 6-1 favorite in Pool 4, thanks to his late-running victory in the Risen Star (G2). Bettors took the opportunity to back him again before his final prep, the April 6 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Last year’s juvenile champion, Fierceness, gained renewed interest in Pool 5, finishing as the 9-1 second favorite. The Todd Pletcher pupil ranked as the 8-1 individual favorite in Pools 2 and 3, following his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) conquest, but his comeback third in the Holy Bull (G3) cost him support in Pool 4, where he wound up at 16-1. As he trains forwardly for the March 30 Florida Derby (G1), and a potential rebound, Fierceness began to look more attractive again to the market.
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