4 horses to consider in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 will open for betting Friday, with 23 individual horses plus an “all others” option available for handicappers to consider.

A personal rule I employ when betting Kentucky Derby (G1) future wagers is to play horses offering odds of 30-1 or higher. There’s no guarantee these horses will even make it to the Derby starting gate, so to offset the risk, I demand enticing odds on any horse I consider.

Using my 30-1 cutoff as a guideline, here are four horses I will consider playing in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2.

#1 Anneau d’Or (30-1)

Narrowly beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), Anneau d’Or is expected to wear blinkers in the Feb. 15 Risen Star (G2), which could help sharpen his focus. If he finishes with authority and lands in the winner’s circle, you won’t be seeing 30-1 again.

 

#9 Gouverneur Morris (30-1)

A top prospect last year for two-time Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, this $600,000 yearling purchase won his debut at Saratoga by nine lengths. He then fought to finish second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), ahead of future Lecomte (G3) winner Enforceable and Remsen (G2) runner-up Ajaaweed.

Gouverneur Morris has already established his class, and with Pletcher planning a two-prep campaign, this son of Constitution should be poised to peak on the first Saturday in May.

#18 Storm the Court (30-1)

Voted champion 2-year-old male of 2019, following his upset victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Storm the Court has yet to gain much respect among Derby handicappers and is 30-1 on the future pool morning line.

I’m inclined to take an optimistic view of his Juvenile effort, since he beat a good field, posted a 102 Brisnet Speed rating, and clearly improved with the addition of blinkers.

 

#23 Violent City (50-1)

Trainer Ian Wilkes rarely wins with first-time starters, so Violent City’s dominant four-length debut win Jan. 11 at Gulfstream Park was noteworthy. Runner-up Palm Springs came back to win his next start, which flattered Violent City’s performance. A $330,000 yearling purchase, Violent City is bred like a sprinter/miler but has the appearance of a talented runner. He’s worth a look at 50-1 or more.