Barnes, Into Mischief close as individual favorites in KDFW Pool 2, Sire Future Wager

Although Barnes just won his 5 1/2-furlong career debut by a head at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, bettors were smitten enough to make him the 13-1 individual favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) that closed Sunday evening. The 9-5 overall favorite remained the mutuel field of “All Other Colts and Geldings Foaled in 2022.”

The context of Barnes’s maiden score was significant. The $3.2 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase was Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s first runner at the historic racetrack since his suspension was lifted by Churchill Downs Inc. Named for his longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, the well-bred colt is now on course to join the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.

East Avenue, the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner who was ninth after blowing the start as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) favorite, came next in the wagering at 15-1. Juvenile star Citizen Bull ended trade as a 16-1 chance, while Street Sense (G3) romper Sovereignty held near to his morning line at 19-1. Multiple Grade 1 victor Chancer McPatrick and Del Mar Futurity (G1) hero Gaming, respectively sixth and second in the Juvenile, finished at 21-1. 

Patch Adams, like Barnes, got hammered down to 22-1 in Pool 2 after impressing at Churchill. The Brad Cox pupil crushed a seven-furlong maiden on Saturday’s Stars of Tomorrow II program by 10 1/2 lengths.

Others garnering attention with Thanksgiving weekend efforts were First Resort and Jonathan’s Way, the top two in Saturday’s Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) who closed at 38-1, and Rated by Merit, a 44-1 chance after remaining perfect in the In Reality division of the Florida Sire S. at Gulfstream Park.

Pool 2, which ran from Thanksgiving Day to 6 p.m. ET Sunday evening, was offered concurrently with the lone Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager.

Although the “All Other Sires” option was the most popular at 9-2, perennial leading sire Into Mischief nearly matched that price when bet down to 5-1 individual favoritism. The sire of Kentucky Derby (G1) winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021) was buoyed by Barnes and Patch Adams along with established performers Citizen Bull and Sovereignty. 

Other stallions coming in for support were Hall of Famers Curlin and Gun Runner at 12-1 and 13-1, respectively. Uncle Mo and Not This Time, both 19-1 shots, rounded out the top five individual sires.

Pool 3 of the KDFW is scheduled for Jan. 17-19, followed by Pool 4 (Feb. 14-16), Pool 5 alongside the single Kentucky Oaks Future Wager (March 14-16), and the final Pool 6 (April 3-5).

More details, including will-pays, will be available on the Future Wager page at KentuckyDerby.com.