Classic, Distaff featured in Breeders' Cup Future Wager Pool 1

Fans of Future Wagering will have an opportunity to back their early opinions on the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships when three separate Breeders’ Cup Future Wagers (BCFW) will be held in advance of the two-day fixture, scheduled for November 2-3 at Churchill Downs.

Pool 1 of the BCFW, featuring the Classic (G1) and Distaff (G1), will be held August 24-26. Pool 2, featuring the Juvenile (G1) and Juvenile Sire Future Wager, will be held August 31-September 2. Pool 3, featuring the Classic and Turf (G1), will be held October 5-7.

The BCFW will be conducted like the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW). There are 24 individual wagering interests in Pools 1 and 2, with one option being a mutuel field (“All Others”). Pool 3 will have 16 wagering interests including a mutuel field. All BCFW pools will have Win wagering only with a $2 minimum.

There will be no refunds should a horse not run in the Breeders’ Cup. However, if Churchill Downs and Breeders’ Cup Limited definitively determine, either prior to or during a pool, that an injury or other circumstance would prevent a wagering interest from participating in the Breeders’ Cup, wagering on that horse will be immediately suspended. No refunds will be issued for wagers on the suspended wagering interest.

Pool 1 wagering commences on Friday at noon (EDT). Betting on the Classic will end on Sunday at 6 p.m. Distaff wagering closes at 6:30 p.m. Opening and closing times for betting in Pools 2 and 3 will be determined at a later date.

Unsurprisingly, top older horses Accelerate (#1, 4-1), West Coast (#23, 9-2), and Diversify (#7, 5-1) are early favorites in the first Classic pool. However, neither Accelerate nor Diversify have won beyond their home bases, while last year’s Classic third West Coast has not raced since the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March.

More interesting perhaps at a price are Good Magic (#9, 12-1), who might solidify his status as the leading three-year-old Classic prospect in Saturday’s Travers (G1). Pavel (#17, 30-1), a distant second to Accelerate in last weekend’s Pacific Classic (G1), likes the Churchill strip having won the Stephen Foster H. (G1) there in June.

The three-year-old Monomoy Girl (#14, 7-2) is the early favorite in the Distaff, with favoritism among the older mares to be determined Saturday in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga between Abel Tasman (#1, 4-1) and Elate (#7, 6-1). Wonder Gadot (#23, 5-1) will also be in action Saturday as she face the boys in the Travers.

Eskimo Kisses (#8, 8-1), convincing winner of the Alabama (G1), could be the overlooked filly in Pool 1. She’ll next prep in the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland in October.

Bet the BCFW at TwinSpires.com!

Recommended plays:

Classic: Good Magic (#9, 12-1)

Distaff: Eskimo Kisses (#8, 8-1)