Hanson, Scully find consensus, tab individual plays for Pool 2 of 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Pool 2 of the 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens its three-day run on Friday, and Brisnet.com editors Vance Hanson and James Scully have reached a consensus on an individual entry. Both will also offer a contender they’re interested in backing this weekend.

Consensus pick: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner #18 SMILE HAPPY (8-1) was the individual favorite in Pool 1 of the KDFW, and is the early choice at the same odds for Pool 2. While not expected to see action until the Feb. 19 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, this and the next pool on Feb. 11-13 might potentially be the last opportunities to get a bettable price on the Kenny McPeek colt, in the event he kicks off his three-year-old campaign in fine style. A strong-looking winner of both starts, he has the look of first-stringer atop the stable’s deep bench of Derby contenders.

Vance Hanson’s bonus free pick

#21 Varatti (50-1), from the barn of Todd Pletcher, got in only one start at two, but it was a convincing 4 1/2-length tally going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park. Among the vanquished was stablemate #13 Mo Donegal, who franked the form by winning the Remsen (G2). The Into Mischief colt returned to the worktab this week and could be ready to run by early March, possibly in an allowance if not the Fountain of Youth (G2). Like Pletcher trainees before him, he could be the kind to easily jump from an allowance into the Florida Derby (G1) and qualify for the Churchill classic that way. He hails from a classy family, descending from the noted broodmare Lady Winborne. Among those hailing from this tribe is noted sire Munnings.

James Scully’s bonus free pick

#2 Classic Causeway (30-1) came up short as the favorite in his first two stakes attempts, finishing third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and second in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs, but the impressive maiden winner still has upside at age three for Brian Lynch. His Brisnet Speed ratings are encouraging, and the Giant’s Causeway colt rated effectively in his last start. Classic Causeway is slated to return in the Feb. 5 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park, and his price will be shorter in Pool 3 if he runs well in that spot.