Mucciolo: Two offer appeal in second Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool

Champagne (G1) winner #22 Tiz the Law (8-1), who recently captured the Holy Bull (G3) in his sophomore debut, has been made the 8-1 individual morning-line favorite for Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The Barclay Tagg trainee was also the individual favorite at the conclusion of Pool 1, closing at 11-1 odds.

The mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-Olds," the even-money favorite in Pool 1, opens as the 5-2 choice this time around.

#11 Independence Hall (10-1), the co-third choice in Pool 1, is set at as the 10-1 second choice for Pool 2. Trained by Michael Trombetta, the Constitution colt was triumphant in his 2020 debut with an open-length tally in the Jerome S.

Grade 2 victor #5 Dennis' Moment (12-1) and exciting first-out winner #14 Nadal (12-1) are the co-third choice individuals, with a trio of 15-1 options following the pair. Bob Baffert's #2 Authentic (15-1) and #20 Thousand Words (15-1), are joined by Breeders' Futurity (G1) star #13 Maxfield (15-1).

The Pool 2 wager is not an easy one for me when trying to find value. I consider nearly half of the field unplayable for various reasons (pedigree, timing of races, overall class, etc.), but I do have particular interest in a pair of entries including a colt that I fancied in Pool 1.

Smarty Jones S. runner-up #21 Three Technique (50-1) was a horse that I suggested when he closed at 39-1 in the first pool, and the son of Mr. Speaker remains an intriguing Triple Crown candidate following his strong run at Oaklawn Park for Jeremiah Englehart. The colt is trending in the right direction and 50-1 would be a fantastic number on the Kentucky-bred.

#1 Anneau d'Or (30-1) has never run a bad race and offers an inviting price, as well. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up is training towards a start in the Risen Star (G2) on February 15, and the colt will be equipped with blinkers for the initial time. The price on the Medaglia d'Oro colt should remain steady this week as he prepares for his 3-year-old bow, and he could soar up Kentucky Derby (G1) boards with a big run at Fair Grounds.