Scully, Hanson find common ground in Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

With Pool 4 of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) opening Friday, Brisnet.com editors James Scully and Vance Hanson have put their heads together and reached a consensus on an individual entry they both like. They also scanned the remaining options and have each picked out a candidate they're excited about backing in the pool this week.

Consensus Pick: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

Earning 100 qualifying points with his recent victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2), #23 WELLS BAYOU (30-1) joins individual KDFW favorite Tiz the Law as a virtual confirmed starter in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby (G1) field, barring any unforeseen mishaps in the interim. As such, he seemingly offers tremendous value at this morning line price.

From the female family of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1) winner Big Brown, Wells Bayou is by Lookin at Lucky, the sire of 2019 Kentucky Derby victor Country House. The Brad Cox-trained colt possesses the pedigree and an easy win at the 1 3/16-mile distance, so the extra sixteenth of a mile of the Kentucky Derby should be well within his scope.

His first three starts came on wet tracks, and Wells Bayou has really thrived since switching to fast tracks for his two stakes attempts. The improving colt has raced on the front end every time, but Wells Bayou showed some tractability when breaking his maiden and recording an entry-level allowance win.

James Scully's bonus free pick

#10 MAJOR FED (50-1) completely missed the break in the Louisiana Derby, and after traveling extremely wide into the stretch, he commenced a furious rally for fourth, practically running over a couple of rivals while closing from last in the 14-horse field. A maiden winner the second time out on New Year's Day, the Ghostzapper colt entered the Louisiana Derby off a runner-up finish in the Risen Star (G2) second division and appears to be making fine progress for Greg Foley. Major Fed may develop into a formidable late runner by early September.

Vance Hanson's bonus free pick

With Ete Indien's distance limitations perhaps exposed in the Florida Derby (G1), trainer Patrick Biancone's strongest Derby candidate now seems to be #18 SOLE VOLANTE (30-1). A lot can and will happen in the five months leading up to the big race, but as the prospective field currently stands this Derby could have a very strong pace indeed. Sole Volante would be one of the primary beneficiaries if that were the case, as was seen in his impressive victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3). His runner-up finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) was also a strong performance, but the fractions simply weren't as hot as he needed them to be to catch longshot King Guillermo. A half to a Canadian Derby (G3) winner over 1 3/8 miles, Sole Volante figures to get better as the distances increase and is likely to be overlooked to a degree in this pool.