Back to the FuturesKentucky Derby Future Wagers can be a fine cure-all for early onset Derby fever
Level: Beginner
By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder
Originally published on February 18, 2011
Grab a dataset of all pool odds and will pays going back to 2011
While some view them as a foolish proposition, future wagers can be a fun way to get in on the Derby action early and potentially make a few extra bucks. Every year, Churchill Downs offers several betting pools prior to the Kentucky Derby that, as the name suggests, allow for early win and exacta wagering on selected potential entrants. There’s also a pool for the Kentucky Oaks and in 2016 a Sire pool, where bettors try to select the sire (father) of the Kentucky Derby winner, was introduced. Each pool is comprised of 23 individual betting interests and an “All Other 3-year-olds” selection.
The fun of playing the futures is that you have the potential to get a great price; however, there are a few things to keep in mind. Once you place a wager, you’re locked in to that horse at the final price regardless of whether your horse or horses make it to the Derby/Oaks. This consideration is even more notable with new November pool, which is a whopping 21 weeks in advance. A lot can happen in those 21 weeks, or in the 12 weeks out from the second pool. For example, in 2010 only eight of 23 available wagering interests in the first pool (in February) made it to the gate on Derby day while only five made it 2011. However, if you had played $2 on Super Saver in 2010’s first pool, you would have received $43.20 instead of the $18 he paid on Derby day.
And speaking of price, another consideration is that there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a better price in the future pool than on Derby day. For example, future bets on both Big Brown (2008) and Street Sense (2007) paid a bit more than their Derby payouts, while Barbaro (2006) brought considerable value. Giacomo (2005) paid much better on race day than in the first two pools, but if you had Funny Cide (2004) in the first pool, not only would you have made $160.40 more for your $2 future wager than on Derby day, you would have also collected the biggest win payout in Kentucky Derby Future Wager history at $188.
Past Kentucky Derby Future Wager Payouts
Past Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Payouts
Past Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager Payouts
How can you get in on a Kentucky Derby Future Wager? You can place your wagers at most tracks, off-track betting parlors or with most online wagering accounts. If you don’t currently have an online wagering account, check out Twinspires as they’ll give you a $100 bonus just for signing up! (use promo code “helloracefans“).
If you do plan to play, we recommend the following
1. Wait until as close to the time that the pool closes as possible. Just like with any race, the odds change as the money comes in and won’t be final until the pool closes, so if your horse opens at 50-1 and goes down to 12-1, you might want to look elsewhere. Likewise, if you place your wager at 20-1 and the odds are 10-1 when the pool closes, you’re holding a 10-1 ticket, not a 20-1 ticket. Check the official site for opening and closing dates and times.
2. Be wary of taking early favorites at a short price. Similarly, it’s a good idea to stay away from the “All other 3-year-olds” option as it usually ends up at a very short price, particularly in the first pool. In 2009 this option closed at odds of 9-5 in the first pool, which meant that Mine That Bird payed $5.80 versus the $103.20 he paid on Derby day.
3. You don’t have to play big to have fun; a couple of $2 bets here and there is a safe way to have a little fun early without worrying too much about whether your horse or horses are going to make it to the gate.
4. Keep track of your wagers! Not only is it somewhat easy to forget about your wagers, it’s incredibly easy to forget the number assigned to your wagering interest for each pool. Making a note of the number assigned to your wagering interest(s) will make it easier for you to reference odds and potential payouts after the fact.
2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 Morning Line Odds and Free Past Performances
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
View Live Odds
2018 Pool 4 Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
TDN: Wagering Suspended on Mississippi in Derby Future Pool
2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
View Live Odds
2018 Pool 3 Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
2018 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
View Live Odds
2018 Oaks Pool Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
View Live Odds
2018 Pool 2 Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
Brisnet: Future wagering on Montauk suspended; colt to miss Kentucky Derby
Brisnet: Shapiro’s West Coast Kentucky Derby Future Wager Scouting Report
Twinspires: How to Bet Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds and Will Pays
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View Live Odds
Brisnet: McKinzie Intrigues Shapiro in First Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Idealistic Stats: 2018 Kentucky Derby Pool 1 analysis
Twinspires: Scouting report for Pool 1 of 2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
2018 Kentucky Derby Sire Pool Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
View Live Odds
Idealistic Stats: 2018 Derby Sire Future Wager analysis
2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 Morning Line Odds & Past Performances
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Kentucky Derby: Injury Takes El Areeb Out of Kentucky Derby; Wagering Suspended on Colt in Derby Future Wager 4
2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds & Will Pays
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Brisnet: Classic Empire, McCraken listed at 8-1 for Pool 3 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
DRF: Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Eight new names for Pool 3
2017 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Pool Final Odds & Will Pays
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Brisnet: Unique Bella towers over Kentucky Oaks Future Wager rivals
2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Final Line Odds & Will Pays
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2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
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Kentucky Derby: Not This Time Injured, Retired; Betting Suspended in Kentucky Derby Future Pool 1
TwinSpires: Scouting the Individual Interests in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
2017 Kentucky Derby Sire Pool Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances (9 MB)
View Live Odds
TwinSpires: Sires Power Value in Dueling 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wagers
2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet Past Performances
2016 Pool 4 Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2016 Pool 3 Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
DRF: Pool 3 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager filled with newcomers
2016 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2016 Oaks Pool Exacta Will Pays (pdf)
Blood-Horse: Churchill Suspends Wagering on Polar River
2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Final Odds & Will Pays
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Hangin’ with Haskin: Money to ‘Bern’ in Derby Future Wager
2016 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Kentucky Derby: An early look at the Kentucky Derby Future odds
TwinSpires: Dueling Kentucky Derby Future wagers offer tremendous opportunities
U.S. Racing: The Futures are Now
2016 Kentucky Derby Sire Pool Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances (12.3 MB)
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Will pays for 2015 pool 4 exactas (pdf)
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 4
Derbyologist: Derby Futures Pool 4 Analysis 2015
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Will pays for 2015 pool 3 exactas (pdf)
2015 Kentucky Derby Pool 3 Analysis
Derbyologist: Kentucky Derby Future Wager 2015 Pool 3 Analysis
Twinspires Blog: Bet Now, Win Later; It’s the Future Wager Way
2015 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances.
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances.
Will pays for 2015 pool 2 exactas (pdf)
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 2
All Day Racing: 10 words or less about each horse in the Kentucky Derby Future Pool
Derbyologist: KDFW Pool 2 Analysis
TwinSpires Blog: Thoughts on Pool 2 Kentucky Derby Future Wagering
2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Will pays for 2015 pool 1 exactas (pdf)
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 Morning Line Odds
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2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 4
Kentucky Derby Future Wager 2014 Pool 4 Analysis
Will pays for pool 4 exactas (pdf)
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 3
Derbyologist: 2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Analysis
Unlocking Winners: Future Wagers Offer Chance to Drink Kool Aid
2014 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Will pays for Oaks pool exactas
2014 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Analysis
Derbyologist: Kentucky Oaks 2014 Analysis
In the Money: Kentucky Oaks Future Wager
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com past performances
Official Live Odds
Will pays for pool 2 exactas (pdf)
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 2
Beychok Racing: Derby Future Thoughts
Derbyologist: 2014 Kentucky Derby Futures Pool Analysis
In the Money: Key Horses in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
Unlocking Winners: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Fair Odds
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet.com past performances
Official Live Odds
Will pays for pool 1 exactas (pdf)
2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 1
Blood-Horse: Earliest Derby Future Wager Starts Nov 27
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Morning Line Odds
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
Will pays for Pool 3 exactas (pdf)
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 3
DRF Steve Klein: Shakin It Up offers future value for Kentucky Derby consideration
Kentucky Derby: John Asher and Jill Byrne discuss KDFW Pool 3
TwinSpires Blog: Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool 3, now or later?
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Morning Line Odds
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2013 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Morning Line Odds
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 2
DRF Steve Klein: Box Kentucky Derby Future Wager value horses in the exacta
In the Money: Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Pool 2 Analysis
In the Money: Kentucky Oaks Pool Analysis
TwinSpires Blog: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Morning Line Odds
Grab the free Brisnet.com Past Performances
2013 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Analysis for Pool 1
DRF Steve Klein: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Value Plays, Pool 1
In the Money: Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Pool 1 Analysis
Kershner: Derby Futures Pool 1 Open for Business
TwinSpires Blog: Finding Value in Pool 1
2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 Morning Line Odds
Grab the free Brisnet Past Performances
2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 Morning Line Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet Past Performances
2012 Kentucky Oaks Future Morning Line Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet Past Performances
2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Morning Line Odds & Will Pays
Grab the free Brisnet Past Performances (scroll down for Ky Derby Only link)
2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
Pool 3 Derby PPs (pdf)
2011 Pool 3 Exacta Future Will Pays (pdf)
Note: Comma to the Top has been removed as a wagering interest.
2011 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wager Pool 2 Final Odds and Will Pays
Pool 2 Derby PPs (pdf)
Pool 2 Oaks PPs (pdf)
Pool 2 2011 Kentucky Derby Exacta Future Will Pays (pdf)
2011 Kentucky Oaks Exacta Future Will Pays (pdf)
2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds and Will Pays
Grab the free Past Performances (pdf)
See the 2011 Pool 1 Exacta Future Will Pays (pdf)
Have fun and good luck!
Good advice! In our house, it’s just not spring unless a few Derby futures tickets sitting around. Through March and April, they whisper to us — it’s coming, it’s coming! Derby is coming!
Thanks QQ! Is there anyone in particular you have your eye on?
Hey dana! Thanks for the linkage! Love the charts! My first online bet (and Futures donation) was a derby future bet on Stevie Wonderboy..LOL
You’re welcome Geno! I can’t remember who my first future “donations” were on, but I do remember making my first and only trip to the now defunct Delancey Street OTB to watch the Risen Star and put in my wagers. In my my approximate 15 mins there I saw two fights! I did ok last year with Super Saver in Pool 1 & 2, good luck!
This is the first time in 3 years that I played Pool 1, but I hit Barbaro back in ’05 for my lone non-field win. My rule is nothing less than 25-1 odds, so this year I bet Santiva (37-1), Silver Medallion (60-1) & Stay Thirsty (40-1).
I just found out that you get the payout for the future wagers after the running of the Derby, but I thought you get the final will pays right after a FW pool closes. So if you get the money you won after the Derby, what do the will pays for each pool represent?
Hi Ryan,
The will pays represent the payout for each entry should he/she win the Derby or Oaks (depending on the pool). Since the pool is closed before the race the payouts (will pays) can are known.
Hope that helps!