Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has installed the Michael Matz-trained son of Dixie Union as the 3-1 favorite in his morning line odds for the 24 wagering interests in the three-day pool that starts on Friday, March 30 at 12 noon and will conclude on Sunday, April 1 at the special closing time of 6:30 p.m. (all times Eastern time). The Future Wager pools normally close at 6 p.m., but wagering in the pool will be extended by 30 minutes to allow fans to consider the results of the $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, which has a scheduled Sunday post time of 5:55 p.m.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager allows fans of the 2012 Kentucky Derby the opportunity to wager on contenders for the race weeks in advance. Those bettors will receive odds that are in place at Sunday’s conclusion of betting, and those odds could be considerably larger and more attractive than those available at Churchill Downs on the day of the race.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager is a $2 minimum wager and offers win and exacta wagering, along with $1 exacta boxes and part-wheels. Betting has been brisk in the first two pools of 2012, with a total of $1,042,672 wagered. There are no scratches or refunds in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. If it is determined during any Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool that a wagering interest has suffered an injury or illness that would prevent that horse from competing in the Kentucky Derby, wagering on that betting interest would be suspended immediately.

Wagering interests for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools are chosen by a four-member panel that includes Ed DeRosa, Marketing Director for Brisnet; Mike Watchmaker, National Handicapper for Daily Racing Form; Brad Free, DRF West Coast correspondent; and John Asher, Vice President, Communications at Churchill Downs.

Future Wagering makes us wonder who will be travelling to Louisville, Kentucky this year? Who will need 2012 Kentucky Derby tickets? Who do you think will make it to the 2012 Kentucky Derby and win? Kentucky Derby Tours wants to know!

Program No., Horse, Pool 3 Morning Line odds
1. Alpha, 20-1,
2. Bodemeister, 12-1,
3. Creative Cause, 10-1,
4. Daddy Nose Best, 15-1,
5. Dullahan, 30-1,
6. El Padrino, 12-1,
7. Gemologist, 20-1,
8. Hansen, 6-1,
9. Howe Great, 30-1,
10. I’ll Have Another, 20-1,
11. Liaison, 30-1,
12. Mark Valeski, 30-1,
13. Midnight Transfer, 50-1,
14. My Adonis, 50-1,
15. News Pending, 50-1,
16. On Fire Baby, 50-1, ONLY filly in pool
17. Optimizer, 50-1,
18. Prospective, 50-1,
19. Sabercat, 50-1,
20. Secret Circle, 15-1,
21. Take Charge Indy, 50-1,
22. Union Rags, 3-1,
23. Went the Day Well, 30-1,
24. Mutuel field (all others), 6-1,