The second pool for Churchill Downs’ 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager takes place this weekend. There will be a gaping hole left by the sidelined 3 year old colt Algorithms, the unbeaten Holy Bull winner who is now out of the 2012 Kentucky Derby after fracturing a splint bone. The 2012 Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The absence of Algorithms leaves Union Rags as the dominant 4-1 favorite among the 23 individual horses in Pool 2. The “the field”, listed as No. 24 as a bet which lets you bet on all other 3-year-olds not named as numbers 1 – 23. In recent years the favorite bet of “Pool betters” seems to be “the field”. People seem to like to bet that a horse that they have not seen or thought about will win the 2012 Kentucky Derby. In the morning line (what the handicappers feel will be the way the betting will go); “the field” is now the 3-1 favorite.

Betting on the Derby Future Wager begins at noon ET Friday, March 2 and concludes at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. The wager, with win and exacta wagering offered, is designed to allow horse players a chance to get better odds on a horse than they might on Kentucky Derby. The Future Wager can be placed at Kentucky tracks, including Churchill Downs, as well as simulcast outlets across the country.

Because of the nature of future wagers, there is no refund if a horse does not make it to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. KDFW Pool 2 wagering interests were chosen by a committee that includes Ed DeRosa, marketing director for Brisnet; Brad Free and Mike Watchmaker of Daily Racing Form; and Churchill Downs’ John Asher.

Will you be using your 2012 Kentucky Derby tickets to watch the race in person or will you watch the race on ESPN, HRTV, TVG or ABC? Who do you think will make it to the 2012 Kentucky Derby and win?

Kentucky Derby Future Wager – Pool 2 (Opening odds by Churchill Downs morning line oddsmaker Mike Battaglia)

1. Alpha 20 to 1
2. Battle Hardened 50 to 1
3. Bodemeister 15 to 1
4. Castaway 20 to 1
5. Creative Cause 20 to 1
6. Dullahan 50 to 1
7. El Padrino 12 to 1
8. Empire Way 50 to 1
9. Fed Biz 12 to 1
10. Gemologist 20 to 1
11. Hansen 15 to 1
12. I’ll Have Another 30 to 1
13. Liason 50 to 1
14. Mark Valeski 30 to 1
15. Midnight Transfer 30 to 1
16. News Pending 30 to 1
17. Out of Bounds 20 to 1
18. Rousing Sermon 30 to 1
19. Sabercat 30 to 1
20. Scatman 20 to 1
21. Secret Circle 15 to 1
22. Take Charge Indy 30 to 1
23. Union Rags 4 to 1
24. All other 3 year olds (the field) 3 to 1