Sierra Leone Individual Favorite in Derby Future Pool

Monday, February 19, 2024 | 9:12 am

Updated: February 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm

2-17-2024 - Sierra Leone(left) passes Track Phantom(gold cap) in deep stretch to win the 52nd running of the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who captured the GII Risen Star S. Saturday, was the 6-1 individual favorite when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 closed Sunday evening. The pari-mutuel field of 'all other 3-year-olds' closed as the 5-1 favorite.

Other horses who attracted interest from bettors: Dornoch (Good Magic) (9-1), the GII Remsen S. winner and full-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage; GI Champagne S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief) (15-1); GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Locked (Gun Runner) (16-1); and champion 2-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) (16-1).

Total handle for the Feb. 16-18 KDFW pool–the fourth of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of this year's Derby–was $408,422 ($309,393 in the Win pool and $99,029 in Exactas). That was a 20% increase from last year's $340,880 ($259,489 in the Win pool and $81,391 in Exactas).

Through the first four pools, a total of $1,218,084 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 26% surge from last year's $964,540.

Other Future Wager dates are set for Mar. 15-17 (Pool 5) and Apr. 4-6 (Pool 6). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5.

For the complete Pool 4 betting field, visit KentuckyDerby.com/FutureWager.