Forte Remains Favored In Inaugural Preakness Future Wager

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's champion Forte remains a strong favorite in the inaugural Preakness Future Wager following the close of Sunday's live racing in Maryland.

A total of $84,651 was in the win pool at the conclusion of Sunday's eight-race program from Laurel Park. The Preakness Future Bet opened at noon Friday, April 28 and will close at approximately 6 p.m. (ET) Saturday, May 6, about an hour prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby (G1).

A winner of five straight races starting with the Hopeful (G1), Breeders' Futurity (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at 2 and Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) this year, Forte sits atop a list of 27 individual horses and a field entry of “all other 3-year-olds” at Preakness Future Wager odds of 3-1 heading into the Derby.

Angel of Empire, who enters the Derby off wins in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1), is second choice in the Preakness Future Wager at 9-1, ahead of Lexington (G3) winner First Mission (11-1) and Forte's Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Tapit Trice (12-1), winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1). Both Angel of Empire and First Mission are trained by Brad Cox.

Japan-bred Derma Sotogake, winner of the UAE Derby (G2), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Practical Move were each 14-1. The field entry of “all other 3-year-olds” stood at 15-1, while automatic Preakness qualifiers Red Route One and Chase the Chaos were at 22-1 and 70-1, respectively.

The Preakness Future Wager was unanimously approved by the Maryland Racing Commission at its April 4 meeting. Similar to that of future wagers for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1), bettors are not refunded if their selection does not run in the Preakness, which is limited to a maximum of 14 starters.

The 148 Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, will be run Saturday, May 20 at historic Pimlico Race Course. Entries will be taken and post positions drawn Monday, May 15.

For rules, up-to-date odds or to place a bet on the Preakness Future Wager visit www.preakness.com/future-wager

Post position draw for the Kentucky Derby is Monday at 2 p.m.

PREAKNESS FUTURE WAGER

HorseCurrent OddsM-L

1. Angel of Empire                                   9-1                              12-1
2. Blazing Sevens                                   20-1                             50-1
3. Chase the Chaos                                 70-1                             99-1
4. Confidence Game                              30-1                            50-1
5. Continuar (JPN)                                60-1                            70-1
6. Cyclone Mischief                               60-1                            50-1
7. Derma Sotogake (JPN)                    14-1                             10-1
8. Disarm                                                45-1                             35-1
9. First Mission                                      11-1                              15-1
10. Forte                                                     3-1                                4-1
11. Hit Show                                            45-1                              30-1
12. Instant Coffee                                    45-1                             50-1
13. Jace's Road                                        60-1                             60-1
14. Kingsbarns                                         19-1                              15-1
15. Lord Miles                                          60-1                            60-1
16. Mage                                                    23-1                            30-1
17. Mandarin Hero (JPN)                     18-1                             20-1
18. Practical Move                                   14-1                             10-1
19. Raise Cain                                          70-1                             60-1
20. Red Route One                                  22-1                             50-1
21. Reincarnate                                       60-1                             50-1
22. Rocket Can                                        60-1                             50-1
23. Skinner                                               40-1                             20-1
24. Sun Thunder                                      99-1                            60-1
25. Tapit Trice                                          12-1                               6-1
26. Two Phil's                                           25-1                            40-1
27. Verifying                                             25-1                             15-1
28. All Other Three-Year-Olds              15-1                              8-1

*-$84,651 in pool

*-ML odds set by MJC linemaker Keith Feustle