Kentucky Derby 2017 Future Wager - Pool 1

Let's face it, betting on Kentucky Derby 2017 better than five months out is a risky proposition. On the other hand, it's fun, and tabbing the winner of America's most prestigious race this far out definitely gives you bragging rights with your racing buddies, not to mention the winnings. With the demand, comes the supply -- Churchill Downs will be rolling out their first 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager beginning this Thursday, November 24, and running through Sunday, November 27.

For more information on previous results, as well as scheduling of all future pools, please be sure to visit KentuckyDerby.com.

Sure to attract plenty of attention in this year's Pool 1 will be the impressive 1-2 finishers in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Classic Empire and Not This Time. Clearly the top two from one of better editions of the race in recent memory, both Kentucky based colts have plenty to like. Classic Empire will surely be named Juvenile Champion in a few months on the strength of 4 wins in 5 starts. The winner at the Breeders' Cup is bred to get the distance, and has already demonstrated a fondness for the Churchill Downs' main track. The son of Pioneerof The Nile has only one loss this year, and that came when he dumped his rider in the early stages of the Hopeful. As Juvenile Champs go, he looks legit.

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Not This Time Retired due to a Soft Tissue Injury

Meanwhile, Not This Time, though second at Santa Anita, also should attract plenty of attention in the Future Pool. A son of Giant's Causeway, and a half-brother to the brilliant Liam’s Map, Not This Time, as well, boasts a strong win over the Derby track, having romped in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes earlier this fall. Trained by Louisville native, Dale Romans, it is hard not to like how he finished in the BC Juvenile, cutting into the winner's advantage down the lane, to only fall a neck short on the wire.

While that familiar pair figure to be the two top choices, stakes winners from this past Saturday should also receive a good deal of interest. Mastery has been the most talked about young colt in a loaded Bob Baffert barn so far this year. After winning his debut like a good thing, the son of Candy Ride cruised in Saturday's Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes. He has yet to be farther than seven furlongs, but his future looks very bright.

Gunnevera, on the other hand, brings to the table a whole lot more experience than his fellow Saturday stakes winner. In his sixth lifetime start, the son of the stretch running winner of the 2011 Florida Derby, Dialed In, used his own powerful late run to sweep by the field and win the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot in overpowering style. It was his third win overall, and his second graded stakes score.

While Mastery and Gunnevera impressed on Saturday, several other promising youngsters will look to make a name for themselves this coming Saturday in New York and Louisville.

The Bernardini colt, Takaful looked like a million bucks running to a big win in his career debut for the Kiaran McLaughlin barn. He looks to be the choice on Saturday at Aqueduct, off his October 29 romp at 6 1/2-furlongs, but will need to prove he can successfully navigate nine furlongs in only his second lifetime start. Chief among his competition in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes will be Mo Town. After a solid second in his unveiling at Saratoga, the son of Uncle Mo was a big winner at a mile in a Belmont Park maiden in September.

McCraken, meanwhile, should be the one to beat in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs. The son of Ghostzapper is perfect in two starts for trainer, Ian Wilkes. Both victories came at the Louisville oval, including an eye-catching, swoop the field win in the Street Sense Stakes on October 30.

Other horses of note in the first Future Wager of the year include: Beach Bum is another lightly-raced, and good looking prospect from the Baffert barn, and this impressive debut winner has plenty of pedigree to expect good things on the stretch-out. Though he was well beaten at Santa Anita, it's hard to argue with the juvenile record of Practical Joke. The Into Mischief colt won a pair of Grade 1 races in New York (Hopeful and Champagne), before traveling west for trainer, Chad Brown, to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

One horse not on the list it Good Samaritan from the barn of Bill Mott. He's only run on turf so far, and has performed very well in three starts. The good news with him is that the son of Harlan's Holiday has plenty of dirt breeding to fall back on. If you like him, you will have to play the Field option which is always the favorite this far from the race.

Here is the entire field for the 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1, which includes 23 individual betting interests, and a 24th "all others" option:

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Wagering on Not This Time has been Suspended due to his Retirement