The final pool of the 2014 Kentucky Derby Futures Wager opens today at noon, offering bettors the last chance to bet in advance of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3 and to try to get better odds than they will on raceday.

The morning line favorite at 5-1 in this fourth futures pool is California Chrome, winner of the San Felipe at Santa Anita by 7 1/4 lengths on March 1.  Prior to that race, California Chrome closed at 32-1 in the third Kentucky Derby futures wager in early March.  Expected to make his next start in next week’s Santa Anita Derby on April 5, he currently sits at #9 in the Kentucky Derby points standings, tied with two other horses at 50 points, likely more than enough to make the Derby.

Second choice in this futures pool is Cairo Prince at 6-1; he was 9-1 at the close of the last pool, on the strength of a 5 3/4-length victory in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park on January 25. He’ll race next this Saturday in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and was installed yesterday as the 9-5 morning line favorite for that race. A nose away from being undefeated in four lifetime starts, Cairo Prince is a son of Pioneerof the Nile, who finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

Cairo Prince has 14 points in the Kentucky Derby points system, which puts him at #18 in the standings. The top 20 points earners in designated Kentucky Derby preps will have the right to enter the starting gate on May 3.

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