Mike Brunker Horse racing editor • Profile • E-mail

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Horseplayers betting on the Kentucky Derby a day early at Churchill Downs were having a hard time picking between morning line choice Big Brown, who was holding at 7-2, and California invader Colonel John at 4-1.

With just $456,291 in the win pool at the end of the Kentucky Oaks day card — just a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $12 million expected to be wagered on the race — the odds could shift significantly when the “serious money” comes in on the race on Saturday. But the early wagering gives some indication of how the public is viewing the various competitors.

The third choice of the early-bird betters was Pyro, at 5-1.

Probably the biggest surprise was the action that the filly Eight Belles was attracting. She was fourth in the wagering, at odds of 8-1.

Here’s the full rundown of odds on the Kentucky Derby runners, by post position, at the end of the Oaks program:

1. Cool Coal Man, 36-1; 2.Tale of Ekati, 46-1; 3. Anak Nakal, 57-1; 4. Court Vision, 14-1; 5. Eight Belles, 8-1; 6. Z Fortune, 17-1; 7. Big Truck, 20-1; 8. Visionaire,22-1; 9. Pyro, 5-1; 10. Colonel John, 4-1; 11. Z Humor, 67-1; 12. Smooth Air, 40-1; 13. Bob Black Jack, 26-1; 14. Monba, 30-1; 15. Adriano, 23-1; 16. Denis of Cork, 27-1; 17. Cowboy Cal, 43-1; 18. Recapturetheglory, 47-1; 19. Gayego, 20-1; 20. Big Brown, 7-2.

And, for betters who picked Proud Spell in the Oaks-Derby Double, here are the payoffs for a $2 bet with the Derby contenders:

1. Cool Coal Man, $436.00; 2. Tale of Ekati, $312.20; 3. Anak Nakal, $778.00; 4. Court Vision, $132.20; 5. Eight Belles, $212.00; 6. Fortune, $143.60; 7. ig Truck, $848.40; 8. Visionaire, $235.60; 9. Pyro, $55.80; 10. Colonel John, $54.80; 11. Z Humor, $644.80; 12. Smooth Air, $369.60; 13. Bob Black Jack, $514.80; 14. Monba, $281.60; 15. Adriano, $297.00; 16. Denis of Cork, $224.20; 17. Cowboy Cal, $593.80; 18. Recapturetheglory, $578.60; 19. Gayego, $227.00; 20. Big Brown, $37.80.

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