The juvenile champ has attracted a large percentage of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager money through the first two pools.

Yet on the heels of a last-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby, many are hesitant to back the juvenile champ in his next scheduled start — the Wood Memorial — much less the Run for the Roses.

Persoanlly, I had not been one of his devout followers all along, so am certainly a bit disappointed as I was looking forward towards betting against him with both fists on the first Saturday in May.

With so many others now joining me on the bandwagon of suspicion, the ride will prove much less lucrative.

It occurs quite frequently that a subpar effort needs to be ignored, and a return to top form in a subsequent outing can be found at a nice price. But the performance of War Pass was far from subpar — it was dreadful. And that type of effort from a horse of his caliber is a major red flag.

All aboard!

It should also be pointed out that the victory by Big Truck over Atoned is a nice win, but let’s not get carried away. Aside from these big three names, the Tampa Bay Derby field consisted of garbage — and with War Pass running like garbage, these two left to decide it is the only plausible outcome.