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Tabbing the winner of the Kentucky Derby weeks or even months ahead of the actual race can boost a bettors bankroll as well as his reputation. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, will offer handicappers the chance to do just that through its Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Now in its 14th year, the Kentucky Derby Future Wager includes three separate pools in the buildup to the Kentucky Derby, which will be run on May 5 this year. Pool 1 will be conducted Feb. 10-12 with Pool 2 following on March 2-4. Pool 3 will be conducted March 30-April 1, which is the weekend most of the final major prep races for the Kentucky Derby will be run.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Churchill Downs will also offer future betting on the Kentucky Oaks, the filly counterpart of the Derby to be run May 4. A single Oaks pool will be open from March 2-4.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager will once again consist of 24 wagering interests. It includes 23 individual horses and a mutuel field, which encompasses all other 3-year-olds. Typically, the mutuel field is bet down to heavy favoritism in the first two pools. Many of the 23 horses listed in the early pools won't even make it to the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.

For example, last year's winner, Animal Kindgom, was such an unknown in early spring that he was part of the mutuel field in both of the first two pools. He returned $6.20 as part of the mutuel field in the Pool 1 and $9.40 in Pool 2.

However, by Pool 3 Animal Kingdom was on the radar of handicappers and available as an individual betting interest. He was let go at odds of 31-1 in the future pool. The $64.40 return was a much higher payout than the $43.80 he returned on Derby day.

In addition to win wagers, Churchill Downs will also offer Exacta betting on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Exacta payouts for the three pools last year were $230, $388.20 and $3,074,60. The Derby Day exacta payout was $329.80.

Betting interests for each Future Wager pool are announced the Wednesday before the pools open.

The unfortunate aspect of the official Kentucky Derby Future Wager, in the eyes of many bettors, is the fact it's limited to just 23 individual horses. It seems with modern technology, there would be the ability to greatly expand the number of horses offered and thus the potential for higher payouts.

Still, it may be worth putting a few bucks in the future wager pool if you're high on a horse. It is likely to pay at least a little better than the raceday odds and you certainly earn some bragging rights for finding the Derby winner months in advance.

Wagering on the Derby and Oaks Future wagers will be available at such online wagering sites as Xpressbet.com as well as racetracks and simulcast facilities around the country.