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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AFP) –
Orb stands on the track during the morning training for the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2013, in Louisville, Kentucky. Orb, trained by Shug McGaughey, drew the 16th post Wednesday for the Kentucky Derby and was installed as the early 7-2 favorite for the the first jewel in US flat racing’s Triple Crown.
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Orb, trained by Shug McGaughey, drew the 16th post Wednesday for the Kentucky Derby and was installed as the early 7-2 favorite for the the first jewel in US flat racing’s Triple Crown.
Orb won the Florida Derby with a stalking run, and has looked impressive since arriving at Churchill Downs last week to earn early favorite’s status over unbeaten Verrazano, who drew the 14th post and was priced at 4-1 in the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Verrazano is one of five entries saddled by trainer Todd Pletcher.
Goldencents was priced at 5-1 and will break from the eighth stall with Kevin Krigger aboard.
Krigger, a 29-year-old born in the US Virgin Islands, is vying to become the first black jockey since 1902 to win the Kentucky Derby. Goldencents is trained by Doug O’Neill, who saddled last year’s winner I’ll Have Another.
Pletcher was pleased that Verrazano will start outside Goldencents and a third horse expected to bring early speed — Falling Sky, priced at 50-1 from the 13th post.
“It was a great post position for us,” Pletcher said. “We got everything we wanted.”
The full field of 20 horses features one European raider in the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lines of Battle.
The winner of the UAE Derby last month arrived in Kentucky on Wednesday and was expected to test the track after clearing quarantine on Friday.
Lines of Battle will start from the 11th post with Ryan Moore aboard.
The Kentucky Derby is the first race in the Triple Crown that also includes the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
The last horse to complete the coveted treble was Affirmed in 1978. I’ll Have Another won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year, but his chance at becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner ended when injury forced him out of the Belmont and into retirement.
