California Chrome Draws Post 5, Tabbed Favorite
Image:
Description:
California Chrome, above, was tabbed the 5-to-2 morning-line favorite for the 140th Kentucky Derby and drew post position five for Saturday's first jewel of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Victor Espinoza, who has the weighty responsibility of riding favored California Chrome in the 140th Kentucky Derby, found himself growing increasingly nervous as one favorable post position after another was drawn on Wednesday.
Then he breathed a sigh of relief when his mount was assigned the fifth post position in a field of 20, knowing that will allow him plenty of options and not force his hand in any way.
“I have to play the break and then we go from there,” he said.
Art Sherman, 77, seeking to become the oldest trainer to win the Run for the Roses, believes that post will allow his stellar California-bred to be forwardly placed and secure a good position entering what can be a troublesome first turn at Churchill Downs.
“If this horse breaks clean, he’s got a lot of speed,” Sherman said. “This horse has got some gas if you want to use it.”
California Chrome, winner of his last four starts by a combined margin of 24 ¼ lengths, was established as an early 5-to-2 favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.
POST-POSITION DRAW
Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing
Hoppertunity, a distant second to California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby, was made the second choice at 6-to-1. He will enter the starting gate at post 11.
“The only disadvantage is that Hoppertunity is going to have to wait a long time,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “But I would rather wait in the 11 hole than the one hole.”
Wicked Strong, the Wood Memorial Stakes winner and the third choice on the morning line at 8-to-1, had the misfortune of drawing farthest outside in post 20.
“It will be tricky, that’s for sure,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said of the challenge ahead of Rajiv Maragh, his rider. Wicked Strong prefers to come from off the pace, but he may be farther back than is desirable, given his starting point.
“I’ll try to convince myself that it’s not so bad as time goes by,” Jerkens said.
Rosie Napravnik, bidding to become the first female rider to win the Derby, had her task made more difficult when Vicar's in Trouble, the front-running winner of the Louisiana Derby, came away with the rail.
“What are you going to do?” said disappointed trainer Mike Maker. “You try to make the best of a bad situation.”
On a positive note for him, Vicar’s in Trouble has a history of breaking sharply. It will be almost imperative that he do so again. “I don’t know that he has to be on the lead, but he’s got to be quick the first few jumps,” Maker said.
As Sherman winds down his preparations with California Chrome, he intends to stand him in the starting gate on Thursday and school him in the paddock in addition to giving him an early-morning gallop. The West Coast star will gallop again on Friday and be allowed to jog around the track on the morning of the Derby.
“I put just about all of my horses on the track on race day,” Sherman said. “It keeps them loose, allows them to do something other than standing in the stall and getting nervous.”
$2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands
Saturday, Churchill Downs, Race 11, Post Time 6:24
1 ¼ miles, dirt, 3-year-olds
Television: NBC coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
ML Odds
1
Vicar's in Trouble
Rosie Napravnik
Mike Maker
20-1
2
Harry's Holiday
Corey Lanerie
Mike Maker
50-1
3
Uncle Sigh
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Gary Contessa
30-1
4
Danza
Joe Bravo
Todd Pletcher
8-1
5
California Chrome
Victor Espinoza
Art Sherman
5-2
6
Samraat
Jose Ortiz
Rick Violette
15-1
7
We Miss Artie
Javier Castellano
Todd Pletcher
50-1
8
General a Rod
Joel Rosario
Mike Maker
15-1
9
Vinceremos
Joe Rocco Jr.
Todd Pletcher
30-1
10
Wildcat Red
Luis Saez
Jose Garoffalo
15-1
11
Hoppertunity
SCRATCHED
12
Dance With Fate
Corey Nakatani
Peter Eurton
20-1
13
Chitu
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
20-1
14
Medal Count
Robby Albarado
Dale Romans
20-1
15
Tapiture
Ricardo Santana Jr.
Steve Asmussen
12-1
16
Intense Holiday
John Velazquez
Todd Pletcher
8-1
17
Commanding Curve
Shaun Bridgmohan
Dallas Stewart
50-1
18
Candy Boy
Gary Stevens
John Sadler
15-1
19
Ride On Curlin
Calvin Borel
William Gowan
15-1
20
Wicked Strong
Rajiv Maragh
Jimmy Jerkens
6-1
21
Pablo Del Monte
SCRATCHED