California Chrome Draws Post 5 in Derby 140
Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) drew post five for Saturday’s
GI Kentucky Derby, prompting a smattering of applause from his connections, and he was installed the 5-2 morning-line favorite on Mike Battaglia’s morning line when post positions were drawn Wednesday evening at Churchill Downs. The flashy chestnut will be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who rode War Emblem to victory from the same post in the 2002 Derby. “I like it fine,” veteran trainer Art Sherman said of the GI Santa Anita Derby hero’s post. “Victor says he likes it. I’m happy and I feel no pressure.”
Wednesday’s draw did effect Battaglia’s line. The oddsmaker admitted he originally had
GI Twinspires.com Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) as the race’s second choice, but after the Centennial Farms’ colorbearer drew the 20 post, Battaglia called an audible and made GII Rebel S. winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) second choice at 6-1. Wicked Strong is third choice at 8-1.
Trainer Bob Baffert, already a three-time Derby winner, will saddle both Hoppertunity and Chitu (Henny Hughes), who breaks from post 13, Saturday. “I’m happy with the way the horses are training and that’s more important [than the draw],” Baffert said. “The only disadvantage is that Hoppertunity is going to have to wait in the gate for a long time, but I’d rather wait in the 11-hole than wait in the one-hole.” Baffert added, “We’re all assuming a lot of stuff but, this Derby, aside from that California Chrome has proven he’s a really good horse, there’s a lot of horses in there that are pretty close. There’s a lot of parity in this field, so that’s why we have 20 horses, because everybody might have a chance.”
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens was trying to remain optimistic about Wicked Strong’s outside post. “It might be that speed is quick and they get to rolling in a clump and he can draft in behind them and it’ll work out OK,” Jerkens said. “The one positive is that he’s not in the gate very long. I’m trying to convince myself that it’s not a bad post, but I don’t know if I can.”
Also trying to deal with a potentially unfriendly post was Rosie Napravnik, who will ride Vicar’s In Trouble (Into Mischief). The very first pill out of Dan Bork’s bottle Wednesday belonged to the GII Louisiana Derby hero and, after the draw, Napravnik told NBC’s Donna Brothers that “her jaw dropped” when his name was announced. She added that Vicar’s in Trouble was able to sit off horses en route to a win in the GIII Lecomte S. in January and she was confident she’d be able to carve out a trip from the rail. “Vicar’s not in trouble yet,” Napravnik quipped. The one hole has not supplied the winner of the Derby since Ferdinand in 1986.
SAY WHAT?
“[Four] is a good spot for Danza. He won the Arkansas Derby out of the one hole. He’s fine with being on the inside.” On Intense Holiday (post 16): “We like it. Orb drew the 16 last year and he got it done. The outside gate is hot and it will allow Johnny [Velazquez] an opportunity to get clear and pick a spot. On We Miss Artie (post 7): “Perfect. Just what I was dreaming of.” On Vinceremos (post nine): “That’s a good spot for him. We did well with our draw.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher on his four Derby contenders
“I’m not unhappy with that. He breaks well. I think he’s faster than the horses inside of him. This gives him an opportunity to get position, maybe even get to the rail in the second flight. I love that position.”
Trainer Gary Contessa on Uncle Sigh, post 3
“I think it is a terrific spot. I think you just have to try to break clean and go straight and size things up past the wire for the first time. The speed is inside of us and we have tactical speed. I don’t think there’s a downside to it.”
Trainer Rick Violette on Samraat, post 6
“I am thrilled with it. There is a lot of speed to the inside of us rather than outside and that should give us a good chance to pick a spot.”
Trainer Peter Eurton on Dance with Fate, post 12
“That’s a good spot. That’s where, last week when we were talking about it, Robby [Albarado] said he’d like to be the last one in the main gate and that’s where he is. It doesn’t matter because we’re going to drop back and make one run. I just want my jock happy and he was happy with it.”
Trainer Dale Romans on Medal Count, post 14
“I think it’s ideal for us right now. The way that the draw unfolded, so much speed to the inner 10, it’s every chance we’ve ever wanted.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen on Tapiture, post 15
“It’s OK. I’d rather be outside than in. And I don’t put a lot of energy into things I can’t control. We’ll figure out a strategy and go from there. I think we’ll be fine.”
Trainer John Sadler on Candy Boy, post 18