There's debate as to whether the number 13 is lucky or unlucky, but for unbeaten GI Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist (Uncle Mo), it has already brought good fortune. Reddam Racing's GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby romper took last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile in the number 13 saddle cloth en route to an Eclipse Award, and drew the same gate Wednesday for Saturday's 142nd Run for the Roses. “He's doing so well and breaking from the 13 is fine,” said Nyquist's trainer Doug O'Neill of the 3-1 morning-line favorite. “He was number 13 when he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. The post draw didn't matter to us a ton, but we're happy being more towards the outside for sure.”
Second choice on Mike Battaglia's morning line at 8-1 is Exaggerator (Curlin), who drew two spots inside of Nyquist. Ridden and trained by brothers Kent and Keith Desormeaux, respectively, the dark bay uncorked a head-turning rally to splash home a 6 1/4-length winner over Mor Spirit (Eskendereya) in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 9.
Mor Spirit, also second in the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 12, is 12-1 on the morning line and will leave from stall 17 barring any scratches. Fellow Bob Baffert trainee American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) left from post 15 as the number 18 when he kicked off his historic Triple Crown sweep 12 months ago.
“The last time I had the 17 post was Point Given (Thunder Gulch) with Gary Stevens, and here we are again,” said Baffert, referring the 2001 Kentucky Derby fifth-place finisher who would go on to win the GI Preakness S. and Belmont S. en route to Horse of the Year honors. “All the speed is in one gate on the outside. It'll probably be two different races going on.”
Perhaps the most noteworthy result of Wednesday's post position draw was the placement of 'TDN Rising Star' and San Felipe winner Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy) in the far-outside 20 hole. The morning line 15-1 shot is expected to show the way early. “At first you're kind of stunned when they say 20, but when you start thinking about it, it's not that bad,” offered conditioner Cliff Sise, Jr. “It's better than the one hole, especially for a speed horse–he can come over very gradually and he won't sit in the gate long. Actually, it might be in our favor. We're outside of any other speed horse, so we'll take it.”
In addition to Nyquist, GI Wood Memorial hero Outwork (Uncle Mo) is expected to lay close early. The Mike Repole homebred is 15-1 on the morning line and will wear the number 15 as well. Trainer Todd Pletcher's other representative Destin (Giant's Causeway), last seen besting Outwork in the GII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 12, will break from stall nine and is also 15-1 on Battaglia's line.
“I'm good with them,” Pletcher said. “We like the 15 for Outwork. It gives us some room inside between the gates [as the first stall in the auxiliary gate]. And I'm OK with the nine for Destin. The only thing that concerns me is the horse inside Destin (Lani {Tapit}). I have some concern about that horse acting up. But the posts themselves are fine.”
Steve Asmussen, who was recently named as part of the 2016 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame class, is well represented this year as he seeks his first Derby victory.
GI Arkansas Derby victor Creator (Tapit) drew stall three, while GII Louisiana Derby hero Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) will be two stalls to that one's outside. Both are 10-1 on the morning line.
Mohaymen (Tapit), the Derby favorite for much of the winter until he finished a disappointing fourth in the Florida Derby, is the third horse installed at 10-1. He'll break from the last stall in the main gate–14. Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway), an off-the-pace winner of the GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 9, drew the 19 hole.
Laoban (Uncle Mo) and Cherry Wine (Paddy O'Prado) are the first and second also-eligibles respectively should someone from the main body of the field scratch. They will need to draw in by 9:00 a.m. Friday morning to compete.
The Derby, which carries a purse of $2,391,600 should 20 horses start, will be televised Saturday on NBC. Approximate post time is 6:34 p.m.
Saturday, Churchill Downs
142ND KENTUCKY DERBY-GI, $2,391,600, 3yo, 1 1/4m
PP, Horse (Sire), Jockey, ML
1 Trojan Nation (Street Cry (Ire), Gryder, 50-1
2 Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft), Quinonez, 20-1
3 Creator (Tapit), Santana Jr, 10-1
4 Mo Tom (Uncle Mo), Lanerie, 20-1
5 Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), Geroux, 10-1
6 My Man Sam (Trappe Shot), Ortiz Jr., 20-1
7 Oscar Nominated (Kitten's Joy), Leparoux, 50-1
8 Lani (Tapit), Take, 30-1
9 Destin (Giant's Causeway), Castellano, 15-1
10 Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), Espinoza, 20-1
11 Exaggerator (Curlin), Desormeaux, 8-1
12 Tom's Ready (More Than Ready), Hernandez, Jr., 30-1
13 Nyquist (Uncle Mo), Gutierrez, 3-1
14 Mohaymen (Tapit), Alvarado, 10-1
15 Outwork (Uncle Mo), Velazquez, 15-1
16 Shagaf (Bernardini), Rosario, 20-1
17 Mor Spirit (Eskendereya), Stevens, 12-1
18 Majesto (Tiznow), Jaramillo, 30-1
19 Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway), Saez, 12-1
20 Danzing Candy (Twirling Candy), Smith, 15-1
Also Eligible
21 Laoban (Uncle Mo), Velasquez
22 Cherry Wine (Paddy O'Prado), Albarado
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
