Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome drew post No. 5 and was installed as the 5-2 favorite on the morning line for Saturday’s 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Post time for the Run for the Roses, which will be televised on NBC, is scheduled for 6:24 p.m.
Intense Holiday, owned in part by Duanesburg’s Don Lucarelli, drew the No. 16 post and is the 12-1 fifth choice with jockey John Velazquez. Lucarelli is co-managing partner with Jack Wolf in Starlight Racing, which bought another Derby runner, General a Rod, this week.
General a Rod drew post No. 8, will be ridden by Joel Rosario and is 15-1.
California Chrome has won four straight, all stakes races, and will be be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who also won the Derby from the No. 5 post in 2002 aboard War Emblem.
Intense Holiday won the Risen Star and was second to Vicar’s In Trouble in the Louisiana Derby in his last start.
Lucarelli said he was happy with the post position for both of his horses.
“I’d rather be outside than inside with this horse,” he said of Intense Holiday. “I surmise Johnny will have an opportunity to pick a spot that he wants going into the first turn. I don’t think you want to be inside the seven, because then they just crush into you.”
Vicar’s In Trouble, who will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik, drew the dreaded No. 1 post.
“Vicar’s is real sharp out of the gate, and should be able to get good position; he’s really versatile,” Napravnik said in an NBCSN interview, shortly after she dropped her head in reaction to seeing Vicar’s In Trouble draw the 1. “Vicar’s not in trouble yet.”
After the full field of 20, there is only one also-eligible, Pablo Del Monte, who will draw in if a horse scratches before 9 a.m. Friday, when early wagering for the Derby begins.
Here’s the field, in post-position order, with trainer, jockey and odds:
1 Vicar’s In Trouble (Mike Maker, Rosie Napravnik) 30-1
2 Harry’s Holiday (Mike Maker, Corey Lanerie) 50-1
3 Uncle Sigh (Gary Contessa, Irad Ortiz Jr.) 30-1
4 Danza (Todd Pletcher, Joe Bravo) 10-1
5 California Chrome (Art Sherman, Victor Espinoza) 5-2
6 Samraat (Rick Violette Jr., Jose Ortiz) 15-1
7 We Miss Artie (Todd Pletcher, Javier Castellano) 50-1
8 General a Rod (Mike Maker, Joel Rosario) 15-1
9 Vinceremos (Todd Pletcher, Joe Rocco Jr.) 30-1
10 Wildcat Red (Jose Garoffalo, Luis Saez) 15-1
11 Hoppertunity (Bob Baffert, Mike Smith) 6-1
12 Dance With Fate (Peter Eurton, Corey Nakatani) 20-1
13 Chitu (Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia) 20-1
14 Medal Count (Dale Romans, Robby Albarado) 20-1
15 Tapiture (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana Jr.) 15-1
16 Intense Holiday (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez) 12-1
17 Commanding Curve (Dallas Stewart, Shaun Bridgmohan) 50-1
18 Candy Boy (John Sadler, Gary Stevens) 20-1
19 Ride On Curlin (Bill Gowan, Calvin Borel) 15-1
20 Wicked Strong (James Jerkens, Rajiv Maragh) 8-1
Also-Eligible Pablo del Monte (Wesley Ward, no jockey named) 50-1
Categories: -Sports-
