The post positions are set for Saturday’s running of the 142nd Kentucky Derby. Nyquist has been made the early 3 -1 favorite for the Derby, with Exaggerator the second choice in the full field of 20 horses.
Nyquist drew the No. 13 post as the colt trained by Doug O’Neill tries to win the first jewel of the Triple Crown and improve to 8-0.
“You know, when you have a horse like Nyquist, he gives you so much calm and so much confidence, and the family atmosphere we have at the barn, you know, we’re just sharing this whole journey and we’re so excited, we kind of want to slow it down and soak it up even more,” O’Neill said after the draw.
Exaggerator drew the No. 11 post and is 8 -1 for the 1 1/4-mile race Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert returns to the Derby after winning the Triple Crown last year with American Pharoah. Baffert’s Mor Spirit will be ridden by three-time Derby champ Gary Stevens and will run from post 17.
No Derby horse has ever won from that slot, but Stevens points out that, historically, most Derby fields were smaller.
“I’ve run out of the 15 with Thunder Gulch. I like being in that auxiliary gate, and I’ve had some luck running out of there with seconds or thirds, so it’s fine,” Stevens said.
Creator, Gun Runner and Mohaymen are the co-third choices at 10-1.
Here is the Post Position Draw Sheet, courtesy of Churchill Downs:
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