|
 American Pharoah was listed at 5-2 in the morning odds, with
stablemate Dortmund rated the 3-1 second pick for his trip from the
eighth position in the 20-horse field.
Trainer Bob Baffert was thrilled his two prime contenders in the Run
for the Roses had avoided the number one post position.
"Outside doesn't really bother me," Baffert said about the auxiliary
gate where American Pharoah will break from in the 1-1/4 mile race.
"I just didn't want to get stuck inside. He's a fast horse. In this
race with so many horses, you have to break well. As long as he
breaks well, he'll be in a good spot."
Baffert was relieved when Santa Anita Derby winner Dortmund was
assigned the eighth spot, as the inside starting position was also
still available.
"The dreaded one hole, it's not a good feeling," said Baffert, who
trained back-to-back Derby winners in 1997 and 1998 with Silver
Charm and Real Quiet. "When he drew the eight, I was happy with
that."
Ocho Ocho Ocho, a 50-1 longshot, drew the rail in the race for
3-year-olds.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has four horses in the field, with his top
contender, Carpe Diem, drawing the second lane from the rail. Carpe
Diem was listed as third choice at 8-1.
"We'll need to get away cleanly and establish position early," said
Pletcher. "A little further inside than would be ideal. But
oftentimes you get a good trip from a bad post. Hopefully we get a
clean break."
[to top of second column] |
Co-fourth choice at 12-1 in the early odds were Materiality,
starting from the third position, and Firing Line, in the 10th gate,
followed at 15-1 by Frosted from the 15th gate and Upstart, one lane
outside American Pharoah at 19.
Two also eligible for the race should any horse scratch by Friday
morning were Frammento, trained by Nick Zito, and Tale of Verve,
trained by Dallas Stewart.
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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