Kentucky Derby favourite Omaha Beach has drawn barrier 12 of 20 for the famous Run To The Roses with second elect Game Winner in 16.
Their respective trainers Richard Mandella and Bob Baffert were both relieved not to have drawn close to the rail which has traditionally been a stumbling block at Churchill Downs.
“Perfect. I love it,” Mandella said.
“Didn’t want to be down inside. I think I’m in a great spot.”
Omaha Beach is at 4-1 ahead of the race on Saturday (Sunday AEST) with last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Game Winner at 5-1.
Baffert is aiming to match Ben Jones’ record with his sixth Kentucky Derby win and second straight.
He won last year with Justify, culminating in the Triple Crown. That came three years after he took the Triple Crown with American Pharoah.
“I like the 16 hole, it’s a good spot,” Baffert said.
“I think it’s less stressful (not having the favourite). I think the expectations when you have the favourite is put on you but I think when I had the favourite with Pharoah or Justify, it was their race to lose..
“There are a lot of nice horses in this race. Omaha Beach, he deserves to be the favourite. We’ll just see how it plays out.”
