The Kentucky Derby is one of the oldest and most renowned sporting events in the United States and for the 139th running of the race the horse Orb is the favorite at 7-2 odds, just ahead of Verrazano, who is undefeated and has one of the top trainers.
According to ESPN.com, Orb opened as the favorite out of the 16th post, while Black Onyx is 50-1 in the first post, ahead of Oxbow at 30-1 in the second, two of the toughest spots. Trainer Doug O'Neill will have attention on Saturday, as his horse Goldencents, which is co-owned by Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, was placed in the eighth post at 5-1 odds, in third place behind Orb and Verrazano. O'Neill was on I'll Have Another, who won last year, and despite the fact that there was controversy at the end of last year when one of his horses failed a drug test and I'll Have Another was pulled before the Belmont, he will have the chance to make up for it on Saturday. The year's race is considered to be wide open by experts and the post positions reflect that, including Verrazano in the 14th spot and Orb in the seventh.
Orb is trained by Shug McGaughey and history bodes well for the seven spot, as four horses have won from that post position, including two years ago when Animal Kingdom took it. The Hall of fame trainer will be looking for his first Derby win and he has some momentum with Orb, as the horse has won four races heading into the event, including the Florida Derby. Verazzano is the Wood Memorial winner and at the 14th spot Pletcher said he was pleased and he also has another horse in the race in Revolutionary, who is the fourth favorite at 10-1 in the third position.
Pletcher won the Derby in 2010 on Super Saver and he will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday, while Normandy Invasion is 12-1 as the fifth favorite. Black Onyx is a longshot out of the first position at 50-1 and in the past 12 horses have won the event out of that post. The 10 furlong race has a $2.18 million purse at Churchill Downs in Kentucky and legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas will have his 46th and 47th horses starting in the Derby with Will Take Charge and Oxbow.