Kentucky-bred Journalism has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1). Post positions were drawn on Saturday with Kentucky-breds comprising 18-of-20 entrants. Kentucky-bred Baeza is next on the list as an also-eligible. Post time for the Run for the Roses is 6:57 p.m. ET.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stables, Robert La Penta, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, Journalism is trained by Michael McCarthy. The son of Curlin has won his past four starts, highlighted by the San Anita Derby (G1), San Felipe S. (G2), and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Umberto Rispoli, who has been aboard for those three stakes scores, has the call from post position No. 8. Don Alberto bred Journalism in Kentucky.
As for the draw, McCarthy said, “I’m very pleased. What’s not to like.”
Sovereignty and Sandman Second and Third Choice in Kentucky Derby
Second-choice on the morning line at 5-1 is Godolphin Kentucky homebred Sovereignty. Runner-up to Tappan Street in the Florida Derby (G1) and winner of the Fountain of Youth S. (G2), Sovereignty is trained by Bill Mott and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado. A son of Into Mischief, Sovereignty drew in post position No. 18.
Third choice on the morning line is Kentucky-bred Sandman at odds of 6-1. Winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1), Sandman is owned by DJ Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Cj Stables, and is trained by Mark Casse. Jose Ortiz rides and the pair will break from post position No. 17. Lothenbach Stables Inc. bred Sandman, a son of Tapit, in Kentucky.
Kentucky Derby (GI) Field
- Citizen Bull (Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert, 20-1)
- Neoequous (FL) (Flavien Prat, Saffie Joseph Jr., 30-1)
- Final Gambit (Luan Machado, Brad Cox, 30-1)
- Rodriguez (Mike Smith, Bob Baffert, 12-1)
- American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 30-1)
- Admire Daytona (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire, Yukihiro Kato, 30-1)
- Luxor Café (Joao Moreira, Noriyuki Kato, 15-1)
- Journalism (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy, 3-1)
- Burnham Square (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ian Wilkes, 12-1)
- Grande (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 20-1)
- Flying Mohawk (Joe Ramos, Whit Beckman, 30-1)
- East Avenue (Manny Franco, Brendan Walsh, 20-10
- Publisher (Irad Ortiz Jr., Steve Asmussen, 20-1)
- Tiztastic (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 20-10
- Render Judgment (Julien Leparoux, Kenny McPeek, 30-1)
- Coal Battle (Juan Vargas, Lonnie Briley, 30-1)
- Sandman (Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse, 6-1)
- Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott, 5-1)
- Chunk of Gold (Jareth Loveberry, Ethan West, 30-1)
- Owen Almighty (Javier Castellano, Brian Lynch, 30-1)
- AE: Baeza (Flavien Prat, John Shirreffs, 12-1)