Lookin At Lucky made derby favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 28 (UPI) -- Lookin at Lucky and Sidney's Candy, two of the likely favorites, drew post positions No. 1 and No. 20, respectively, for Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

The field's only filly, Devil May Care, will start in the middle from gate No. 11.

Positions were drawn Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

While neither the inside nor the outside post is ideal, Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy got the worst of the draw. As a confirmed front-runner, the Candy Ride colt will find himself trying to beat several other speed horses to the rail before the field hits the first turn. Otherwise, jockey Joe Talamo will have to work out a trip from behind the early leaders.

Sidney's Candy has won his last three races, all while leading at every pole.

"Not the best of draws. What can I say?" lamented John Sadler, Sidney's Candy's trainer. "At least you're outside and can see what's going on. It just shows you how tough it is. But what are you going to do? That's how it works. You've just got to deal with what you've got and do the best you can with it."

Lookin At Lucky, under Garrett Gomez, will be able to settle behind the early leaders, as he has in most of his six career wins. Even at that, the rail is a tough spot in such a crowded field and co-owner Mike Pegram reacted accordingly.

"There's no use in crying about it," he said. "All we've got to do is think positive. If we get a good trip, there is no reason why this horse should not run his race. We'll find out if he's good enough to win."

The full field of 20 3-year-olds was filled by Make Music for Me and Backtalk as Sunland Derby winner Endorsement and turf specialist Interactif were removed from consideration at the last moment. Trainer Shannon Ritter said Endorsement had a sore leg. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Interactif would return to the grass.

Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia said before the draw he likely would post Lookin at Lucky -- a Smart Strike colt trained by Bob Baffert -- as the morning-line favorite. He also said Devil May Care, making her first start against males, will be among the better-regarded starters.

Pletcher, who has saddled 24 Kentucky Derby starters without a winner, wound up with four starters for the 136th Run for the Roses. In addition to Devil May Care, they are Arkansas Derby runner-up Super Saver, Louisiana Derby winner Mission Impazible and Discreetly Mine, would finished fourth in the Arkansas Derby.

The field for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, by post position, with jockey and trainer:

1. Lookin At Lucky, Garrett Gomez, Bob Baffert

2. Ice Box, Jose Lezcano, Nick Zito

3. Noble's Promise, Willie Martinez, Kenny McPeek

4. Super Saver, Calvin Borel, Todd Pletcher

5. Line of David, Rafael Bejarano, John Sadler

6. Stately Victor, Alan Garcia, Michael Maker

7. American Lion, David Flores, Eoin Harty

8. Dean's Kitten, Robby Albarado, Michael Maker

9. Make Music for Me, Joel Rosario, Alexis Barba

10. Paddy O'Prado, Kent Desormeaux, Dale Romans

11. Devil May Care, John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher