April 30 (UPI) -- April 30 (UPI) -- Omaha Beach, the Arkansas Derby winner, was installed Tuesday as the 4-1 favorite for Saturday's 145th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.
Trainer Bob Baffert, seeking his sixth victory in the Run for the Roses, sends out the next three picks on morning line -- Game Winner at 5-1 and Roadster and Improbable, both at 6-1.
Omaha Beach, a War Front colt trained by Richard Mandella, got a good draw, starting from the No. 12 gate in a field of 20. Mandella is 0-for-6 with Derby runners. Mandella and jockey Mike Smith, who chose Omaha Beach over his other regular mount, Roadster, sat together for the draw and were all smiles after their spot was chosen.
"Perfect. I love it. Didn't want to be down inside. I think I'm in a great spot," said Smith, known as "Big Money Mike" for his rides in important races.
"He's happy," Mandella said, nodding toward Smith, "so you know I'm happy. It's good."
The hard luck story of the draw was War of Will, winner of the Grade II Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, who got the dreaded No. 1 slot. That leaves jockey Tyler Gaffalione the options of gunning for the lead or being buried behind a wall of horses all trying to get position during the first run down the stretch.
Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia said he lengthened the morning-line odds on War of Will accordingly, setting him at 20-1.
Trainer Mark Casse put the best face on things for War of Will, saying, "I think we'll probably be on the lead and play 'catch me if you can' ... I've thought I had great draws before and gotten wiped out so maybe this is the change."
There were some groans from the Baffert camp, too, as Churchill Downs announcer Travis Stone announced that the No. 17 gate, Roadster's draw, is 0-for-40 in the Derby and Game Winner's No. 16 slot is 4-for-47. Both Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster and 2-year-old champion Game Winner, however, have shown the ability to run well from off the pace. Baffert's other entrant, Arkansas Derby runner-up Improbable, drew gate No. 5.
"At the end of the day, you have to have the horse," Baffert said. "If your horse shows up, that's more important. After watching Big Brown gallop from the 20 hole, it really doesn't make a difference."
Big Brown won the 2008 Kentucky Derby from that outside post position as jockey Kent Desormeaux was able to get decent early position behind the leaders and passed them all in the long stretch run.
Battaglia, who has set the morning line for every Derby since 1975, pointed out the line is not a prediction of which horse will win the race but, rather, of how each horse will be bet. Thus, he said, the odds on Improbable, Roadster and Game Winner are longer than they might have been because he feels bettors partial to Baffert horses will split their action among them.
The winner of the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" series, Master Fencer, drew No. 15 and was pegged at 50-1 on the morning line. The 1-2 finishers from the Group 2 UAE Derby in Dubai, Plus Que Parfait and Gray Magician, were installed in gates No. 9 and No. 4, respectively. Battaglia put Plus Que Parfait's odds at 30-1; Gray Magician's, 50-1.
The 21st horse on the Derby list, Bodexpress, needs a defection from field before Friday's scratch deadline to get into the race.
The Kentucky Derby, run at 1 1/4 miles over the Churchill Downs dirt track, is set for 6:46 p.m. Saturday. It will be televised live on NBC-TV and broadcast live and streamed on Horse Racing Radio Network.
Noteworthy:
The public doesn't see it but sometimes there's as much racetrack drama in the morning than in the afternoon. To wit:
* During Tuesday morning's exercise session, Win Win Win, with Julien Pimentel up, hooked up with with trainer Bill Mott's Derby duo of Country House and Tacitus, who were working 5 furlongs. In the stretch, after rider Melanie Williams backed his workmate, Souper Courage, out of the four-horse nonrace, Win Win Win passed the Mott duo nearing the wire.
"I got to watch it many times. It was easy to find because it was all over," Win Win Win's trainer, Mike Trombetta, said of video of the work. All credit to Mel. I told her (via two-way radio) they were coming and she was the one driving the bus. She could have dropped over and messed them up and that's the last thing I wanted to do. She stayed outside and let them through."
* With a Japanese-based horse in the race, Churchill Downs announced Tuesday the Derby will be simulcast live to Japan, where fans will be able to bet into a separate wagering pool. Churchill Downs gets a share of that action, which is an early return on their years-long effort to involve foreign betting interest in the race.
* Spendthrift Farm announced Tuesday it has acquired breeding rights to Omaha Beach. Financial details were not disclosed. Spendthrift owner Wayne Hughes said of the War Front colt: "We believe Omaha Beach is one of the best stallion prospects to come around in recent years and see him as a big part of the future at Spendthrift. He is truly a rare package -- elite looks, pedigree, sire power, speed, class, you name it. He has everything and we feel the best is yet to come for him."
The Kentucky Oaks
While the Derby looks like a wide-open affair, Friday's $1.25 million Grade I Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies boasts a strong favorite in Bellafina. The Quality Road filly has won six of eight starts, three of the wins in Grade I events. She is riding a three-race winning streak as she returns to Churchill Downs, which is the site of her only off-the-board finish, a fourth-place showing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last fall.
The Oaks has a full field of 14 with two also-eligibles. While Bellafinia is 2-1 on Battaglia's morning line, Restless Rider and Champagne Anyone are co-second choices at 6-1.
Restless Rider won last year's Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland and has been the runner-up in the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Grade I Ashland at Keeneland in her most recent start that served as her 2019 debut. Champagne Anyone won the Grade II Gulfstream Park Oaks in her most recent start.
Actually, Battaglia's second-favorite filly, at 5-1, is Dunbar Road. But she lacked the points to get into the race and would need one of the top 14 to withdraw to get into the starting gate.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Jaywalk, seeking her first win as a 3-year-old after two disappointing outings, is 8-1 on the line.
British-born rider Sophie Doyle looks for the biggest win of her career, piloting Grade II Fair Ground Oaks winner Street Band at odds of 15-1. Do not sell either Doyle or her filly short.
Horses, trainers prep for Saturday's Kentucky Derby
Country House, (middle, yellow silks), ridden by Flavien Prat, races down the stretch as Maximum Security, Luis Saez up, seemingly wins (far right). Maximum Security was taken down due to an objection by Country House's rider Flavien Prat. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Prat aboard Country House races into the first turn. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Prat and Country House are draped with the garland of roses after they were declared the winner. It was the first time in the history of the Run for the Roses that a first-place finisher had been disqualified before the race was made official. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Prat pats his mount Country House, after he was announced the winner. Country House went into the race a 65-1 long shot and this was the second win of the horse's career. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Prat sprays champagne on the crowd. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Prat drinks champagne after winning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Trainer Bill Mott holds up the Derby trophy. This is Mott and Pratt's first Kentucky Derby win. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Prat holds up the trophy. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Gentlemen show off their best Derby attire. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Code of Honor was elevated to second and Tacitus to third in the 1 1/4-miles race, run for the third straight year over a wet track. Maximum Security was placed 17th in the field of 19, behind Long Range Toddy, also ruled to have been victimized by the foul. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
The $2 win payout for Country House of $132.40 was the second-biggest in history, behind only Donerail, who started at odds of 91-1 in 1913. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Fantastical, creative {link:hats: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/history/traditions/hats"} are a tradition at the annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., started by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., aiming to emulate high-class European racing events. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Wearing a hat has become a good luck charm for racing fans. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
The red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby in 1904. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
A woman enjoys a traditional Mint Julep before the race. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Members of the United States Military bring in the official roses for the winner. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Race fans look over their racing program before making their bets. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Serengeti Empress, ridden by Jose Ortiz, wins the Kentucky Oaks on Friday. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Ortiz riding Serengeti Empress celebrates after winning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Ortiz throws lilies, the official flower of the race, in the air as he celebrates. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Ortiz rides Serengeti Empress to the win. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Awestruck wins the second race on Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs race track on Friday. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Jockey Corey Lanerie is covered in mud after riding the second race. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Jockeys and horses are lead to the track for the third race. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Racing fans study the racing program for their bets. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Racing fans enjoy mint juleps before the Kentucky Oaks. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Horse racing fans show off their style as they wait for the running of the Kentucky Oaks. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Wearing elaborate hats is a tradition surrounding the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oats races. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
An exercise rider takes his horses to the track for early-morning training May 2 as they prepare for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Improbable had {link:5-1 odds: "https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/2019-kentucky-derby-odds-best-predictions-expert-who-has-hit-9-derby-oaks-doubles-reveals-picks/"} as of Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
A lone racing fan enjoys the calm and silence two days prior to the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
A racing fan with a twin spires hat struggles to keep it straight at Churchill Downs. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
A large effigy of gonzo author and Kentucky Derby fan, the late Hunter S. Thompson poses with racing fans. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Spinoff had 30-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Vekoma had 15-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Steam raises off horses as grooms wash them down. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Vekoma grazes in the barn area. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Maximum Security had 8-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Vekoma tries to pull away from his groom. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Roadster had 5-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Cutting Humor had 30-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful Bodexpress had 30-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
The twin spires at Churchill Downs are reflected in a fan's sunglasses. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Workers prepare the paddock two days prior to the Kentucky Derby. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful War of Will had 15-1 odds Thursday morning. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Racing fans watch Kentucky Derby hopefuls as they exercise on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Omaha Beach gallops on the track during early-morning training as horses and jockeys prepare for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday. The Arkansas Derby winner was {link:installed: "https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2019/04/30/Smiles-abound-as-Kentucky-Derby-favorite-Omaha-Beach-draws-gate-No-12/6411556647783/"} Tuesday as the 4-1 favorite, but was {link:scratched: "https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2019/05/02/Kentucky-Derby-favorite-Omaha-Beach-scratched-with-a-throat-problem/9901556760671/"} from the field after an examination found a throat problem. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Trainer Richard Mandella looks over Omaha Beach after his morning workout. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby hopeful By My Standards gallops on the track during early-morning training. By My Standards {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/by-my-standards"} the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Stakes and the Maiden Special Weight earlier this year. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Maximum Security {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/maximum-security"} the Xpressbet Florida Derby in March. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Tacitus {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/tacitus"} the Road to the Kentucky Derby Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and the Wood Memorial S. Presented by NYRA Bets earlier this year. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Code of Honor {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/code-of-honor"} the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes in March. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Win Win Win gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Spinoff runs the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Cutting Humor gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Kentucky Derby {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/long-range-toddy"} at the Rebel Stakes in March. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Bodexpress reacts to his exercise rider as they walk the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Country House gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Vekoma {link:won: "https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/vekoma"} at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Grooms for By My Standards cleans the horses saddle. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Formerly the Kentucky Derby early favorite Omaha Beach does some early-morning training on Tuesday. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Trainer Richard Mandella talks about former favorite Omaha Beach before his morning workout. Mandella, who was 0-for-6 in the Run for the Roses, said earlier, "I've never had a 3-year-old doing this well this early." Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Plus Que Parfait, winner of the UAE Derby, gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
War of Will takes a turn on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Improbable goes for a run. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Tax gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Haikal gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Roadster gallops on the track. His trainer, Bob Baffert, has won five Kentucky Derbys. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Master Fencer gallops on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Signalman walks on the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Exercise riders clean their equipment after morning workouts. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Tactus walks the barn before his early morning gallop. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Omaha Beach is washed down by his grooms. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas watches his horse run the track. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Omaha Beach stands in his stall before his early-morning run. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Horses train on the track during early-morning workouts as they prepare for the Derby. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Horses train on the track during early-morning workouts. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
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