LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Well-known owner Mike Repole has frequently encountered misfortune in the Kentucky Derby.
He experienced further ill-fortune this past Saturday when his young horse, Renegade, was assigned the undesirable No. 1 starting gate for the upcoming 152nd edition of the race – a gate from which no Derby victor has emerged since Ferdinand in 1986.
Irrespective of its starting spot, Renegade initially became the betting favorite with odds of 4-1. By Tuesday evening, these odds had adjusted to 5-1.
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Repole, the well-known beverage mogul behind Vitaminwater and Bodyarmor, who also currently oversees the United Football League, holds an 0-for-8 record at the Derby and has seen his favored horse withdraw twice on the eve of the event due to sudden health issues. Being drawn on the inside seems like another significant setback; nevertheless, given Renegade’s customary late-charging approach, jockey Irad Ortiz will likely be compelled to guide him to the rear of the pack to steer clear of the congestion that frequently arises on the initial turn as riders maneuver their steeds for optimal placement.
Last month, Renegade ascended to the forefront of Derby hopefuls after securing a notable victory in the Arkansas Derby for Repole and fellow owners Robert and Lawana Low, surging past the competition on the final turn to cross the finish line four lengths ahead. This presents an opportunity for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has sent a record 65 horses to the Derby, to claim his third triumph.
Repole, for his part, appeared largely unperturbed by Renegade’s unfavorable gate assignment.
Other participants experienced more favorable outcomes in Saturday’s draw for starting positions.
Further Ado, who dominated the Blue Grass Stakes by a margin of 11½ lengths, will commence from the 18th post position guided by 54-year-old jockey John Velazquez, a three-time victor of this event. Spendthrift Farm owns Further Ado; the farm had anticipated being present with Ted Noffey, last year’s two-year-old champion, who was compelled to withdraw from the Derby contention this spring due to an ailment.
Following those two, the leading three finishers from the Florida Derby — Commandment, The Puma, and Chief Wallabee — are also expected to receive considerable backing from gamblers. Commandment is set to begin from the 6th post, The Puma was allocated the 9th, and Chief Wallabee landed in the 12th slot.
Bill Mott, who triumphed in this competition last year with Sovereignty and with Country House in 2019, is the trainer for Chief Wallabee. His son, Riley Mott, is participating in his inaugural Derby with two entries: Albus, the Wood Memorial victor, and Incredibolt, the Virginia Derby winner.
“He has been present on this stage previously, has observed me, and comprehends my perspectives on all potential occurrences,” stated Bill Mott. “He possesses a certain level of familiarity with this environment, notwithstanding this being his initial participation.”
Bob Baffert fields two contenders, spearheaded by Potente, a yearling acquired for $2.4 million who secured second place in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4. Potente was assigned the 14th post position.
Baffert is aiming to formally secure a record seventh Derby win – a feat he seemingly achieved in 2021 with Medina Spirit, only for that triumph to be revoked following a positive test for betamethasone, a substance Baffert asserted was administered for a dermatological ailment but is prohibited in a horse’s system on race day.
The aforementioned event resulted in Churchill Downs imposing a two-year suspension on Baffert from the racing venue, which subsequently extended to a three-year prohibition when Baffert declined to acknowledge culpability. Eventually, a resolution was reached allowing Baffert to return last year with Citizen Bull, who placed 15th.
Given that the starting gate accommodates 20 horses, qualification for the Kentucky Derby is decided through a framework allowing horses to gather points in any of 50 designated preparatory competitions globally, dating back to the previous autumn.
Trainer Steve Asmussen pulled Chip Honcho out of the race on Saturday morning to focus on the Preakness, thereby creating an opening for a second Baffert participant, Litmus Test, who secured the 4th post.
A quartet of horses — Great White, Ocelli, Robusta, and Corona de Oro — are designated as reserves, in the event of any withdrawals before the final field is confirmed on Friday. Such occurrences are commonplace during Derby week, notably in 2022 when Rich Strike gained entry at the eleventh hour and emerged as one of the biggest longshots to ever claim victory at 80-1 odds.
Initial Kentucky Derby Betting Lines, Posts 1 through 20
(betting figures current as of Wednesday night)
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Silent Tactic (38-1)WITHDRAWN
