(Reuters) – Zandon was the early 3-1 favorite to win the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday after drawing the number 10 post in Monday’s post-position draw ceremony.
The three-year-old colt, who will be ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, stormed to victory at last month’s Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes to qualify for the first leg of the Triple Crown and has been impressive in recent workouts.
Prat will be seeking a second Derby victory after winning aboard Country House in 2019.
Derby points leader Epicenter is second favorite at 7-2 after drawing the number three post in the 20-horse race.
Messier, who will be ridden by three-time Derby champion John Velazquez, will break from gate six and is third favorite at 8-1.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Mo Dongegal (10-1) drew the rail and while in the past that was considered a disadvantage, the new starting gate gives the horse more room to navigate at the outset of the race. Pletcher is a two-time Derby winner.
Monday’s draw was notable for the absence of six-time Derby champion trainer Bob Baffert, who was suspended after last year’s winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned substance and was stripped of the title.
Baffert has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
Messier is one of the four horses Baffert transferred to other trainers in light of his suspension and is being trained by Tim Yakteen.
Saturday’s $3 million ‘Run for the Roses’ is expected to play out in front of more than 150,000 horse racing fans in Louisville, Kentucky.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles)
