Kentucky Derby (G1) draw goes well for team Baffert

Tuesday | May 01, 2018

Tuesday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) post position draw always has its tense moments, but Bob Baffert was very happy with the outcome for his two colts Justify and Solomini, who drew posts 7 and 17, respectively.

“That’s a good spot. We didn’t want to be in the one-hole and we didn’t want to be 20. Seven is fine but he still has to break well. If he doesn’t break well it doesn’t matter what hole he’s in,” Baffert said of Justify’s draw. “I was still in the parking lot when it happened so I didn’t get a chance to fret. I walked in and saw Justify seven and was like, ‘I’ll take that.’”

Justify, the 3-1 morning line favorite, has gotten most of the pre-race attention, but Solomini has the credentials to be a big factor as well. “I have Solomini in there to pick up the pieces in case things fall apart up front. It’s nice to have a couple more weapons,” added Baffert.

Justify has won all three of starts in spectacular fashion and is attempting to become the first horse to win the Derby without making a start at age two since Apollo in 1882. Solomini, meanwhile has plenty of 2-year-old experience, with a trio of Grade 1 placings as a juvenile, and also placed in both the Rebel S. (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) this year.

Mike Smith will ride Justify, with Flavien Prat on Solomini. 

A win by either colt would give Baffert his fifth Kentucky Derby victory. His four wins, which is second-most all-time, tied with D. Wayne Lukas and Henry Thompson, came with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), War Emblem (2002) and American Pharoah (2015).

 

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