Trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Mike Smith, a pair of Hall of Famers who will team up Saturday in an attempt to win the 145th Kentucky Derby with morning-line favorite Omaha Beach, were understandably pleased when they drew the enviable No. 12 hole Tuesday morning during the post-position draw.
Bob Baffert, who will try to win a record-tying sixth Derby when he sends out Improbable, Game Winner and Roadster, didnt foresee any problems after his trio drew the Nos. 5, 16 and 17 post positions, respectively, during the proceedings at Churchill Downs.
The one man who should have been despondent was trainer Mark Casse, whose War of Will drew the dreaded rail for the 1 1/4-mile race. No horse has won the Derby from the No. 1 post since Ferdinand turned the trick in 1986 under the guidance of the great Bill Shoemaker.
Casse buried his head in his hands when the draw was first announced, but later he took his bad luck in stride. Like most of the trainers Saturday, Casse will be looking for his first Derby victory, and his chances werent helped by the draw. But rather than cry about misfortune, the 58-year-old trainer opted to take an optimistic view.
“At least we have the shortest way around,” he joked.
Casse thought he had a big shot at Derby success two years ago when he trained Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, who got a horrendous trip and wound up fourth. Then this year, War of Will was favored to win the Louisiana Derby, but he strained a muscle during the race and finished ninth.
It appeared Lady Luck might finally have smiled on Casse last Saturday morning when his War Front colt showed hes back in peak form by turning in a bullet 4-furlong work in 47.60. But then came the Derby draw and the initial reaction of despair before he regrouped and put a positive spin on his predicament.
“It could be worse, I think,” he said. “Our horse is really on his game, so hell come away from there running. Well probably be on the lead. I think well probably be on the lead and play catch me if you can. And you know if we come away from there like he normally does, were going to come away from there running.”
Casse has been around the sport long enough to know how these things work.
“Ive thought I had great draws before and gotten wiped out, so maybe this is the change,” he said.
Meanwhile, Omaha Beach, tabbed as the 4-1 morning-line favorite, couldnt have drawn any better. Hes on the outside of all the other speed on paper and, if he breaks alertly, should be able to vie for the lead if the pace is too slow or sit back just off the leaders if War of Will, Improbable, Maximum Security or Cutting Humor carve out leads.
“Perfect. I love it,” said Smith, who broke from the No. 7 hole last year aboard Triple Crown winner Justify. “Didnt want to be down inside. I think Im in a great spot.”
Said Mandella, whos shown supreme confidence in Omaha Beach since he won a division of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March: “Hes happy (nodding toward Smith), so you know Im happy. Its good.”
Baffert, who watched Lookin At Lucky struggle to finish sixth in the 2010 Kentucky Derby while breaking from the rail, was relieved after the draw was completed.
“Anything but the one or two, Im fine with that,” he said.
Horses breaking from the No. 17 post, which Roadster drew, are 0-for-40, but Baffert knows all about curses. Justify broke the Apollo jinx last year when he became the first Derby winner since 1882 to win the race without running as a 2-year-old.
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