Kentucky Derby post positions: Forte draws No. 15, favored to win at 3-1 odds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The drama didn’t last long for the Kentucky Derby draw, with favorite Forte’s name picked first in front of a packed Aristides Lounge at Churchill Downs. The best of a trio of talented horses for trainer Todd Pletcher, Forte will break from the 15th post in the 20-horse field, tabbed the morning line 3-1 favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.

Another Pletcher horse, Tapit Trice, is Battaglia’s second pick at 5-1 from the five position, and Louisville native Brad Cox’s Angel of Empire, in post position No. 14, is the third choice at 8-1. Pletcher has entered more horses in the Derby than any other trainer — 62 in all — but has just two first across the wires to show for it, with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017. This year, he steps into the spotlight, not just because he has the two best horses, but because he’s the most well-known trainer in Louisville once again this year.

Bob Baffert is the six-time Derby winner with an asterisk, something this city that lost a basketball national championship to an asterisk can relate to. He technically has sent a horse across the wire first seven times but the last, Medina Spirit, tested positive in 2021 with a doping result that also earned Baffert a two-year ban from Churchill Downs. This is year two of that ban. (Side note: Cox wound up the beneficiary of Baffert’s transgression, his horse Mandaloun was eventually named the 2021 Derby winner.)

But among the items of interest from this draw: Reincarnate at 50-to-1. Technically trained by Tim Yakteen, Reincarnate was a Baffert horse until February. But once a federal judge denied Baffert’s request to have his exile case heard in court, Baffert turned the horse over to Yakteen. Baffert’s assistant trainer, Yakteen, does have his own horse in the Derby — 10-to-1 Practical Move, who drew the 10 post.

Also of interest are the two Japanese horses out wide on the field: Derma Sotogake from the 17 and Continuaar in the 20th position. Only three Japanese horses have entered the Derby, and none have fared well.

The age-old tradition of the draw, technically a means to an end to get the field out of the starting gate, has grown to fill the events calendar of Derby week. Once reserved for people attached to the horses and a few media members, it is now a full-blown spectacle. The 50 or so round tables set up to house the Oaks and Derby draw participants weren’t nearly enough to contain the crowd of swells and fans.

People stuffed to the edges of the room at least two deep, all there to watch as one man shake around the post position numbers like Yahtzee dice and another drew the assigned horse’s name out of what could double as a secret wizard box while a woman made like Vanna White hung replica silks in their proper positions on an accompanying board. The whole thing felt like a wedding without a bride and groom … and odds.

1. Hit Show (30/1)
2. Verifying (15/1)
3. Two Phil’s (12/1)
4. Confidence Game (20/1)
5. Tapit Trice (5/1)
6. Kingsbarns (12/1)
7. Reincarnate (50/1)
8. Mage (15/1)
9. Skinner (20/1)
10. Practical Move (10/1)
11. Disarm (30/1)
12. Jace’s Road (15/1)
13. Sun Thunder (30/1)
14. Angel of Empire (8/1)
15. Forte (3/1)
16. Raise Cain (15/1)
17. Derma Sotogake (10/1)
18. Rocket Can (15/1)
19. Lord Miles (30/1)
20. Continuar (50/1)