Kentucky Derby 2016 Contenders: Favorites, Lineup Odds After Post Positions Draw
The post position draw for the 2016 Kentucky Derby took place on Wednesday, accompanied by the release of the morning-line odds ahead of Saturday's race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
As expected, Nyquist was declared the No. 1 favorite in the 142nd Run for the Roses, drawing the 13th post position with 3-1 morning-line odds. Exaggerator followed as the second favorite at 8-1 and projected runner-up from the maximum field of 20.
Below is a listing of the complete post positions for the opening leg of the Triple Crown:
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| 1 | Trojan Nation | Patrick Gallagher | Aaron T. Gryder | 50-1 |
| 2 | Suddenbreakingnews | Donnie K. Von Hemel | Luis Quinonez | 20-1 |
| 3 | Creator | Steven M. Asmussen | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 10-1 |
| 4 | Mo Tom | Thomas M. Amoss | Corey J. Lanerie | 20-1 |
| 5 | Gun Runner | Steven M. Asmussen | Florent Geroux | 10-1 |
| 6 | My Man Sam | Chad C. Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 20-1 |
| 7 | Oscar Nominated | Michael J. Maker | Julien R. Leparoux | 50-1 |
| 8 | Lani | Mikio Matsunaga | Yutaka Take | 30-1 |
| 9 | Destin | Todd A. Pletcher | Javier Castellano | 15-1 |
| 10 | Whitmore | Ron Moquett | Victor Espinoza | 20-1 |
| 11 | Exaggerator | J. Keith Desormeaux | Kent J. Desormeaux | 8-1 |
| 12 | Tom's Ready | Dallas Stewart | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 30-1 |
| 13 | Nyquist | Doug F. O'Neill | Mario Gutierrez | 3-1 |
| 14 | Mohaymen | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Junior Alvarado | 10-1 |
| 15 | Outwork | Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | 15-1 |
| 16 | Shagaf | Chad C. Brown | Joel Rosario | 20-1 |
| 17 | Mor Spirit | Bob Baffert | Gary L. Stevens | 12-1 |
| 18 | Majesto | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | 30-1 |
| 19 | Brody's Cause | Dale L. Romans | Luis Saez | 12-1 |
| 20 | Danzing Candy | Clifford W. Sise Jr. | Mike E. Smith | 15-1 |
| Also Eligible | Laoban | Eric J. Guillot | Jose Lezcano | — |
| Also Eligible | Cherry Wine | Dale L. Romans | Robby Albarado | — |
Nyquist has rightly been touted as the horse to beat leading up to the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, with seven wins in as many career races.
Nyquist's trainer Doug O'Neill said before the post position draw that he wanted anything from No. 10 and out, per BloodHorse.com's Ron Mitchell—which is precisely what happened.
David Grening of the Daily Racing Form noted that the last time someone won the Kentucky Derby from Nyquist's post was 2004:
This will also be the toughest, deepest competition Nyquist has ever gone up against, not to mention the furthest distance he's traveled at 1 1/4 miles. The same is true for all the other top contenders, though—several of whom have failed to best Nyquist in prior outings.
Until Nyquist's latest triumph at the Florida Derby, Mohaymen had won five straight to start his career, only to stumble and finish fourth at Gulfstream Park.
Mohaymen has more than his resume to justify highlighting him over the other 10-1 co-third favorites in Arkansas Derby winner Creator and Louisiana Derby champion Gun Runner.
Based on his prior consistency and stupendous pedigree featuring Triple Crown champions Seattle Slew and Secretariat as relatives, there's reason to believe Mohaymen's disappointing Florida Derby finish was more of a fluke than an omen of his Kentucky Derby outlook.
Jockey Junior Alvarado was pleased with Mohaymen's 14th post position:
To be fair to Gun Runner, BloodHorse.com's Steve Haskin outlined how the horse has an advantageous post in terms of avoiding potential early traffic problems:
It's no surprise the morning-line odds hold Exaggerator in high regard. His 6 1/2-length win at the Santa Anita Derby on a sloppy track showed off his strength and stamina, which are top qualities for anyone who wants to grace the winner's circle at Churchill Downs.
Unless he was pinned against the rail in the No. 1 post position, Nyquist was in all likelihood going to be the favorite regardless of where he lined up.
Among the sleepers to watch are Mor Spirit and Danzing Candy, mainly because of the jockeys who will be in the irons.
Hall of Famer and three-time Kentucky Derby champion Gary Stevens will be aboard Mor Spirit, who's also trained by Bob Baffert, overseer of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Mike Smith has won all three Triple Crown races and gets the mount for Danzing Candy, the San Felipe Stakes victor.
Danzing Candy had won three straight starts before finishing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby and is more of a speed horse. His Churchill Downs starting post of No. 20 will therefore benefit him, and he shouldn't be discounted for his finish at Santa Anita Park in a race that also featured Mor Spirit as the runner-up.
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