Wed Apr 30 15:21:22 2008

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Kentucky Derby field set, morning-line revealed

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Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - The 20 thoroughbreds that will run in the 134th Kentucky Derby on Saturday have been set after a total of 24 were entered. This morning the order that post positions will be picked was determined with four horses not making the final cut.

Florida Derby winner Big Brown will not have his post position drawn until 15 other horses have been set. Track handicapper Mike Battaglia has made Big Brown the 3-1 morning-line favorite.

The first horse to be drawn into the starting gate will be Gotham Stakes champ Visionaire. He will be followed by Big Truck, Colonel John, Z Fortune and Pyro.

Three-year-old filly Eight Belles will be the sixth horse to have its post position chosen. Her trainer Larry Jones has said that she will run in the Kentucky Derby if she gets a good draw. Eight Belles was entered on Tuesday for Friday's Kentucky Oaks, from which she now will likely be scratched.

The four three-year-olds that were shutout from this year's Run for the Roses are Halo Najib, Tomcito, El Gato Malo and Kentucky Bear.

Here is the order that post positions will be chosen with the morning-line: Visionaire 20-1, Big Truck 50-1, Colonel John 4-1, Z Fortune 15-1, Pyro 6-1, Eight Belles 20-1, Anak Nakal 30-1, Court Vision 20-1, Z Humor 30-1, Monba 15-1, Smooth Air 20-1, Adriano 30-1, Bob Black Jack 20-1, Denis of Cork 20-1, Cowboy Cal 20-1, Big Brown 3-1, Tale of Ekati 15-1, Cool Coal Man 20-1, Recapturetheglory 20-1 and Gayego 15-1.

The Kentucky Derby post position draw program will begin at 5 p.m.(et) on ESPN2.