Wed Apr 30 12:11:10 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Kentucky Derby field set, post draw awaits

---

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.

Likely favorite Big Brown, winner of the Florida Derby, will not have his post position drawn until 15 other horses have been set. 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 complete order that post positions will be chosen: Visionaire, Big Truck, Colonel John, Z Fortune, Pyro, Eight Belles, Anak Nakal, Court Vision, Z Humor, Monba, Smooth Air, Adriano, Bob Black Jack, Denis of Cork, Cowboy Cal, Big Brown, Tale of Ekati, Cool Coal Man, Recapturetheglory and Gayego.

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