LOUISVILLE, KY. | Dialed In was made the early 4-1 favorite for the Kentucky Derby, with Uncle Mo as the second choice in a full field of 20 horses.
Trained by two-time Derby winner Nick Zito, Dialed In drew the No. 8 post Wednesday. Ten horses have won from that position, the last being 50-1 shocker Mine That Bird two years ago. Ill-fated Barbaro also broke from the No. 8 post to win in 2006.
Uncle Mo drew the No. 18 post. He’s being treated for a gastrointestinal infection. Owner Mike Repole has said if the colt isn’t sufficiently recovered, then he won’t run in the 1 1/4-mile Derby.
Uncle Mo jogged a mile around the dirt track at Churchill Downs on Wednesday and later stood in the starting gate to familiarize himself with the surroundings.
Only one horse since 1900 has come out of the No. 18 hole to win and that was Gato Del Sol in 1982.
Repole’s other colt, Stay Thirsty, landed in the No. 4 post and is 20-1 on the morning line set by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.
Todd Pletcher trains both Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty. He ended an 0-for-24 skid in the Derby last year when Super Saver won from the No. 4 post.
Nehro was the third choice at 6-1. The other 17 horses were all listed at double-digit odds.
Arkansas Derby winner Archarcharch drew the unfavorable No. 1 post along the inside rail. That position did in last year’s Derby favorite Lookin At Lucky, who was blocked behind horses and finished sixth for trainer Bob Baffert.
The No. 1 post was the last position revealed during the draw, creating suspense until the very end for nervous owners, trainers and jockeys who didn’t want to be trapped down there.
The draw was a traditional pill pull in which horses’ entries are pulled at the same time as a numbered pill to determine what stall a horse will break from the starting gate.
Archarcharch and Baffert’s Midnight Interlude were the co-fourth choices.
The other trainer with two starters is Mike Maker, who will saddle Twinspired and Derby Kitten.
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