• Journalism was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby and got a desirable post position — No. 8 — during Saturday night’s draw.
• Bob Baffert’s pair of contenders are on the inside, with Citizen Bull at No. 1 and Rodriguez at No. 4.

It was a roller-coaster Saturday for Journalism trainer Michael McCarthy, but he finished it with some good news during the evening.

Journalism was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs and got a desirable post position — No. 8 — during Saturday night’s draw.

“I’m very pleased,” McCarthy said. “What’s not to like?”

Saturday started with McCarthy deciding to delay Journalism’s final pre-Kentucky Derby breeze until Sunday because of an off track at Churchill Downs.

Perhaps not a big deal in the long run, but no trainer likes to break from routine — especially seven days before the Kentucky Derby.

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“That track out there is a little wetter than I’d like it to be,” McCarthy said in explaining his decision to delay until Sunday.

A full field of 20 — plus one also-eligible in Baeza — was entered for the Kentucky Derby, which has a post time of approximately 6:57 p.m. Saturday and will be televised live by NBC.

Baeza can enter the field if another horse scratches by 9 a.m. Friday.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers from Saturday’s draw:

Winners

Journalism — The No. 8 post has produced nine winners since the starting gate was first used in 1930. Mage (2023) was the most recent winner from the No. 8 hole.

Journalism will have speed horses to his inside in the No. 4 post (Rodriguez) and to his outside at No. 12 (East Avenue).

“There’s always plenty of early speed in the Derby,” McCarthy said, “but we have a fast horse, too.”

Jockey Umberto Rispoli agreed.

“I’m actually really happy and confident,” he said. “We know when the gates open it’s another race like the others. I’m just happy to be on this journey and confident on my horse.”

American Promise — The No. 5 post has produced a record 10 winners, most recently with Always Dreaming in 2017.

Losers

Bob Baffert — His pair of contenders are on the inside, with Citizen Bull at No. 1 and Rodriguez at No. 4.

The No. 1 post hasn’t produced a winner since Ferdinand in 1986.

“Once you get the 1 hole, I don’t have to give instructions on what (jockey Martin Garcia) is going to have to do,” Baffert said. “He’s going to have to leave there running, but the horse wants to do that anyway. But I would have liked to have been a little outside.”

Sandman — Horses breaking from the No. 17 post are 0 for 45 all time, some daunting history for the Mark Casse trainee.

Tiztastic — The No. 14 post hasn’t produced a winner since Carry Back in 1961.

More horse racing: Tappan Street out of 2025 Kentucky Derby field: Kenny McPeek-trained Render Judgment in

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

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