Orb draws No. 1 post for Preakness; will be a 1-1 favorite

Kentucky Derby winner Orb drew the No. 1 post and was named the 1-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.

Orb trainer Shug McGaughey said he didn’t think the rail position would affect his horse.

“Not going to say I would have picked it. Don’t think it matters,” McGaughey said.

He’ll face eight competitors, starting with second favorite Mylute. With Rosie Napravnik aboard, Mylute finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and is the top returning challenger for Orb. He will leave from the No. 5 post and is 5-1 on the morning line.

Goldencents was placed in the No. 2 post with 8-1 odds. The gelding is trained by Doug O’Neill, who won here last year with I’ll Have Another and has worked this week to prepare the 17th-place finisher at the Derby to finally run his race.

D. Wayne Lukas will have a chance for his 14th Triple Crown win and sixth Preakness victory, as he enters Oxbow (No. 6 post, 15-1 odds), Will Take Charge (No. 7 post, 12-1 odds) and Titletown Five (No. 3 post, 30-1 odds), a newcomer who brings the most significant speed.

Departing, the Illinois Derby winner who skipped the Kentucky Derby, is the most highly thought of newcomer by Pimlico handicapper Frank Carulli, who is working his final Preakness. He has Departing, who will leave from the No. 4 gate, as a 6-1 choice.

Itsmyluckyday, 15th at Churchill Downs, will start from No. 9 and is a 10-1 choice with new jockey John Velazquez aboard.

Trainer Bob Baffert can also win his sixth Preakness, but his Govenor Charlie (No. 8 post) faces 12-1 odds.