The lightly raced Justify drew post seven to confirm his place as favourite for Saturday’s 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

“That’s a good spot,” said trainer Bob Baffert, who will be seeking his fourth Derby win.

“We didn’t want to be in the one hole and we didn’t want to be 20. Seven is fine, but he still has to break well.

“If he doesn’t break well, it doesn’t matter what hole he’s in. He’s lightly raced and he has to leave there running.”

Justify is undefeated in his three career appearances to date, including a sound defeat of Derby rival Bolt d’Oro (post 11) in the GI Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

Baffert is expecting a contentious renewal of the ‘Run for the Roses’.

“It’s one of the toughest Derbys that I’ve ever seen and one of the best draws that I’ve ever seen,” Baffert said.

“My excuses are really dwindling, so now I’ve got to come with the horse.”

Justify is one of two unbeaten colts in the race, joining 6-1 chance Magnum Moon. He will break from the auxiliary gate in stall 16 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher has four horses in the Derby and three will break wide from the auxiliary gate, with G2 Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy in post 19 and G2 Wood Memorial winner Vino Rosso in post 18.

Audible will be his lone runner in the main gate, having drawn post five. The GI Florida Derby winner is 8-1 on the morning line.

“Ideally, I wouldn’t want three of my four horses in the auxiliary gate but it’s horse racing and that’s what happens,” Pletcher said.

“In the end, it’s out of my control. Magnum Moon and Noble Indy have tactical speed, so in a best-case scenario, they’ll be able to get good spots despite the post.

“This is very much a rider’s race and I’ve got four of the best riders around.

“We’ll hope for a good break for our horses and then see what happens. It figures to be a very interesting race.”

UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn was made the 5-1 second choice on the morning line after drew gate 14.

KENTUCKY DERBY BETTING: 3/1 Justify; 5/1 Mendelssohn; 6/1 Magnum Moon; Audible, Bolt D’Oro; 12/1 Good Magic; Vino Rosso; 20/1 Hofburg; 30/1 Free Drop Billy; Promises Fulfilled; Flameaway; My Boy Jack; Enticed; Solomini; Noble Indy; 50/1 Firenze Fire; Lone Sailor; Bravazo; Instilled Regard; Combatant; Blended Citizen.

FINAL FIELD – POST DRAW

1. Firenze Fire - Trainer: Jason Servis/Jockey: Paco Lopez

2. Free Drop Billy - Dale Romans/Robby Albarado

3. Promises Fulfilled - Dale Romans/Corey Lanerie

4. Flameaway - Mark Casse/Jose Lezcano

5. Audible - Todd Pletcher/Javier Castellano

6. Good Magic - Chad Brown/Jose Ortiz

7. Justify - Bob Baffert/Mike Smith

8. Lone Sailor - Tom Amoss/James Graham

9. Hofburg - Bill Mott/Irad Ortiz Jr.

10. My Boy Jack - Keith Desormeaux/Kent Desormeaux

11. Bolt d’Oro - Mick Ruiz/Victor Espinoza

12. Enticed - Kieran McLaughlin/Junior Alvarado

13. Bravazo - D. Wayne Lukas/Luis Contreras

14. Mendelssohn - Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore

15. Instilled Regard - Jerry Hollendorfer/Drayden Van Dyke

16. Magnum Moon - Todd Pletcher/Luis Saez

17. Solomini - Bob Baffert/Flavien Prat

18. Vino Rosso - Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez

19. Noble Indy - Todd Pletcher/Florent Geroux

20. Combatant - Steve Asmussen/Ricardo Santana Jr.

Also Eligible

Blended Citizen - Doug O’Neill/ Kyle Frey Odds: 50-1

(Blended Citizen gains a start should a horse be scratched before 9am Friday)