Pimlico, 15 May 2008

Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was installed as the 1-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes during the post-position draw ceremony on Wednesday.

The Richard Dutrow-trained colt, who became the first horse in 79 years to win the Derby from the No. 20 post, drew the No. 7 post in the middle of the 13-horse field entered Wednesday in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico.

Michael Iavarone, co-owner, said after the draw was revealed: “Maybe he’ll get to save some ground for the first time.

“I think if he gets a clean trip, I don’t know of anybody who can run with him. I wouldn’t say we’re on the inside. I think we’ve drawn in the right spot. I wouldn’t want to have drawn on the inside in the 1, 2 or 3. In Post 20, he was kind of forced into a position where he had to stalk horses. Now drawing post 7, if nobody wants to go with him he can bounce out of there and take the race on his own on the lead. It gives Kent (Desormeaux) a lot more options. (Trainer) Rick (Dutrow) is elated with the 7. He really thought we’d get post 13 somehow.”

Arkansas Derby winner Gayego, who finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby, was rated second by Maryland Jockey Club linemaker Frank Carulli at 8-1 from his No. 12 post.

His trainer Paulo Lobo said: “It’s a little outside, but what can you do? It’s better than 19. Let’s see how the horses are going to break. Everyone’s going to want a good position into the first turn, so it’s going to depend on how they break.”

The Todd Pletcher trained Behindatthebar, who captured the Lexington Stakes on his most recent start, drew the No. 5 post and was rated third at 10-1.

Co owner Don Stanley said: “We like our post position. Our horse has no speed, so he’ll have to go back. He’ll come running, so the post position is good. We should do fine from this post.”