Arazi drew the No. 18 post position today in a 19-horse field for Saturday's Kentucky Derby and was named the 6-5 early favorite.
"I guess it's better than 19," co-owner Allen Paulson said.A.P. Indy, winner of five of six lifetime starts including the Santa Anita Derby, was the second choice at 7-2 after drawing the No. 16 post position. Technology, winner of the Florida Derby, drew the No. 2 post and was made the 8-1 third choice.
The main gate at Churchill Downs holds 14 horses, so the five horses outside that post position, including Arazi and A.P. Indy, will have to start in the auxiliary gate.
The French-based Arazi will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, who rode him last Nov. 2 when he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in his only other U.S. start. He was said to be not troubled by the mount's post position.
"Pat Valenzuela said this horse has enough kick. He was not concerned about the post position at all," Paulson said.
Eddie Delahoussaye has the ride aboard A.P. Indy, while Jerry Bailey will ride Technology.
The field in post-position order, with jockeys and odds: Al Sabin, Corey Nakatani, 20-1; Technology; Snappy Landing, Jorge Velasquez, 10-1; Casual Lies, Gary Stevens, 20-1; Thyer, Christy Roach, 10-1; Devil His Due, Mike Smith, 15-1; Pistols and Roses, Jacinto Vasquez, 15-1; Conte Di Savoya, Shane Sellers, 30-1; Sir Pinder, Randy Romero, 10-1; Lil E. Tee, Pat Day, 20-1; West by West, Jean-Luc Samyn, 10-1; Pine Bluff, Craig Perret, 12-1; Ecstatic Ride, Julie Krone, 10-1; My Luck Runs North, Ricardo Lopez, 10-1; Dr Devious, Chris McCarron, 15-1; A.P. Indy; Dance Floor, Chris Antley, 20-1; Arazi, and Disposal, Alex Solis, 10-1.
All starters will carry 126 pounds. If all 19 go to post, the race will be worth $984,800, with $734,800 going to the winner.
Disposal, Ecstatic Ride, My Luck Runs North, Sir Pinder, Snappy Landing, Thyer and West by West are part of the mutuel field. Al Sabin and Dance Floor are part of a D. Wayne Lukas-trained entry.