Derby Draw Follows the Script
The crowd waiting for the Kentucky Derby draw to begin. (Eclipse Sportswire)
The post position draw for the Kentucky Derby unfolded Wednesday like an early scene from a Hollywood movie, with every deserving horse getting close to their ideal post position.
At the very end, with two slots remaining open, it appeared the fleet 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Hansen might be forced to suffer the dreaded inside slot, where he would be forced to deal with the crush of 19 others to his right heading to the first turn.
That fate, however, went to the lone European runner, Daddy Long Legs — a shameless, jingoistic crowd pleaser too predictable to even be comical.
Keeping with the Hollywood theme, D. Wayne Lukas, the elder statesman of this whole thing, got to make a cameo, shaking hands and kissing pretty women down in the front before the draw started. His Optimizer got into the field when Mark Valeski defected, giving the old man his 45th starter. In recent years, Lukas has become a rich, minor character actor, and if he somehow wins — wow, what a story!
Post Position assistant Catherine Jones places Went The Day Well in #13. (Eclipse Sportswire)
The draw was staged inside the Secretariat Lounge somewhere in the belly of the giant Churchill Downs plant, and it is a long and largely stilted affair. When local favorite Dullahan drew the No. 5 post, however, a huge roar went up in the room.
Five picks later, Dullahan’s trainer Dale Romans strolled in from nowhere, smiling, and took a seat. Master of ceremonies John Asher looked down from the podium and said, “Nice to see you Mr. Romans. Good things happen in your absence.”
Calvin Borel’s mount Take Charge Indy drew the three hole, the perfect spot for the renowned rail rider to get to the inside — a plot line as obvious as King Kong falling off the Empire State Building.
The entire show went off without a hitch or a surprise. Tension — particularly with Hansen — was just enough to keep the crowd paying attention. Hollywood likes to build its blockbusters these days in predictable fashion, letting a spectacular climax do all the work to leave them gasping.
We’re moving toward Saturday’s rousing finale in orderly fashion, with the two days of racing beforehand standing in for some pretty good popcorn.
Bob Baffert being interviewed after the Derby draw. (Eclipse Sportswire)
John Scheinman, a long-time writer and editor, covered thoroughbred racing for The Washington Post from 2000-09. He won the Red Smith Kentucky Derby writing contest for best advance in 2007. He is a correspondent for the Thoroughbred Times. Scheinman also has worked extensively in humor writing and sketch comedy. He lives in Washington, DC. More by 
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