Derby favorite Brother Derek draws No. 18

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – His role as the Kentucky Derby favorite confirmed, Brother Derek needs only to figure out how to win from the far, far outside.

The front-running colt was installed as the 3-1 favorite Wednesday after drawing the No. 18 post position. Only one horse has won the Derby from that spot – Gato Del Sol in 1982.

“How can I complain about my post?” trainer Dan Hendricks said. “We’re here. This is the greatest race in the world. And the 18 hole is not too bad the way the speed is set up in the race.”

Unbeaten this year and winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Brother Derek will be ridden by Alex Solis in a crowded field of 20 3-year-olds. In California, Brother Derek won easily while racing on the lead against small fields. In his only race with a large field, the bay colt finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile leaving from the No. 13 post.

But with expected speed horses Sinister Minister and Sharp Humor starting inside Brother Derek, Hendricks said his colt will simply follow 4-1 co-second favorite Lawyer Ron, who drew the No. 17 post.

“We should be able to follow Lawyer Ron,” said Hendricks, paralyzed from the waist down because of a motocross accident in 2004. “With his high cruising speed, Alex should be able to set him up where ever he wants to be. If it rains, the outside post will benefit us even more.”

Undefeated Barbaro, who drew the No. 8 post, was also 4-1.

Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia made up his mind Brother Derek would be the favorite following the Santa Anita Derby.

“I think the California horses were very strong this year,” Battaglia said. “He won impressively.”

Lawyer Ron comes into the Derby with a six-race winning streak.