BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LOUISVILLE -- New format. Same bottleneck.
When the Kentucky Derby draws for post position today (5 p.m., ESPN), it will break with tradition and adopt its version of the shot clock. Rather than a random draw, Churchill Downs officials will draw the names of each horse, then give that horse's representatives 60 seconds to pick a post.
But after a surprisingly small field of 13 last year, the Derby will return to its familiar swollen state, boasting 15-17 entrants. Last year's total was the lowest in 18 years. The two previous years, 19 horses ran each time.
"When it's over, you'll look back and say, "Why did this horse or that horse run?' " trainer Bob Baffert said. "But until the race, it's hard to know who has a chance. Everybody deserves their shot."
Baffert, who won the Derby last year with Silver Charm, will send expected favorite Indian Charlie and likely fourth-choice Real Quiet to the Derby Saturday. He likes the new post-position change.
"I think it's good," he said. "But if you draw a high number (post position), it's still the same problem."
Because horses win less often from outside posts, the usual suspense of the draw remains. After the order of selection is drawn, representatives will have 10 minutes to discuss which posts to target.
"It'll be exciting," said Nick Zito, who trains Halory Hunter. "There will surely be strategy involved."
Zito will let Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino, who owns Halory Hunter, pick the post. They will huddle beforehand. The posts Zito covets, in order of preference, are Nos. 4, 5, 7 and 6.
"You still need a good post," Zito said. "I've been fortunate to always get a good one to this point."
Said Bill Mott, trainer of Favorite Trick: "It's still all the luck of the draw. It could turn out worse for the trainer this way. Sometimes you're better off with what they give you."
The 15 horses which have committed to run Saturday are Artax, Basic Trainee, Cape Town, Chilito, Favorite Trick, Halory Hunter, Hanuman Highway, Indian Charlie, Nationalore, Old Trieste, Parade Ground, Real Quiet, Robinwould, Rock and Roll, and Victory Gallop.
Owners of Smolderin Heart and Yarrow Brae were still deliberating Tuesday night.
Yarrow Brae finished second in the Derby Trial last Saturday, and Smolderin Heart won the Lone Star Derby on April 19.
"It's another strong field," Baffert said. "When you've got an unbeaten horse (Indian Charlie), a Horse of the Year (Favorite Trick) and all these other late-chargers, this race will offer something for everyone."
