California Chrome made 5-2 Derby favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - California Chrome was made the early 5-2 favorite for the 140th Kentucky Derby, with Hopportunity the second choice in the full field of 20 horses.

Trained by 77-year-old Art Sherman, California Chrome drew the No. 5 post on Wednesday. Eight horses have won from there, most recently Funny Cide in 2003. Sherman could become the oldest trainer to win the Derby, surpassing Charlie Whittingham's mark of 76 when Sunday Silence won in 1989.

California Chrome comes into the Derby having won his last four starts by a combined 24 lengths.

Hopportunity, who lost to California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby, drew the No. 11 post and is 6-1 for the race Saturday at Churchill Downs. He's trained by Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner with two starters.

Wicked Strong, named for the victims of last year's Boston Marathon bombings, is the 8-1 third choice and will break from the 20th post on the far outside.

California Chrome, Hopportunity and Wicked Strong were the only horses listed at single digits by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.

Danza is the 10-1 fourth choice and drew the No. 4 post. He's one of four horses trained by Todd Pletcher. The others are: Intense Holiday, 12-1; Vinceremos, 30-1; and We Miss Artie, 50-1.

Mike Maker will saddle a trio of horses: General a Rod, 15-1; Harry's Holiday, 50-1; and Vicar's In Trouble, a 30-1 shot that drew the dreaded No. 1 post. Rosie Napravnik will be aboard that horse trying to become the first female jockey to win the Derby. She was fifth last year with Mylute, the highest finish by a woman in history.

The other 50-1 shot is Commanding Curve, who will break from the No. 17 post.

The 21st horse on the points list is Pablo Del Monte, an also eligible who would need a defection before 9 a.m. Friday, when Derby wagering opens, to get into the $2.2 million race.

Post time is 6:32 p.m. EDT Saturday.