Orb installed as 7-2 favorite for Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Orb has been made the early 7-2 favorite for the Kentucky Derby, with undefeated Verrazano the second choice in a full field of 20 horses.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, Orb drew the No. 16 post on Wednesday. Four horses have won from there, most recently Animal Kingdom two years ago. McGaughey is in racing’s Hall of Fame, but the 62-year-old trainer has yet to win the Derby in six previous tries.

Verrazano drew the No. 14 post and is 4-1 for Saturday’s race at Churchill Downs. The colt is one of a record-tying five starters trained by Todd Pletcher.

Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents is the third choice at 5-1 and will break from the No. 8 post. He’s trained by Doug O’Neill, who won last year with I’ll Have Another.

Another Pletcher horse, Revolutionary, is the fourth choice at 10-1.