Renegade Draws Rail Post as 4-1 Favorite for 152nd Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. Renegade emerged as the morning-line favorite Saturday for the 152nd Kentucky Derby after drawing the inside No. 1 post position in a field of 20 three-year-old thoroughbreds set to compete on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

The colt, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., enters off a four-length victory in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park. Purchased for $975,000 as a yearling, Renegade is owned by Repole Stable and breeders Robert and Lawana Low. At 4-1 odds, he tops the early line despite the challenging rail draw, from which no horse has won since Ferdinand in 1986.

Trainer Brad Cox brings three strong contenders to the $5 million, 1 1/4-mile classic. Commandment, from post 6 with Luis Saez aboard, shares second-favorite status at 6-1 following a win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. The Into Mischief colt has won four of five career starts, including a stakes victory, though his limited experience raises questions about endurance. Further Ado, in post 18 under John Velazquez, also sits at 6-1 after dominating the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes by 11 lengths at Keeneland. Sired by Gun Runner, he remains undefeated at Churchill Downs....