Connections relieved after Hansen drew post 14 instead of the rail
There was a lot of drama at the post position draws for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, when Hansen’s name was yet to be called with the rail and the 14th post positions were the only one’s left, but when the 3-year-old Tapit colt got the post number 14, there was a big cheer from the Hansen section.
Clearly Michael Maker and Kendall E. Hansen did not want their front wheeler to get trapped down at the rail with 19 other breaking at the same time falling all over Hansen at the rail, it would have been a real squeeze for the juvenile champ, but here he dodged a bullet.
It was Aidan O’Brien trained Irish based Daddy Long Legs, who got the rail, but had it been Hansen, it would have been an interesting watch from a neutral’s point of view, who would have loved to witness the mettle this “almost” white horse possesses.
“I had two doctors to my left and they were shaking like a leaf,” said Maker, referring to Dr. Kendall Hansen and Dr. Harvey Diamond, the co-owners of Hansen. “I said ‘boy, I’m glad they don’t operate on me.’ ”
It would have been a real test for Hansen, had he drawn the rail, which hasn’t produced a Derby winner since 1986, but it will not be a surprise if Hansen comes off the pace this time around, because he can do just about anything.
His win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall at Churchill Downs was a gate to wire finish, but he showed in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes that he can come off the pace and then win at the same time, so the versatility is there, but what’s left to see what type approach he uses to get on to a good position early in the race.
“He was going to get away good anyway, but I’m happy to have the speed to our inside and that little extra space by the gate,” said Maker.
The first stand will have 14 gates, and then Gemologist will have to come a few feet on the inside to merge with the rest of the field from the other gate.
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