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A wide barrier draw has done little to alter the grip American Pharaoh has on Kentucky favouritism over his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Dortmund.

American Pharoah, looking to become the first juvenile champion since Street Sense in 2007 to win Saturday’s Derby at Churchill Downs, will break from post 18.

The colt assumed favouritism with his dominant eight lengths victory in the Arkansas Derby on April 11.

He was the 5-2 morning line elect after Wednesday’s draw where his unbeaten stablemate Dortmund (3/1) drew post eight.

Baffert was visibly relieved after the draws that he sees as favourable for both horses.

“Outside doesn’t really bother me,” Baffert said of American Pharoah’s draw.

“I just didn’t want to be stuck down inside. As long as he breaks well hopefully he’ll get a good spot.”

He is also pleased with Santa Anita Derby winner Dortmund’s draw.

“He’s a good gate horse, he breaks well, he’s going to be forward placed and we’re going to have to shake it out.”

Dortmund holds a perfect career record of six-for-six and will attempt to become the first undefeated winner of the Kentucky Derby since his sire Big Brown accomplished the feat in 2008.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Carpe Diem, the most-fancied of trainer Todd Pletcher’s four runners, held third position in the betting at 8/1 after drawing gate 2.

His stablemate Materiality, the Florida Derby winner and the 12-1 fourth choice in the betting, is in post 3.

“In a perfect world, I would have liked to have been more toward the middle with Carpe Diem and Materiality,” Pletcher admitted.

“But Carpe Diem is a good gate horse and he’ll get away from there quickly. Materiality is also a good gate horse, so if he gets out he ought to be fine.”

The Pletcher-trained Stanford, part-owned by the Coolmore syndicate with Stonestreet Stables, has been scratched from the Derby, giving a start to the Nick Zito-trained Frammento.

“We decided it might be best to take him out and consider other options,” Pletcher said.

"We are thinking that either the Peter Pan at Belmont or the Preakness might be better spots for him.”

Stanford drew post 11 so the horses in posts 12 through 20 will each move in one stall and Frammento will be break from gate 20.

Frammento was last seen finishing fourth behind Carpe Diem in Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes on April 4.

The fancied 12/1 chance Firing Line, to break from post 10, will be the first Derby runner for trainer Simon Callaghan.

“I’m very happy with the draw,” Callaghan said. “I believe we will be last to load, which is an advantage. With the number 10 you’ve got options.”

Ocho Ocho Ocho has the rails draw, which is regarded as a disadvantage by most assessors and trainers including his mentor Jim Cassidy.

“It is what it is. It’s a tough spot but what are you going to do?” Cassidy said.