Kentucky Derby: Barber Road, Gutierrez continue preparation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The homework now begins in earnest for the jockeys of the 148th Kentucky Derby following Monday afternoon's post position draw.

"[A lot] depends on me and studying my race," said Reylu Gutierrez, who will ride the late-running Barber Road as his first Derby mount.

Barber Road and Gutierrez landed in post 14 in the full field, and first-time Derby trainer John Ortiz is fine with that.

"I don't mind being this close to the outside," Ortiz said. "Reylu's going to be able to make the right decision leaving the gate - see what horses on our inside are going to end up going, and who's going to come around us on the outside. And I think we'll just sit in a nice pocket, and try to have a tactical ride, and try to save some ground, and from then on, Barber Road and Reylu are going to have to navigate through traffic."

Meanwhile, Barber Road continues to complete his homework in good order. After breezing on Saturday and having a walk day Sunday, the colt turned in his second straight energetic gallop on Tuesday morning. Equipped in the blinkers he wears to race, the gray had his head cocked against the hold of regular exercise rider Elexander Aguilar as he galloped over the wet track, with Gutierrez among those at the rail looking on.

While going about the day-to-day business of running his barn – shortly after Barber Road came back to the barn, Ortiz was up on his stable pony to escort another horse to the track – the magnitude of having his first Derby starter continues to hit in waves for Ortiz, including when he walked in under the bright lights and in the crowded room for the post position draw proceedings.

"Walking in through the Aristides banner, I got a little emotional, because I knew what was coming," Ortiz said. "I kind of had to hold my tears in a little bit. But I'm just super excited and happy and honored to be here."