LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Essential Quality was assigned post 14 in a full gate of 20 3-year-olds set to race Saturday in the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Essential Quality will have Luis Saez aboard as the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the 1 1/4-mile race. The undefeated Godolphin homebred colt will be looking to become just the third 2-year-old champion in more than 40 years to win the Derby, following Street Sense (2007) and Nyquist (2016). Trainer Brad Cox said at the Tuesday post-position draw at the track that he was happy with post 14. “You like to be somewhere in the middle, where you’re comfortable, and go from there,” he said. Post time for the Derby, the 12th of 14 Saturday races, is 6:57 p.m. Eastern. NBC will provide extensive live coverage of the famed Run for the Roses starting at 2:30. A fast track is expected for Saturday, with sunshine and a daytime high of 73 in the local forecast. One of the other Derby favorites, Known Agenda (6-1), was assigned post 1 with the three-time reigning Eclipse champion jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., named to ride. No Derby winner has left from post 1 since Ferdinand in 1986. Perhaps worth noting is that this will be the second year for a 20-stall, 65-foot starting gate. It’s a gate that Churchill custom-ordered from Australia and first used last year to alleviate problems inherent with linking together a standard 14-stall gate with a six-stall auxiliary gate. “I think there’s a little less concern now (about post 1) with the new starting gate, where you actually have room to go somewhere into the first turn,” said Todd Pletcher, a two-time prior winner who has Known Agenda, the Florida Derby winner, as one of four starters in this year’s running, along with Sainthood (post 5), Dynamic One (post 11), and Bourbonic (post 20). “But you do risk the potential of getting shuffled way back. I was happy with the way (Known Agenda) ran in the Florida Derby, where he was inside when he got up into the first turn and backside, and he was able to advance and improve his position and showed he can handle being inside.” The one-hole is “just less than an ideal place to start.” Besides Essential Quality, a winner in all five starts, two other unbeaten colts also are in the field – Rock Your World (post 15) and Helium (post 12), both 3 for 3. Justify (2018) and Nyquist were the latest horses to win the Derby while still undefeated. :: Get Kentucky Derby Betting Strategies for exclusive wager recommendations, contender profiles, pedigree analysis, and more Rock Your World, with Joel Rosario riding, is the 5-1 second choice and one of the expected front-runners after going wire-to-wire in winning the Santa Anita Derby in his last start. “It was a good draw for us,” said his trainer, John Sadler. “I think we wanted to be outside; that’s usually where you have a little clearer trip. So, he’s got tactical speed; we’ll see how it shakes out, but overall, we’re pleased with the draw.” Cox, winner of the 2020 Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer, will be participating in his first Derby; he also will have Mandaloun (post 7) joining Essential Quality in the starting gate. Cox is trying to become the first Louisville-born trainer to win the Derby. Cox noted that he won the Kentucky Oaks three years ago when Monomoy Girl broke from post 14. “I think if we get the trips with either horse, we’re going to be really tough,” he said. “That’s how confident I am.” Bob Baffert, who tied Ben A. Jones for most Derby wins (six) by a trainer when winning the Derby with Authentic last September, has one starter this year in Medina Spirit (post 8). :: Get DRF Clocker Reports for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks cards to access exclusive insights from morning training With a $3 million purse, the winner’s share will be $1,860,000, assuming all 20 start. As of this year, Lasix treatment is no longer allowed in graded stakes in Kentucky, including the Derby. The only equipment change is for Keepmeinmind (blinkers off). First post Friday and Saturday is 10:30 a.m. Eastern. – additional reporting by David Grening 147th Kentucky Derby Grade 1, $3 million To be run Saturday at Churchill Downs 1 1/4 miles Post, 6:57 p.m. Eastern Television: NBC (2:30-7:30) Race 12 of 14 1. Known Agenda, 6-1 2. Like the King, 50-1 3. Brooklyn Strong, 50-1 4. Keepmeinmind, 50-1 5. Sainthood, 50-1 6. O Besos, 20-1 7. Mandaloun, 15-1 8. Medina Spirit, 15-1 9. Hot Rod Charlie, 8-1 10. Midnight Bourbon, 20-1 11. Dynamic One, 20-1 12. Helium, 50-1 13. Hidden Stash, 50-1 14. Essential Quality, 2-1 15. Rock Your World, 5-1 16. King Fury, 20-1 17. Highly Motivated, 10-1 18. Super Stock, 30-1 19. Soup and Sandwich, 30-1 20.  Bourbonic, 30-1 Blinkers off: Keepmeinmind * Morning-line odds :: Access DRF Past Performances for Saturday's Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs