Lousiville, Ky. ? His role as the Kentucky Derby favorite confirmed, Brother Derek now needs only to figure out how to win from the far, far outside.

The front-running colt was installed as the 3-1 favorite Wednesday after drawing the No. 18 post position. Only one horse ever has won the Derby from that spot – Gato Del Sol in 1982.

“How can I complain about my post?” trainer Dan Hendricks said. “We’re here. This is the greatest race in the world. And the 18 hole is not too bad the way the speed is set up in the race.”

Unbeaten this year and winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Brother Derek will be ridden by Alex Solis in a crowded field of 20 3-year-olds.

In California, Brother Derek won easily while racing on the lead against small fields. In his only race with a large field, the bay colt finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile leaving from the No. 13 post.

But with expected speed horses Sinister Minister and Sharp Humor starting inside Brother Derek, Hendricks says his colt simply will follow 4-1 co-second-favorite Lawyer Ron, who drew the No. 17 post.

Undefeated Barbaro, who drew the No. 8 post, was also 4-1.

Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia made up his mind Brother Derek would be the favorite following the Santa Anita Derby.

Pony girl Monnie Graves, right, pets Kentucky Derby hopeful Brother Derek, ridden by exercise rider Louis Ortega, on the track, Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

“I think the California horses were very strong this year,” Battaglia said. “He won impressively.”

Lawyer Ron comes into the Derby with a six-race winning streak. Trainer Bob Holthus was happy his colt will start from the outside.

“Fifteen would have been ideal, but it was already taken,” Holthus said. “I didn’t want to get trapped on the inside – there’s a lot of speed on the inside. If we can follow somebody, we’ll be in good shape.”

The field, in post position order from the rail out: Jazil (Fernando Jara, 30-1); Steppenwolfer (Robby Albarado, 30-1); Keyed Entry (Patrick Valenzuela, 30-1); Sinister Minister (Victor Espinoza, 12-1); Point Determined (Rafael Bejarano, 12-1); Showing Up (Cornelio Velasquez, 20-1); Bob and John (Garrett Gomez, 12-1); Barbaro (Edgar Prado, 4-1); Sharp Humor (Mark Guidry, 20-1); A.P. Warrior (Corey Nakatani, 15-1); Sweetnorthernsaint (Kent Desormeaux, 10-1); Private Vow (Shaun Bridgmohan, 50-1); Bluegrass Cat (Ramon Dominguez, 30-1); Deputy Glitters (Jose Lezcano, 50-1); Seaside Retreat (Patrick Husbands, 50-1); Cause to Believe (Russell Baze, 50-1); Lawyer Ron (John McKee, 4-1); Brother Derek (Alex Solis, 3-1); Storm Treasure (David Flores, 50-1); and Flashy Bull (Mike Smith, 50-1).