BALTIMORE -- For a while there, it looked as if the Preakness was shaping up to be a runaway victory for Kentucky Derby winner Orb. Then came the post-position draw. Suddenly things got very interesting. Orbs pursuit of the Triple Crown received an unexpected jolt Wednesday when trainer Shug McGaugheys horse drew the rail for Saturdays race. McGaughey tried to brush off the development as a mere inconvenience, but he couldnt entirely mask his disappointment over starting inside eight other horses in the smallest Preakness field since 2007. "Obviously, if I was going to pick it out, I wouldnt have picked the 1," McGaughey said. "But with only nine horses in there to run a mile and three-sixteenths, with a rider like Joel (Rosario), hes going to figure out what to do. Hell have him in the right spot." Thats the plan. Yet, if Orb doesnt get in front early, he risks becoming pinned on the rail or pushed to the back of the field. The inside post is even worse in the Derby, where this year there were 19 horses in the field. "If it had come out the 1 in the Derby, youd almost have felt like you needed to go home," McGaughey said. "But I dont feel that way here." Still, history suggests Orbs advantage in this race has dwindled, even though he was made the even-money favourite in the morning line. Only twice since 1950 has a horse won from the No. 1 post -- Bally Ache in 1960 and Tabasco Cat in 1994. So the rest of the field has a little bit more hope than it did before Orb got stuck on the rail. "Out of the nine numbers, the 1 is probably the one you want the least," said Al Stall Jr., the trainer of Departing. Mylute, who will start from the No. 5 post as the second-favourite at 5-1, trailed Orb for much of the race in Kentucky. This race could develop quite differently with Orb inside. "We need to make up three or four lengths, and that may be one of the factors that helps us," said Todd Quast, general manager of GoldMark Farm, co-owner of the Derbys fifth-place finisher. Soon after the draw ended, Mylute jockey Rosie Napravnik said on Twitter, "Perfect draw! super excited! Quast said, "Were ecstatic about it. With this horse, it doesnt matter as much, but it sure is nice being inside, a little bit toward the middle, and then having Orb inside us and Departing inside us, the two big threats. Its great to be outside of them." Departing, a bay gelding, won the Grade III Illinois Derby on April 20 and skipped the Kentucky Derby because Stall did not think the horse was ready. The trainer thinks it might be an advantage at the Preakness. "In this day and age, the modern thoroughbred seems to like a little time in-between races. I dont know why," Stall said. "So were fortunate enough to have 28 days between the Illinois Derby and now. It gave us time to improve and he really has improved. You can see it on a day-to-day basis when you train him." Stall is among those who believe the rail wont be a hindrance to Orb. "The post doesnt really matter in this type of race, this type of track with a nine-horse field," he said. "Its just a good party to come to." Orb won the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths and has won five straight races, so hes certainly worth of being the favourite in spite of his starting position. "I dont know that the rails all that bad," said Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has three horses in the race: Oxbow, Will Take Charge and Titletown Five. "Orb is still the one to beat." The field, from the rail, with odds in parenthesis: Orb (1-1), Goldencents (8-1), Titletown Five (30-1), Departing (6-1), Mylute (5-1), Oxbow (15-1), Will Take Charge (12-1), Govenor Charlie (12-1) and Itsmyluckyday (10-1). Lukas was delighted with the post positions drawn by his trio of entrants. "I love mine. I thought it was real good," he said. "Oxbow for a change got inside a little bit. Hell be forwardly placed. We shouldnt have any trouble. Im going to have to come up with a different excuse when we get beat." Air Max Sale Cheap . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Nike Air Max Shoes Wholesale . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. http://www.airmaxsalecheap.com/ . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Air Max For Sale Cheap . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Air Max Clearance Online . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. AKRON, Ohio -- Kwan Cheatham Jr. and Noah Robotham each scored 16 points and Akron used a 44-30 rebounding advantage and a late run to beat American University 72-62 in their home opener on Thursday night.Trailing 33-25 at halftime, American rallied to within 40-37 on James Washingtons layup and 3-pointer. Jimond Ivey dunked on Akrons next possession, sparking a 13-5 run and the Zips pulled ahead 53-43 with 5:38 left and the Eagles (0-3) got no closer than 8 the rest of the way.Cheatham grabbed 12 rebounds, Isaiah Johnson scored 14 points and had 110 boards and Ivey added 12 points and 11 rebounds.dddddddddddd The Zips (1-1) were held to 36 percent shooting from the floor (20 of 55) but made 27 of 34 free throws (79 percent).Zips players were presented their 2015-16 Mid-American Conference Regular-Season Championship rings before the game. Akron finished 26-9 overall and 13-5 in league play last season.Washington and Delante Jones led American with 18 points each. ' ' '