Goldencents hoping to ride Pitino’s roll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino became a Hall of Famer and an NCAA champion on the same day. Now he is positioned to become a Kentucky Derby-winning owner if Goldencents wins Saturday.

Despite attempts to downplay his hot streak, Pitino’s appearance for a workout Wednesday at Churchill Downs showed how much people like being around a winner. He looked every bit the rock star, wearing sunglasses as he walked through a throng of Cardinals and racing fans who had waited patiently outside the barn.

Pitino owns only 5 percent of the horse that is a 5-1 choice to win the Derby from the No. 8 post. But given his current roll, it’s hard to bet against him.

‘‘Obviously, we’re rooting for Goldencents, but the Derby is something that you never know’’ how it will evolve, Pitino said. ‘‘If we don’t win it, I’d like to see someone like [trainer] Shug McGaughey win it. He’s never won the Derby. He’s a great trainer and a friend of mine. I’d like to see a Goldencents-Orb exacta. That would be awesome.

‘‘It’s anybody’s ballgame. It’s not like basketball, where you can look at a team and say they’ve got a little bit more firepower. You just don’t know in the Derby because you don’t know who’s going to get into racing trouble.’’

Perhaps, but Pitino is an active participant this week because Goldencents overcame adversity to win the Santa Anita Derby last month and earn his way into the 139th Run for the Roses. After moving outside to surge past pacesetter Super Ninety Nine on the final turn, the brown colt held off Flashback for a one-length victory that came just hours before Louis- ville rallied past Wichita State 72-68 in a national semifinal in Atlanta. Goldencents instantly became part of a phenomenal roll for Pitino, the school and the city, boosting local rooting interest for the Derby.

Two days later, Pitino was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Cardinals went on to beat Michigan 82-76 for their first national championship since 1986.

‘‘Coach has been on a tremendous run, and we just keep thinking that it’s going to continue,’’ said Goldencents trainer Doug O’Neill, who is seeking his second consecutive Derby victory after I’ll Have Another won last May. ‘‘Watching him win that championship, especially after the injury to [guard] Kevin [Ware], has been very inspirational for all of us, and we’re all feeling it. Hopefully, we can keep the roll going.’’