LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Preparing Lani for the Kentucky Derby was the easy part. Getting him to follow directions on race day was a much tougher test.

Known for digging in his hooves, and kicking, when he doesn’t want to do something, the Japan-based colt frequently showed his mule side while being led from his barn to the paddock and starting gate. Lani stubbornly fought his handlers and kicked the paddock stall, and for a minute seemed headed toward being scratched.

Given special permission to stand apart from his counterparts as they paraded through the paddock, jockey Yutaka Take was soon in the saddle and on the track with arguably the Derby’s most temperamental horse.

But concerns he’d disrupt the race didn’t materialize. The 30-1 long shot finished ninth of 20 horses.

THE AMERICAN Pharoah hangover is over for Bob Baffert, Victor Espinoza and Ahmed Zayat.

With unbeaten Nyquist winning the Kentucky Derby and heading to the Preakness in two weeks, Triple Crown chatter turns to racing’s newest star.

Baffert’s hopes were with Mor Spirit, but the Santa Anita Derby runner-up was 10th under jockey Gary Stevens.

Espinoza, meanwhile, was bidding to become the first rider to win three consecutive Derbys. He was a late replacement aboard Whitmore, who finished 19th in the 20-horse field.

Zayat, the American Pharoah owner, was home in New Jersey.

THE DERBY, the epitome of self-indulgence and conspicuous consumption, is an irresistible lure for the 1 percent. How much does it cost? Well, if you’re counting, you don’t count.

Churchill Downs’ press box used to be on the sixth floor, overlooking the finish line, until somebody figured out the track could make tons of money on Derby weekend by refurbishing it and evicting the scribes. Now it’s called The Mansion, and a track source said a two-day ticket for one goes for $8,500, plus $2,500 for a personal seat license, payable yearly.

Capacity is 300, and there’s a waiting list. For a group of 24 or more, there’s a discount: only $7,500 a head for world-class feasting, drinking and mingling.

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