The Kentucky Derby is often called the "most exciting two minutes in sports," but for bettors and racing enthusiasts, the real drama starts long before the horses reach the starting gate. Post position draws can make or break a contender, and this year's field has already seen some late shake-ups that could shift the odds.
With scratches thinning the field, only four horses will actually run from the post positions they originally drew on Churchill Downs' Opening Day. The latest scratch, Right to Party, exited on Friday morning, allowing Robusta to enter from the No. 20 post. This means the remaining horses have moved up in the gate, but their post numbers stay the same—a quirky detail that can confuse even seasoned fans.
Right to Party originally drew the No. 5 post, a spot that has historically been the most successful in Derby history. That's great news for Commandment, who slides into that lucky position after the scratch. Meanwhile, Silent Tactic also scratched from the No. 13 post, pushing everyone behind him up two spots. Golden Tempo, who initially drew No. 19, now finds himself in the No. 17 post—the only starting position since 1930 that has never produced a Derby winner. Talk about a tough break.
Let's break down the history of each post position and what it means for this year's contenders:
Post 1: Ferdinand (1986) was the last horse to win from the rail. The average finishing position for horses here is 8.2, making it one of the tougher spots to overcome.
Post 2: Four of the seven wins from this spot came in the 1970s, including Dust Commander (1970), Cannonade (1974), Bold Forbes (1976), and Affirmed (1978). No horse has won from here since.
Post 3: Two of the six wins from this post came in the 1970s—Foolish Pleasure (1975) and Spectacular Bid (1979). The post had produced a top-three finisher for three straight years before Final Gambit finished fourth last year.
Post 4: Super Saver's 2010 victory was the last for this post. It was empty last year after Rodriguez scratched with a bruised foot.
Post 5: The winningest position with 10 champions. Four have come since 2000: War Emblem (2002), Funny Cide (2003), California Chrome (2014), and Always Dreaming (2017). This is the spot Commandment now inherits.
Post 6: Has the fewest wins of the first 10 posts with just two, but it boasts eight second-place finishes—tied with Posts 3 and 5 for the most. Good Magic finished second from here in 2018.
As the field gets set for the Run for the Roses, keep an eye on the post positions. History shows that some gates are golden, while others are just a long shot waiting to happen. Whether you're picking a winner or just enjoying the pageantry, the numbers tell a story that's as thrilling as the race itself.