Kentucky Derby post positions are the starting stalls from where horses begin the race. Positions can prove vital to the chances of winning – for example, there is a shorter distance to run to the first bend for horses closest to the rail.

Our guide to KY Derby post positions covers all there is to know about the draw. This includes how starting positions may affect your wagers on the big race!

How Do Kentucky Derby Post Positions Work?

A random draw takes place at Churchill Downs, usually around a week before race day, to determine the starting order for the Kentucky Derby. Post positions set the gates each horse jumps out of and are sequential from the inside rail to the outside rail. The draw can even influence Kentucky Derby picks from expert handicappers.

A maximum of 20 horses are allowed to run in the race at Churchill Downs. Each is assigned an individual post position from the starting gate, which corresponds to the number on its saddle cloth. You will notice that Kentucky Derby racebooks update their betting options to correspond with these numbers.

Some horses may be scratched or pulled between the draw and “The Run for the Roses.” This could lead to initial program numbers – released after the draw – corresponding to a replacement horse on the day.

Kentucky Derby Post Positions 2026

The draw for the 2025 Kentucky Derby took place 7pm local time on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Churchill Downs. These are the post positions for the entire 20-horse field this year with the Morning Line odds in brackets:

1. Citizen Bull (20-1)
2. Neoequos (30-1)
3. Final Gambit (30-1)
4. Rodriguez (12-1) – SCRATCHED
5. American Promise (30-1)
6. Admire Daytona (30-1)
7. Luxor Cafe (30-1)
8. Journalism (3-1)
9. Burnham Square (12-1)
10. Grande (20-1) – SCRATCHED
11. Flying Mohawk (30-1)
12. East Avenue (20-1)
13. Publisher (20-1)
14. Tiztastic (20-1)
15. Render Judgment (30-1)
16. Coal Battle (30-1)
17. Sandman (6-1)
18. Sovereignty (5-1)
19. Chunk Of Gold (30-1)
20. Owen Almighty (30-1)
21. Baeza (12-1)

Why the Kentucky Derby Draw Matters

The draw can make or break a horse’s chances of winning the race. In recent times, low draws – which refer to Kentucky Derby horses closest to the inside rail – have performed poorly. As such, knowing where your horse is positioned before you wager is a good idea.

There is a relationship between Kentucky Derby post positions and odds – especially when you are wagering on numbers. Some bettors prefer to pick their lucky digits rather than selecting horses based on their credentials. We recommend against such an arbitrary approach if you’re banking on smart payouts or betting major cash.

Kentucky Derby Post Positions Statistics

Some stats point toward a higher frequency of winners emerging from certain sections of the draw. Examining previous Kentucky Derby winners shows that some numbers have disproportionate numbers of wins, places, and shows.

Best Post Position in the Kentucky Derby

Official Kentucky Derby results show that position 5 has had 10 winners. This is the most since the starting gate was introduced to Churchill Downs in 1930. Although not science, there may be merit in considering where your horse starts from in the Kentucky Derby post positions 2026 and in future races.

Worst Post Position in the Kentucky Derby

The No. 17 gate is undoubtedly the worst there is. Kentucky Derby post positions statistics show that no horse has ever won the Derby having started from this single gate. Making matters even grimmer is the fact that a top 5 position has not been registered in a horse wearing 17 since 2005.

We recommend following the race schedule and order of horses. In the case where updated Kentucky Derby post positions are required, a runner you like may end up in the unluckiest of all traps. So, always be careful when backing any horse running under number 17!

Recent Kentucky Derby Winners By Post Position

Here’s a complete listing of winners of the Kentucky Derby by post position since the turn of the century. Gate 15 has been the most successful within this period, claiming four winners in 2000, 2004, 2015, and 2020. This alone may make it popular at horse racing betting sites.

FAQs

When do they draw Kentucky Derby post positions?

The post position draw for the Derby is set for Saturday, April 26, 2024. This is seven days before the race is held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3. In previous years, the draw has been held on the Monday before the race – this occurred in both 2023 and 2022. Details of the draw, which orders starting gates, aren’t typically published until then.

What happens if a horse is scratched after the draw has been made?

Horses scratched following the post position draw are usually replaced in the starting lineup by another from the also-eligible list. This means that Kentucky Derby post positions and jockeys will need to be changed, which can affect the which can affect the original post order and general feel of the horse race. In most cases, straight bets will be voided and refunded at sports betting sites. Multi-race bets may see a selection changed to the starting race favorite for the Derby.

What time is the Kentucky Derby draw?

Around 7pm Eastern Time (the local time zone) on Saturday, April 26, 2024. Setting the draw back to one week before gives organizers one week until the start of the race to ascertain starting positions and tend to other necessary pieces of planning.

How are Kentucky Derby post positions determined?

Post positions for the big race are set by way of a random draw that takes place at Churchill Downs around a week before the race. Officials are present to ensure that the draw is conducted fairly, and are not biased toward any horse or their owners.