What is the Importance of the Post Position Draw and the 2014 Kentucky Derby?

The post position draw is one of the most important factors when handicapping the Kentucky Derby race.  In fact, it is the post position draw that ultimately determines the lines days in advance of Saturday’s race.  Betting on the 2014 Kentucky Derby online was available at SportsBetting.ag here.

Because the race has been around for more than 100 years, we have plenty of stats to look at regarding how a horse has performed from a particular post position.  The Draw takes place at 5 pm EDT Wednesday. 

Last year’s winner, Orb, drew the number 16 post position. 
"It was a great post position. We got everything we wanted," said trainer Todd Pletcher at the time.
Four horses had previously won from that position.

Here we look at the results since 1930.
Outside of the number 6 position, which has only produced a total of two winners, the top 10 post positions are considered favorable.  The number 9 post position has produced four winners but nothing in over 40 years.

The 10 spot has produced the most winners at nine with the most recent being in 2005 with Giacomo's victory.

Post spots 1, 5 and 8 have each produced eight Kentucky Derby winners.

On the other hand, post positions 17 through 20 are considered the worst with the number 17 spot producing zero winners to date.  The other three have resulted in one winner apiece. 

I’ll Have Another became the first Kentucky Derby entry to win from the number 19 post position just two years ago.

Source: KentuckyDerby.com

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com