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The 2025 Kentucky Derby is Saturday with a 6:57 p.m. ET post time, officially beginning the Triple Crown season. While most Americans focus on more mainstream events like football and basketball for betting throughout the year, the late spring brings Kentucky Derby betting online into more of a focus. If you're trying to learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby or make any kind of 2025 Kentucky Derby bets, there's plenty to consider before the gates open.

The Kentucky Derby post draw was last Saturday, which gives those betting on the Kentucky Derby more time to evaluate the horses and their starting positions. While studying the Kentucky Derby post draw can help you find historical Kentucky Derby betting trends, it's also important to remember that post numbers can change if horses are scratched throughout the week.

What Kentucky Derby post trends should you consider when you bet on the Derby, and how should you craft your Kentucky Derby betting strategy on sites like TwinSpires, 1/ST BET and FanDuel Racing?

2025 Kentucky Derby post positions

Up to 20 horses will run in the Kentucky Derby. Baeza officially entered the field Thursday after the scratch of Rodriguez, who was in the No. 4 post and was 12-1. Baeza will be in the No. 21 post. 

Horse

Post

Cloth Number

Morning Line Odds

Citizen Bull

1

1

20-1

Neoequos  

2

2

30-1

Final Gambit

3

3

30-1

American Promise

5

5

30-1

Admire Daytona

6

6

30-1

Luxor Cafe

7

7

15-1

Journalism

8

8

3-1

Burnham Square

9

9

12-1

Grande

10

10

20-1

Flying Mohawk

11

11

30-1

East Avenue

12

12

20-1

Publisher

13

13

20-1

Tiztastic  

14

14

20-1

Render Judgement

15

15

30-1

Coal Battle

16

16

30-1

Sandman

17

17

6-1

Sovereignty  

18

18

5-1

Chunk Of Gold

19

19

30-1

Owen Almighty

20

20

30-1

Baeza

21

21

12-1

What is a Kentucky Derby post position?

A post position is the starting gate number for each horse in a race. 

A program number is the saddlecloth that each horse wears, and it's the number that appears next to the horse if you want to place a bet on that horse. The program number is the most important one to track, as that doesn't change at any point. Typically, thoroughbred races in North America have program numbers that match the post position, but horses can slide over a post if there is a scratch in the race (when a horse entered does not run).

A maximum of 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby, but there can always be scratches leading up to the race. As a result, that can be where post positions and program numbers are not aligned. If the horse at post 5 is scratched, the other horses will move over one post to eliminate the gap. So the No. 6 horse at post 6 would then become the No. 6 horse at post 5 or post 7. 

So how are the post positions determined for the Kentucky Derby? There are 20 pills, where the numbers one through 20 are written on each one. The racing secretary will then draw one out for each of the participating horses in the race. Therefore, it is a random draw.

Kentucky Derby winners by post position

Since the first use of the starting gate in 1930, here are how many Kentucky Derby winners have started off at each post, with Post 5 producing the most wins with 10. There are fewer winners on the outermost gates because the Kentucky Derby increased the field size to a maximum of 20 in 1975.

Along with the winning Kentucky Derby horses at each post, a winning percentage is provided for how often a horse starting off at that post has won the Kentucky Derby.

Post Winners Win Rate Past Winners
188.40%Ferdinand (1986); Chateaugay (1963); Needles (1956); Hill Gail (1952); Citation (1948); Gallahadion (1940); Lawrin (1938); War Admiral (1937)
277.40%Affirmed (1978); Bold Forbes (1976); Cannonade (1974); Dust Commander (1970); Tim Tam (1958); Ponder (1949) Assault (1946)
366.40%Mystik Dan (2024); Real Quiet (1998); Alysheba (1987); Spectacular Bid (1979); Foolish Pleasure (1975); Shut Out (1942)
455.30%Super Saver (2010); Seattle Slew (1977); Decidedly (1962); Pensive (1944); Whirlaway (1941)
51010.50%Always Dreaming (2017); California Chrome (2014); Funny Cide (2003); War Emblem (2002); Silver Charm (1997); Strike the Gold (1991); Count Fleet (1943); Johnstown (1939); Bold Venture (1936); Twenty Grand (1931)
622.10%Sea Hero (1993); Iron Liege (1957)
788.50%Mandaloun (2021); Justify (2018); Street Sense (2007); Pleasant Colony (1981); Proud Clarion (1967); Northern Dancer (1964); Determine (1954); Gallant Fox (1930)
899.60%Mage (2023); Mine That Bird (2009); Barbaro (2006); Go for Gin (1994); Unbridled (1990); Majestic Prince (1969); Lucky Debonair (1965); Swaps (1955); Cavalcade (1934)
944.40%Riva Ridge (1972); Venetian Way (1960); Tomy Lee (1959); Count Turf (1951)
10910.20%Giacomo (2005); Lil E. Tee (1992); Sunday Silence (1989); Spend a Buck (1985); Sunny's Halo (1983); Genuine Risk (1980); Secretariat (1973); Dark Star (1953); Omaha (1935)
1122.40%Winning Colors (1988); Brokers Tip (1933)
1233.80%Canonero II (1971); Kauai King (1966); Hoop Jr. (1945)
1346.40%Nyquist (2016) Smarty Jones (2004); Forward Pass (1968); Jet Pilot (1947); Burgoo King (1932)
1422.90%Carry Back (1961); Middleground (1950)
1569.50%Authentic (2020); American Pharoah (2015); Orb (2013); Fusaichi Pegasus (2000); Grindstone (1996); Swale (1984)
1647.70%Animal Kingdom (2011); Monarchos (2001); Charismatic (1999); Thunder Gulch (1995)
1700%N/A
1825.40%Country House (2019); Gato Del Sol (1982)
1913.20%I'll Have Another (2012)
20210.50%Rich Strike (2022); Big Brown (2008)

Worst Kentucky Derby posts

The only post that has never had a winning horse is Post 17. There have been 44 Kentucky Derbies with a horse coming out of Post 17. Post 17 has also seen only one place (second-place finish) and two shows (third-place finish) out of those 44 races, meaning it's only had a 6.8% rate of being in the money. 

Kentucky Derby post position trends

Let's look at which posts have been the most successful and least successful in the 20-horse era, or since 1975. 

Post 5 has seen six horses trot to victory in the 20-horse era, with the most recent being Always Dreaming in 2017. Post 10 and Post 15 are right behind with five winning horses each.

There have been four posts that haven't had a single winner since 1975: 9, 12, 14 and 17. 

How to use post positions to bet on the Kentucky Derby

If you're betting on the Kentucky Derby, using post position could be one factor for determining the horse you want to bet on, but it shouldn't be the only one. Blindly tailing trends is not the best way to approach any wager, as there is much more research that needs to be done. For instance, it would benefit any bettor to look at other factors such as the horse's recent form and jockey history. 

Before placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby, you may want to check out the different promos that different racebooks are offering. Two of the top ones have strong promo offers, including getting up to $400 in bonus bets at TwinSpires, $250 in bonus bets at 1/ST BET or a No Sweat Bet of up to $500 at FanDuel Racing.

Post positions of biggest longshots in Derby history

  • Donerail (1913): 91/1 odds out of Post 5
  • Rich Strike (2022): 80/1 odds out of Post 20
  • Country House (2019): 65/1 odds out of Post 18
  • Mine That Bird (2009): 50/1 odds out of Post 8
  • Giacomo (2005): 50/1 odds out of Post 10

Rules and responsible gaming

Responsible gambling is taken very seriously across all racebooks. All provide the necessary resources and contact information if you or someone you know may have a gambling problem. The minimum age is 18 for horse racing betting in most states, but it is 21 in some states. 

Responsible gambling resources include the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Gamblers Anonymous.

Be smart. Bet smart. Wager responsibly. Those in need of help can also call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).  Help is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week.