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What does it take to win the Kentucky Derby? Speed, skill, preparation — and a little luck with your post position certainly doesn’t hurt.
The 2021 Kentucky Derby post position draw took place Tuesday morning, giving participants their starting gates ahead of the annual event. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 total horses, though others could be brought in if there are scratches before the race.
Sporting News has the complete results from Tuesday’s draw. Check out the full list of post positions at the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
MORE: Who won the Kentucky Derby in 2020? Highlights from last year’s race
Kentucky Derby post positions 2021
The draw for 2021 Kentucky Derby post positions was held at 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday. Here are the results and odds:
| Post position | Horse | Odds |
| 1 | Known Agenda | 6-1 |
| 2 | Like The King | 50-1 |
| 3 | Brooklyn Strong | 50-1 |
| 4 | Keepmeinmind | 50-1 |
| 5 | Sainthood | 50-1 |
| 6 | O Besos | 20-1 |
| 7 | Mandaloun | 15-1 |
| 8 | Medina Spirit | 15-1 |
| 9 | Hot Rod Charlie | 8-1 |
| 10 | Midnight Bourbon | 20-1 |
| 11 | Dynamic One | 20-1 |
| 12 | Helium | 50-1 |
| 13 | Hidden Stash | 50-1 |
| 14 | Essential Quality | 2-1 |
| 15 | Rock Your World | 5-1 |
| 16 | King Fury | 20-1 |
| 17 | Highly Motivated | 10-1 |
| 18 | Super Stock | 30-1 |
| 19 | Soup And Sandwich | 30-1 |
| 20 | Bourbonic | 30-1 |
What is the best post position in horse racing?
The best post positions can change depending on the track and total horses participating in each race. At the Kentucky Derby, the lucky starting slot seems to be No. 5, which has produced the most winners of any post position.
Here is the complete list of Kentucky Derby winners at each post position since the starting gate was implemented in 1930:
| Post position | Kentucky Derby winners |
| 1 | 8 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 10 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 9 | 4 |
| 10 | 9 |
| 11 | 2 |
| 12 | 3 |
| 13 | 5 |
| 14 | 2 |
| 15 | 6 |
| 16 | 4 |
| 17 | 0 |
| 18 | 2 |
Kentucky Derby winners by post position
(Since the use of a starting gate in 1930)
- 1 — (8) Ferdinand (1986); Chateaugay (1963); Needles (1956); Hill Gail (1952); Citation (1948); Gallahadion (1940); Lawrin (1938); War Admiral (1937)
- 2 — (7) Affirmed (1978); Bold Forbes (1976); Cannonade (1974); Dust Commander (1970); Tim Tam (1958); Ponder (1949) Assault (1946)
- 3 — (5) Real Quiet (1998); Alysheba (1987); Spectacular Bid (1979); Foolish Pleasure (1975); Shut Out (1942)
- 4 — (5) Super Saver (2010); Seattle Slew (1977); Decidedly (1962); Pensive (1944); Whirlaway (1941)
- 5 — (10) 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)
- 6 — (2) Sea Hero (1993); Iron Liege (1957)
- 7 — (7) Justify (2018); Street Sense (2007); Pleasant Colony (1981); Proud Clarion (1967); Northern Dancer (1964); Determine (1954); Gallant Fox (1930)
- 8 — (8) Mine That Bird (2009); Barbaro (2006); Go for Gin (1994); Unbridled (1990); Majestic Prince (1969); Lucky Debonair (1965); Swaps (1955); Cavalcade (1934)
- 9 — (4) Riva Ridge (1972); Venetian Way (1960); Tomy Lee (1959); Count Turf (1951)
- 10 — (9) 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)
- 11 — (2) Winning Colors (1988); Brokers Tip (1933)
- 12 — (3) Canonero II (1971); Kauai King (1966); Hoop Jr. (1945)
- 13 — (4) Nyquist (2016) Smarty Jones (2004); Forward Pass (1968); Jet Pilot (1947); Burgoo King (1932)
- 14 — (2) Carry Back (1961); Middleground (1950)
- 15 — (6) Authentic (2020); American Pharoah (2015); Orb (2013); Fusaichi Pegasus (2000); Grindstone (1996); Swale (1984)
- 16 — (4) Animal Kingdom (2011); Monarchos (2001); Charismatic (1999); Thunder Gulch (1995)
- 17 — (0)
- 18 — (2) Country House (2019); Gato Del Sol (1982)
- 19 — (1) I’ll Have Another (2012)
- 20 — (1) Big Brown (2008)