The post positions for the 2013 Kentucky Derby were announced Wednesday evening. This year’s odds-on favorite, Verrazano (currently at 4-1), will start out of Gate 14. Fellow contenders Orb (11-2) and Goldencents (6-1) will start out of Gates 16 and 8, respectively. Black Onyx (40-1) has the distinction, or misfortune, of running along the rail out of Gate 1.
Kentucky Derby 2013 post positions: Verrazano to start from Gate 14
Which horses got the best positions for Saturday’s race at Churchill Downs?
Andy Lyons
Here is the full Derby draw:
1. Black Onyx
2. Oxbow
3. Revolutionary
4. Golden Soul
5. Normandy Invasion
6. Mylute
7. Giant Finish
8. Goldencents
9. Overanalyze
10. Palace Malice
11. Lines Of Battle
12. Itsmyluckyday
13. Falling Sky
14. Verrazano
15. Charming Kitten
16. Orb
17. Will Take Charge
18. Frac Daddy
19. Java’s War
20. Vyjack
Other horses of note include Overanalyze and Revolutionary, coming out of Gates 9 and 3, respectively. You can check out profiles on them, and others in the field at SB Nation’s dedicated Kentucky Derby hub.
Post positions are usually considered particularly vital in the Derby because of how much more ground a horse has to cover if he starts on the outside. It’s not a good idea to start too close to the inside either, as there’s a risk of getting pinned toward the railing in position and having no room to maneuver. But in general it’s not been as big a deal in recent years, with the winner emerging from the auxiliary gates on the far side several times in the past half-decade.
Catch up with more analysis of the Kentucky Derby by checking out And Down The Stretch They Come.
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