There's no doubting that the participants in the Kentucky Derby are among the most skilled racers in the world. From the trainers to the jockey and, most importantly, the horses, every member of a racing team brings skill and talent to the track.
That said, it does take a little luck to win an event like the Kentucky Derby, especially when it comes to the draw.
As strange as it sounds, the gate draw can have an impact on the winner. Certain gates at the Kentucky Derby pose an advantage on the track because of the way the race has been run over the years. Additionally, certain horses perform better from certain positions on the track.
So, horses that run well on the inside may prefer to get the pole. Meanwhile, more claustrophobic horses may like a higher-numbered gate so they don't have to wait inside the gate as long and so they have more room to the outside.
The Kentucky Derby held its gate draw on Monday. The Sporting News has the full list of starting positions for the 2022 Kentucky Derby and also breaks down how many winners each gate has produced since the device was implemented in 1930.
MORE: Why Medina Spirit was stripped of 2021 Kentucky Derby win
Kentucky Derby post positions 2022
The Kentucky Derby draw was officially held on Monday, May 2, five days in advance of the race. Mo Donegal was chosen as the pole-sitter for the race while the favorite Zandon ended up in the No. 10 spot. Meanwhile, Epicenter — the only horse besides Zandon to open with better than 5-1 odds — will be in the No. 3 gate.
Below is a look at where each horse was placed within the starting gate, along with the betting odds for each to win.
| Post position | Horse | Odds |
| 1 | Mo Donegal | 10-1 |
| 2 | Happy Jack | 30-1 |
| 3 | Epicenter | 7-2 |
| 4 | Summer is Tomorrow | 30-1 |
| 5 | Smile Happy | 20-1 |
| 6 | Messier | 8-1 |
| 7 | Crown Pride | 20-1 |
| 8 | Charge It | 20-1 |
| 9 | Tiz The Bomb | 30-1 |
| 10 | Zandon | 3-1 |
| 11 | Pioneer of Medina | 30-1 |
| 12 | Taiba | 12-1 |
| 13 | Simplification | 20-1 |
| 14 | Barber Road | 30-1 |
| 15 | White Abarrio | 10-1 |
| 16 | Cyberknife | 20-1 |
| 17 | Classic Causeway | 30-1 |
| 18 | Tawny Port | 30-1 |
| 19 | Zozos | 20-1 |
| 20 | Ethereal Road | 30-1 |
What is the best post position in horse racing?
The best post position will vary by race and by the type of horse running in each spot. Typically, horses that like more space will prefer to be in high-numbered posts, as they can work more with their space to the outside. Plus, they don't have to be inside the gate as long.
Meanwhile, the shortest path to victory comes on the inner posts. As such, getting the No. 1 gate can be an advantage, but it can also lead to issues for more claustrophobic horses. Why? Because they not only have to wait in the gate longer, but they are also granted little space to maneuver on either side. So, if they get nervous, they may stray from the crowd and hang back during the race to find space.
As for the race, the Kentucky Derby has a wide distribution of winners, but some spots are more favorable than others. Horses from the No. 5 gate have won most frequently with 10 wins over the years, but the No. 10 gate has accounted for nine victories since the implementation of the starting gate. That could spell good news for Zandon and Smile Happy.
The No. 8 gate isn't a bad spot either, as eight Derby winners have come from there. It would have been nine if Medina Spirit, last year's original race winner, hadn't been disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance.
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 | 8 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 9 | 4 |
| 10 | 9 |
| 11 | 2 |
| 12 | 3 |
| 13 | 5 |
| 14 | 2 |
| 15 | 6 |
| 16 | 4 |
| 17 | 0 |
| 18 | 2 |
| 19 | 1 |
| 20 | 1 |
Kentucky Derby winners by post position
The Kentucky Derby first implemented a starting gate in 1930. Since that time, every starting gate has produced a winning horse, with the exception of the No. 17 slot.
Since 2000, 10 of the winning horses have run from gates 5-10. Only two gates have produced four winners during that time: Gates 5 and 15.
Below is a list of all of the winners at each gate since 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 — (8) Mandaloun (2021); 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)
