The Kentucky Derby's 'Luckiest' Post Positions

The favorite in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, Journalism, has one of the “luckiest” post positions at the starting gate — No. 8.

Since 1991, that position joins three others in producing the most Kentucky Derby outright wins, at four. The other post positions with four wins are Nos. 5, 15 and 16.

In an interview on Gambling.com’s “The Edge” prior to the post position draw, Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, noted that positioning is “crucial.” The firm’s horse, Journalism, has one of the most-win-producing post positions.

Coming out of the gate, jockeys maneuvering in and out of traffic in the 20-horse field seek an edge on the 1 1/4-mile dirt track at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

“It's an absolute cavalry charge coming out of the gate and into the first turn, that first quarter of a mile,” Wellman said. “So getting position and comfortable position going into the first turn will be absolutely crucial to his success.”

Other thoroughbreds considered top contenders in the 151st Run for the Roses drew less-lucky post positions. For instance, Sandman, winner of the of the 2025 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, is in post No. 17, one of the "unluckiest."

Kentucky Derby Stats

Since and including 1991:

Most wins:
4 - Post Nos. 5, 8, 15 & 16

Post position numbers yet to have won the race:
1, 2, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17

Most placed finishes (1st, 2nd, 3rd):

No. 5: 11 

No. 8: 10

No. 16: 8

Fewest placed finishes:
1:  No. 1 (2nd) & No. 17 (2nd)

Longest wait for a placed finish:
20 years: No. 12 (3rd in 2005)

Trends

No. 3 has been 2nd, 2nd, then 1st in the last three years.

Most Lasts

No. 2: Four times (1998, 1999, 2002 & 2003)

Fast Facts

Post Nos. 5, 8, 15 and 16 are the “luckiest numbers,” with four wins apiece, for anyone having an outright bet on this year’s race.

For a slightly safer each-way bet, post Nos. 5 (11), 8 (10) and 16 (8) have had the most place finishes.

Post No. 5 has both the most place finishes and the joint most wins, so arguably it is the “luckiest number” overall.

Post Nos. 1 and 17 are the “unluckiest number,” with only one second-place finish each since 1991. However, No. 12 also hasn’t had a place finish in 20 years, which is the longest wait of any number.

2025 Kentucky Derby post positions

Below are the post positions, with jockey and odds in parentheses:

1. Citizen Bull, Martin Garcia (20-1)
2. Neoequos, Flavien Prat (30-1)
3. Final Gambit, Luan Machado (30-1)
4. Rodriguez, Mike Smith (12-1)
5. American Promise, Nik Juarez (30-1)
6. Admire Daytona, Christophe Lemaire (30-1)
7. Luxor Cafe, Joao Moreira (15-1)
8. Journalism, Umberto Rispoli (3-1)
9. Burnham Square, Brian Hernandez Jr. (12-1)
10. Grande, John Velazquez (20-1)
11. Flying Mohawk, Joe Ramos (30-1)
12. East Avenue, Manny Franco (20-1)
13. Publisher, Irad Ortiz Jr. (20-1)
14. Tiztastic, Joel Rosario (20-1)
15. Render Judgement, Julien Leparoux (30-1)
16. Coal Battle, Juan Vargas (30-1)
17. Sandman, Jose Ortiz (6-1)
18. Sovereignty, Junior Alvarado (5-1)
19. Chunk of Gold, Jareth Loveberry (30-1)
20. Owen Almighty, Javier Castellano (30-1)

Source: USA Today

How To Watch

• When: Saturday, May 3
• Coverage starts: 2:30 p.m. ET
• Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
• Where: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
• Cable TV: NBC, USA Network
• Streaming: Fubo, Peacock

Source: USA Today

2025 Triple Crown Schedule

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown.

• The Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, May 3
• The Preakness Stakes: Pimlico, Baltimore, Maryland, May 17
• The Belmont Stakes: Saratoga*, New York, June 7

*Note: This race is being held in Saratoga as work continues on a  $550 million upgrade at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, just east of New York City.

Get more information on Kentucky Derby betting from Gambling.com.