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I was elated when my filly drew the third post position in a maiden race this week. She’s been running from the outside all year and not doing too well. But after speaking to my son about it, he thinks I give too much weight to where the horses start.
Statistically, the winningest pole position is the five, but this doesn’t mean it’s the best position for every horse or race. Some horses run better from inside posts because they don’t have to weave through other horses to get to the rail, which is especially crucial in races with a short distance to the first turn.
There is no doubt that post position matters in horse racing. How can it not? The horses are coming out of a starting gate at different spots and have to move into position to win.
From breeding and raising the horses to selecting the right jockey, many variables go into the race, and post position is one of them. In this blog post, we will take a look at the effect of post position on horse racing.
What is the post position in horse racing and how does it work?
Post position in horse racing is the location of a horse in the starting gate; it’s where the horses start the race and correspond to the number of horses entered.
For example, in a ten-horse race, the entries are numbered 1-10, with #1 being the closest to the inside rail and #10 being the furthest out. The starting gate is numbered so you can identify the horses as they leave the gates.
The starting gate is a device that holds horses in place until they are ready to start the race. It is made up of metal bars that open and close to allow horses to enter and exit. Horses are placed in the starting gate based on their post position.
If a horse draws post position # five, it will be loaded after the first four horses and will be in the fifth position from the inside of the starting gate.
How are horse race post positions determined?
When a horse is entered into a race, the racing secretary randomly assigns each a post position by shaking out numbers. The draw usually takes place 48 hours before the race, and the trainers are typically present.
Does post position matter in horse racing?
There are a few theories out there about the best post position. Some say that the inside post is best, while others say that the outside post is best. So which one is it?
The answer may surprise you. According to data from Equibase, over the past ten years, horses in post position number five have won the most races. In fact, horses in post five have won almost 13% of all races run during that period. That’s significantly higher than any other post position.
But that’s not always the case; a few benefits come with being in the inside post position. Horses starting there have a shorter distance to run to the first turn. This can be helpful for horses that do not like to be in traffic or are not good at passing other horses.
Horses in the middle draws are considered to have the best chance of winning. This is because they are not affected by the traffic on either side and can run their own race.
Horses in the outside post positions have a longer distance to run to the first turn, but they typically benefit from having a clear view of the track and avoiding traffic.
Post position drawbacks
There are some drawbacks to being in certain post positions as well. For example, horses in the inside post position may be hampered by traffic or other horses cutting them off if they do not get out to an early lead.
And when running from the one or two post position, the track may be heavier, which will slow a horse. Horses in the middle draws may be boxed in and unable to make a move until it is too late.
Horses in the outside post positions may have difficulty passing other horses and have difficulty moving inside.
Post position racing strategy
There are some strategies a jockey and trainer can use when a horse is in a particular post position. If a horse is in the inside post position, I encourage the jockey to try and get out quickly and gain an early lead to avoid horses crashing the rail.
If a horse is in the middle draw, it may be beneficial to wait for other horses to make their move and then make your move. If a horse is in the outside post position, it may be beneficial to wait for other horses to tire and then make your move.
No matter what post position a horse is in, they all have a chance of winning the race. It is up to the trainer and jockey to determine what strategy will work best for their horse in given circumstances.
How to handicap a race using post positions
When you’re trying to pick a winner in a horse race, it’s essential to consider the post positions. While there is no surefire way to predict how a horse will do based on its post position, knowing some general trends can help you narrow down the field.
If you’re new to handicapping races, here are a few things to keep in mind when looking at post positions:
– Look for horses that have won from the same post position in the past. This is a good indicator that they are comfortable running from that spot. This tip won’t help you with maiden claiming races.
– Consider the distance of the race when handicapping post positions. Horses in the inside posts have a shorter length to run, which can be an advantage in sprint races. However, in longer races, horses in the outside posts may have the advantage.
– I like horses with early speed to have the inside post they can get out front before the outside horses start moving to the rail.
Keep these things in mind when handicapping races, and you’ll be able to find some winning bets. Good luck.
Examples of races where the post position didn’t mattered
There are a lot of factors that go into winning a horse race – the horse’s pedigree, the jockey, the trainer, and of course, luck. But one factor that is often overblown is the post position.
Many people think that if their horse starts from a specific post position, they automatically have no chance of winning. This isn’t always true.
The first race on our list is the Kentucky Derby; it’s known for being a very competitive race, and it’s often said that the post position is crucial. This was proven untrue in 2008 when Big Brown won from post number 20.
At 50-to-one odds, Mine That Bird became the second-biggest long shot to ever win the Kentucky Derby from the eight-hole, not the most desirable position in the Derby with a win percentage of 8.9.
Another notable race is the 2012 Kentucky Derby. In this race, “I’ll Have Another” drew the 19th post position, the second-worst in the 20-horse field, and went on to win the race.
These are just a few examples that show that the post position doesn’t matter as much as people think it does. So don’t get too caught up in where your horse is starting from, the fastest horses typically win races. Instead, focus on other factors like recent form, jockey, and trainer.
What post position is best in the Kentucky Derbys
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the race has a history dating back to 1875. In this blog post, we will take a look at the post positions and see which one is the best!
The Kentucky Derby is a mile and a quarter race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown and is followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. A field of twenty horses will line up at the starting gate on Derby day, each with their own unique post position.
So, which post position is the best in the Kentucky Derby? While there is no clear answer, there are certainly some that have fared better than others over the years. The most successful post position in history is the number five, which has produced four winners since 2000 and 11 percent of all winners.
Other relatively successful post positions include the number ten (10.7% winners) and the number 15 with 10.2%. It’s worth noting that the number one post position has not had a winner since 1986.
While there is no foolproof way to predict which horse will win the Kentucky Derby, paying attention to post positions can give you a slight edge. So when you’re placing your bets, be sure to keep an eye on where each horse is starting from. You just might be able to give yourself a better chance of picking a winner. Good luck.