When Is The Kentucky Derby 2025 Post Position Draw? Date, Time, How It Works & Free Live Stream

The 2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw will take place on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at 7:25 p.m. ET. The draw will narrow the field down to 20 of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds for the first leg of the Triple Crown. Find everything you need to know about the 2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw below, including how it works, why it matters, and how to watch with a free live stream.

The chase for the Triple Crown begins this week as officials at Churchill Downs will conduct the 2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw. Considered the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby brings together the best horses and trainers for a shot at history. Below, we’ll uncover when the 2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw will take place and examine past results to reveal how it influences the Run for the Roses.

When Is The 2025 Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw?

Introduced in 1930, the post position draw has become a major turning point for horses, trainers, and betters, as starting gates can influence the outcome of the race. 

The post position draw typically happens one week before the race, as horses are assigned their starting gates. In 2025, the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3rd, 2025 at approximately 6:57 p.m. ET. 

That means the 2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw will take place on April 26th, 2025 at 7:25 p.m. ET. 

Horse racing fans can watch the draw on the official Kentucky Derby X account, where it can be live streamed for free. 

While no post guarantees success, some gates clearly outperform others and the Kentucky Derby odds can shift dramatically, as a result. 

Gate 5 has produced the most Kentucky Derby winners ever (10) while horses starting out of Gate 17 have never ended up in the winner’s circle. Meanwhile, middle gates, like Gate 10, are considered prime positions for horses at the beginning of the race. Gate 10 has produced the most in the money finishes and the highest in-the-money percentage among all gates.

How Does The Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Work?

The Kentucky Derby post position draw determines where each horse will line up in the starting gates at the racetrack. The process is carefully managed by Churchill Downs officials and typically takes place one week before the race. 

Here’s how it works:

The Double-Blind Draw Is A Two-Step Process

Kentucky Derby post positions are assigned using a double-blind draw. 

This ensures total fairness and that no preference or advantage is given to any horse, jockey, trainer, or owner.

Step 1: Random Number Assignment (the “pill pull”)

First, officials randomly draw numbered “pills” (representing post positions 1 through 20) from a container. These numbers correspond to the starting gate slots.

Step 2: Matching Horses to Posts

After each pill is drawn, a horse’s name is pulled and assigned to that post position. This continues until all horses have been matched with their starting gates.

Which Post Positions Are Considered The Most Favorable?

The post position draw adds a layer of strategy and excitement to Derby week, influencing everything from trainer tactics to betting odds. Here is a general overview of how jockeys and trainers view the different post positions.

• Inside posts (1–3) can create traffic problems, with horses often getting trapped or squeezed.
• Outside posts (17–20) require horses to break sharply to avoid being caught wide.
• Middle posts (5–10) are generally seen as ideal for balancing clean starts with good positioning.

Does Post Position Matter In The Kentucky Derby?

History has proven that the post position draw can ultimately shape the outcome of the Kentucky Derby with some gates performing better than others.

The most successful position by win percentage is Gate 5, with 10 winners in 95 starts (10.5%), followed closely by Gates 10 and 20, which also boast win rates above 10%. 

Gate 10 also leads all gates in in-the-money (ITM) finishes at 29.5%, showing strong overall performance over the years. On the flip side, Gate 17 remains the only post among the main 20 to have never produced a Derby winner, with a 0% win rate in 45 starts and just three ITM finishes (6.7%) in the history of the race. 

The rail (Gate 1) is traditionally considered difficult due to crowding, and the numbers reflect that, with an 8.4% win rate and an average finish around eighth place in recent years.

Check out the chart below for the post position history at the Kentucky Derby.