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2018 Kentucky Derby Post Positions

The May 5th running of the 2018 Kentucky Derby will be the 144th time that the race has been held since the first derby horses raced down the track in Louisville in 1875.

Several days before the big race, watch for this year's lineup to announced at on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 5PM from Churchill Downs.

2018 Kentucky Derby post positions

Picking a Derby winner

To choose the winner you need to know the pedigree of the horse and his past history in the Stakes races. How the horse handles various track conditions can mean the difference between a win or an also-ran.

Who trains and rides the colt is another fact that handicappers look at. Pros can also look back on patterns of past Kentucky Derby winners and use that knowledge to predict the outcome.

Since 2000, only three of the horses who were favorites at the start of the Kentucky Derby finished in the money. In 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus won and in 2004 Smarty Jones won. Empire Maker placed in 2003. Harlan's Holiday (2002), Bellamy Road (2005) and Sweetnorthernsaint (2006) all heavy favorites finished seventh.

The sweetheart of the odds makers in 2001, Point Given, ended his race in fifth place. In spite of all of the best guesses from odds makers, the final verdict can only be decided by the horse and rider when the winner crosses the finish line.

also see in Horse Racing -> Belmont | Breeders Cup | Preakness | Ascot