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2012 Kentucky Derby Post Positions

This first race in the coveted Triple Crown of horse racing attracts plenty of attention. Since 2005, when the purse went from one million to two million dollars, the "Run For The Roses" offers the biggest prize of all the Stakes races.

The May 5th running of the Kentucky Derby will be the 138th time that the race has been held. As race time draws near, watch for post positions to be announced at 5PM ET on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from Churchill Downs.

2012 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 | Kentucky Derby

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