Kentucky Derby 2012 Post Positions: Horses Doomed by Bad Starting Spots

When a bunch of talented horses are entered in the same race, as is the case in the Kentucky Derby, post positions are crucial.

A good one, like favorite Bodemeister received, sets a colt up for victory, while a bad one can end a horse's race before it has a chance to begin.

Let's take a look at three derby hopefuls that will be doomed simply because luck wasn't on their side during the draw. For a complete list of post positions and morning line odds, click here.

Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs will start from the No. 1 post, which has become a jockey's nightmare. With 20 horses all hoping to get down to the rail as soon as possible, the first horse usually gets squeezed out unless it makes an incredible break from the gate.

It's an unfortunate draw for Daddy Long Legs, who would have been a solid sleeper pick with a better starting gate.

He won the UAE Derby his last time out and has plenty of experience against elite fields, including last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Instead, it looks like Daddy Long Legs will suffer the same fate as every horse since Ferdinand in 1986, which is the last time a horse starting on the rail won the Kentucky Derby.

Optimizer

Starting to the right of Daddy Long Legs in post No. 2 will be Optimizer. The second gate has actually been less successful than the first with just nine winners, and none since the dominant Affirmed pulled it off in 1978.

Optimizer was a long shot to begin with, and the post position all but guarantees he won't be in the mix as they come down the stretch.

It also doesn't help that jockey Calvin Borel–who loves riding the rail–will be starting from the third gate.

Usually, it's not a bad idea to take a chance on an underdog like Optimizer in evenly-matched triple crown races, but you're better off avoiding him. There just isn't enough upside.

Liaison

Liaison will start from the extreme outside in post No. 20.

Only two horses have been able to overcome that spot to win the race. The last one was Big Brown in 2008, but he was a far more talented horse than Liaison, nearly winning the Triple Crown.

After a successful 2011, Liaison hasn't been able to match that success this year.

He hasn't finished in the money in any of his three starts while racing against some of the same horses that will be in the derby. So, it's difficult to find a bright side about his chances.

Just like Optimizer, Liaison would have provided some value with a better post, but isn't worth the risk having to travel from the outside. Find a better long shot.