Kentucky Derby 2012 Post Positions: Horses Who Will Benefit from Inside Position

Post positions can either make it or break it for a horse, and during this year's Kentucky Derby the inside position will certainly turn certain colts into contenders. 

Not every horse likes being near the rail, but depending upon what type of horse it is and who the jockey is, the inside position can be beneficial.

Furthermore, history is working in favor of the inside horses. 

Of the 137 Kentucky Derby winners, 88 (64-percent) have come from gates 1-10, while 73 (53percent) have come from the first five positions.

It's not a lock that the winner will come from the inside, but it would be smart to bet on someone who is slotted there.

With the post positions official (you can find them here), let's take a look at which horses will enjoy being near the rail.

Take Charge Indy (No. 3)

Jockey Calvin Borel, who has won three Kentucky Derbies in the past five years, loves getting to the rail.

From the No. 3 gate, he'll be able to get there easily.

Take Charge Indy is coming off an impressive win over favorite Union Rags in the Florida Derby. During that race, Union Rags got bottled down near the rail, and it benefited Take Charge Indy.

In this one, don't be surprised if something similar happens. Union Rags is coming out of the No. 4 gate, and he won't be able to get to the outside, which is what he prefers. 

Union Rags has better odds than Take Charge Indy, but I would be surprised if they finish that way. 

Creative Cause (No. 8)

Creative Cause has only won one of his last four starts, but he's always just off the lead. The No. 8 position should help him to stay just off the lead and make a late push, which is exactly what he likes to do.

At least trainer Mike Harrington, via kentuckyderby.com, feels that way:

"

“It’s perfect. The post gives him a chance to get out and get a good stalking position. Depending on the speed, I expect him to three or four lengths off the leaders. That’s the way he runs.”

"

Dullahan (No. 5)

This is a great spot as far as the history of the Kentucky Derby goes. Eight winners have come from the No. 5 post, which is tied for the second most since 1930.

Nonetheless, trainer Dale Romans isn't too worried about it. 

"

"I don’t think the post draw was quite as important to our horse compared to some of the other speed horses, or when we had Shackleford last year. It’s good to be there in post five.”

"

Dullahan proved during the Blue Grass Stakes how good of a closer he can be when he impressively picked up Hansen in the stretch.

If being near the inside means staying close to the pace, that is a great sign for the eight-to-one Dullahan. 

Follow @t_keen