Kentucky Derby 2012 Post Positions: Horses Who Must Get to the Outside

As a general rule, it makes more sense that getting the inside lane would be good for a race around a track, but as it turns out, some horses in the Kentucky Derby will enjoy the outside. 

Hey, to each horse his own. If he wants to race an extra tenth of a mile (I did the math. It checks out), then so be it. 

With that being said, it is still beneficial for some of these horses to get to the outside, and thus beneficial for them to have a post position in the 10 to 20 range (even though historically the winner comes somewhere from gates 1 to 10). 

So here's a look at horses who want to get the outside, and whether their post position (complete list can be found here) will help or hurt them.

Union Rags (No. 4): Hurts

Union Rags continues to be a popular pick to take home the roses, despite finishing a disappointing third place at the Florida Derby (Grade 1) last month.

But let's take a look at that race.

Union Rags got bottled up on the inside, and despite making a solid comeback in the final stretch, wasn't able to catch Take Charge Indy, who is much better near the rail. 

Michael Matz wants his horse to get to the outside, which is why the No. 4 spot hurts, and he didn't sound too optimistic about the position.

“We’re going to have him run out of there a little bit, but that’s not the worst thing in the world," Matz told John Asher of KentuckyDerby.com.

I'm staying away from Union Rags in this one. 

Gemologist (No. 15): Helps

Gemologist is still, according to the oddsmakers, just the third-best bet for the Kentucky Derby, but this position should boost the colt's value. 

Much like Union Rags, Gemologist likes to get on the outside and not have to worry about all the early fast starters in the middle. This position makes that easily possible, and trainer Todd Pletcher reinforced that notion to Asher.

"

 “Perfect. It worked out perfect. I love the 15, the first one in the auxiliary gate. There’s a little space there. He’s outside all the speed. 

"

This just adds more fuel to the fire for this horse, who is being undervalued despite being undefeated in his career. 

Went The Day Well (No. 13): Helps

According to trainer Graham Motion (awesome name, by the way), they were hoping for a position in between 10 and 16, so this is "perfect" for Went The Day Well.

"The speed seems to be all around us, which is fine. I'm very happy where we are," Motion told Asher.

At 20/1, you won't find many better value picks than this horse who is in the perfect post position. 

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