Kentucky Derby Post Positions 2013: Which Horse Is in Best Position to Win Race?
With Wednesday evening’s post-position draw in the books, it’s now time to start focusing efforts on predicting a winner of the 2013 Kentucky Derby.
Prior to the selection, I had a great feeling about Goldencents. After drawing the No. 8 post, he’s in even better shape to win the Run for the Roses on Saturday.
The colt—whom many know because Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino owns a small piece of him—is one of the fastest in the field and is extremely capable of reaching the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Doug O’Neill, the controversial but undeniably effective trainer behind I’ll Have Another in 2012, is working with Goldencents this year and looking to put another Triple Crown jewel in his crown.
O’Neill was elated when he found out that his thoroughbred would be starting at the No. 8 stall, telling ESPN: “It should be perfect for him [Goldencents.]"
The oddsmakers apparently agree that this is a “perfect” gate for Goldencents, who—at 5-1 odds—is just behind Orb (7-2) and Verrazano (4-1). He’s certainly expected to hit the board at the conclusion of the race, so let’s see why he should be able to accomplish that and possibly even win.
Most obvious is his speed, as Goldencents clocked in at an impressive Beyer Speed Figure of 105 during his notable Santa Anita Derby victory. That’s ahead of Orb (97), Verrazano (95) and the rest of the contenders in this competition.
He has the stamina to go wire-to-wire, which is why his gate is so important.
The colt is far enough outside that he’s not trapped in and in serious danger of getting stuck behind the pack in traffic, but he’s close enough to the rail that jockey Kevin Krigger will be able to navigate him inside quickly and not lose precious time taking wide turns.
While many horses that wind up adorned with the blanket of roses aren’t leading at the turn and prefer to make a late surge, Goldencents has the endurance to keep the potential stalkers at bay.
The field is weaker than it has been in recent years and there isn’t a horse quick enough to catch him at the end.
If he’s able to get out to an early lead and get his Beyer number up above 100 in short order, I believe Goldencents can hold on for a rare wire-to-wire victory.
2013 Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky. | Purse: $2.18 Million | Grade I | Distance: 10 furlongs | Post Time: 7-7:30 p.m. ET
| Black Onyx | Kelly Breen | 50-1 |
| Charming Kitten | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| Falling Sky | John Terranova, II | 50-1 |
| Fear the Kitten (AE) | Mike Maker | 50-1 |
| Frac Daddy | Kenny McPeek | 50-1 |
| Giant Finish | Tony Dutrow | 50-1 |
| Goldencents | Doug O'Neill | 5-1 |
| Golden Soul | Dallas Stewart | 50-1 |
| Itsmyluckyday | Edward Plesa, Jr. | 15-1 |
| Java's War | Kenneth McPeek | 15-1 |
| Lines of Battle | Aidan O'Brien | 30-1 |
| Mylute | Tom Amoss | 15-1 |
| Normandy Invasion | Chad Brown | 12-1 |
| Orb | Claude McGaughey III | 7-2 |
| Overanalyze | Todd Pletcher | 15-1 |
| Oxbow | D. Lukas | 30-1 |
| Palace Malice | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| Revolutionary | Todd Pletcher | 10-1 |
| Verrazano | Todd Pletcher | 4-1 |
| Vyjack | Rudy Rodriguez | 15-1 |
| Will Take Charge | D. Lukas | 20-1 |
*Odds via KentuckyDerby.com, current as of Thursday, May 2 at 7 a.m. ET
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
