Kentucky Derby 2015: Post Time, TV Schedule, Post Positions Info

The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby is but a short week away, meaning Churchill Downs is about to be filled with high-class horse enthusiasts primed to kick off the first leg of the Triple Crown.

It only takes 10 furlongs to begin an exciting time in the horse racing season. We're guaranteed to have a Triple Crown hopeful following the onset of the three-race period, something that we might not be able to say after the Preakness Stakes. That alone makes the buzz surrounding the Run for the Roses something special.

Post positions have yet to be determined, though, so we still don't know where each of the horses will start. Some post positions are historically better than others—that will be highlighted below.

Break out your big hats and bright-colored pants. Oh, and make sure you iron those dress shirts. It's Derby time.

Post Time and TV Schedule

Date	Event	Time (ET)	TV
Wed., April 29	Kentucky Derby Draw	5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET	NBCSN
Thu., April 30	Kentucky Derby Access	4 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET	NBCSN
Fri., May 1	Kentucky Oaks	12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. ET	NBCSN
Sat., May 2	Derby Prep	12 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET	NBCSN
Sat., May 2	Kentucky Derby	4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET	NBC

Note: Post time for the Kentucky Derby is approximately 6:24 p.m. ET, via KentuckyDerby.com.

Post Positions Info

Garry Jones/Associated Press

Post positions can make or break a contender's chances at victory at Churchill Downs, mostly because of the struggles associated with the less desirable gates. One would think that starting on the inside would be advantageous, but Christina Moore of AmericasBestRacing.net broke down some of the issues of doing so:

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The shortest way around the track is closest to the rail, so one might naturally think inside posts are advantageous. While this may be true in races with much smaller field size, it is not the case in the Kentucky Derby when a full field of 3-year-olds is trying to find their way to the inside of the track to save ground before the first turn. Horses already on the inside often are subject to bumping and ultimately lose ground or are otherwise impeded.

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Moore also highlighted the problems with beginning on the outside:

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Conversely, horses breaking from the outside gates may seem like they have it easy, with few horses pushing in from their outside and plenty of room. But their goal is to make it within a few paths of the inside rail before the first turn, and with 19 other competitors this doesn’t often happen, resulting in a wide trip around that first turn and a longer journey to the finish line. While it may not seem like much, the turns of the Kentucky Derby account for 40 percent of the race so if a horse is hung wide it could spell trouble.

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There are inherent advantages and disadvantages to certain post positions at Churchill Downs, though a horse can theoretically win from any position.

Since starting gates were implemented in 1930, however, there hasn't been one winner from the No. 17 post. Last year's No. 17, Commanding Curve, finished in second (by 1¾ lengths) behind California Chrome.

Horses who start from here have historically finished in the money 8.3 percent of the time and have an average finish position of 11.06.

Conversely, the horse who earns the No. 10 position is set up for a good run. This is the most successful starting position since 1930, producing winning horses 11.5 percent of the time. Interestingly, the spot's 7.53 average finish is actually just a tick worse than the 7.47 that the No. 5 position boasts.

Last year's No. 10, Wildcat Red, was a major disappointment to improving the history of the position. Wildcat Red finished 18th.

As you can see, post positions aren't the end-all be-all.

The current favorite appears to be American Pharoah. Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde tweets that the horse seems ready to go for the weekend's big event:

And Forde isn't the only one who believes in American Pharoah, evidenced by this tweet from Churchill Downs PR:

American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza (who rode California Chrome last year) are certainly hopeful of receiving a favorable post position during Wednesday's draw, but the obvious physical talents of this horse should make it a contender in the No. 1 post, the No. 20 post and anywhere in between.

Look for American Pharoah to pace the field.

Note: Historical post information courtesy of KentuckyDerby.com.

Kenny DeJohn is a Breaking News Team Featured Columnist. Follow him on Twitter.