Kentucky Derby Post Draw: 2016 Start Time, Entry Lineup and TV Schedule
While a horse's post position at the Kentucky Derby doesn't guarantee success or ensure failure, it's nonetheless an important factor in horse racing's preeminent event.
Horses that like to set the pace normally aren't best suited to start out wide. Horses that like to bide their time and make a late push are in danger of getting trapped against the rail if they start all the way inside. Some horses don't handle the larger field at the Derby well and can get swallowed up if they have a post in the middle of the field.ย
So yes, Wednesday night's post position draw matters for a number of reasons. Let's take a look at the viewing information for that event and the Derby itself, along with a forecast of the projected field and a preview of some of the event's top contenders.
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Viewing Information
| Post Draw | Wednesday, May 4 | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Race Day | Saturday, May 7 | 6:44 p.m. | NBCSN (12-4 p.m.), NBC ( 4-7:30 p.m.) |
Expected Field and Odds
| Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | 10-3 |
| Exaggerator | J. Keith Desormeaux | 8-1 |
| Mohaymen | Kiaran McLaughlin | 8-1 |
| Gun Runner | Steven Asmussen | 10-1 |
| Brody's Cause | Dale Romans | 12-1 |
| Destin | Todd Pletcher | 14-1 |
| Mo Tom | Thomas Amoss | 16-1 |
| Suddenbreakingnews | Donnie Von Hemel | 16-1 |
| Mor Spirit | Bob Baffert | 18-1 |
| Outwork | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| Creator | Steven Asmussen | 20-1 |
| Danzing Candy | Clifford Sise Jr. | 25-1 |
| Shagaf | Chad Brown | 25-1 |
| My Man Sam | Chad Brown | 25-1 |
| Lani | Koji Maeda | 30-1 |
| Whitmore | Ron Moquett | 50-1 |
| Tom's Ready | Dallas Stewart | 50-1 |
| Trojan Nation | Paddy Gallagher | - |
| Oscar Nominated | Ken and Sarah Ramsey | - |
| Majesto | Gustavo Delgaro | - |
Preview
The Kentucky Derby has been controlled by the favorites in recent years, withย Orb, California Chrome and American Pharoah winning as favorites in the last three runnings, perย Childs Walker of the Washington Post.
If that trend holds, Nyquist will be opening the Triple Crown season with a win.
Trainer Doug OโNeill and jockeyย Mario Gutierrez have a horse on their hands that is undefeated in seven races, and while he isn't the most physically gifted horse, he resembles past Derby winners in one very important way, as Walker noted:
"But this California-based colt possesses a trait that served California Chrome and American Pharoah wellโtactical speed. This means jockey Gutierrez will be able to place him wherever he chooses, likely a few paces off the lead, and make a move whenever the race dictates. Unlike many of his top rivals, Nyquist is not wedded to a fast start or a late charge. He has proven he can win in different scenarios.
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Versatility is crucial in such a large field, where the best-laid plans of a jockey can be quickly erased within the mayhem of 19 other charging horses. And trainer Bob Baffert certainly thinks Nyquist has earned his place as the favorite.
โNyquist, he hasnโt done anything wrong," Baffert told Ed McNamara of Newsday. โPedigree in America is so diluted now. Itโs how good you are."
O'Neill added, "Nyquist has been fortunate enough to hit the wire first in all of his starts, and weโre optimistic he can keep it going."
The real question is whether there's a horse actually capable of beating Nyquist in the field.ย Exaggerator has lost to Nyquist three times.ย Mohaymen lost to Nyquist by eight lengths at the Florida Derby, meanwhile, after winning his first five races.ย
โNo. 1, I think we were on the worst part of the track,โ Mohaymenย trainer Kiaranย McLaughlin said of the Florida Derby, per David Grening of DRF.com. "No. 2, we traveled 54 feet farther [than Nyquist] on the worst part of the track. No one was going to win from out there.โ
Mohaymen is probably the most likely horse to defeat Nyquist, though any strategic slip-up, and Nyquist will blow pastย Mohaymen, as he proved in Florida.ย
Gun Runner is an interesting horse to watch as well, however. Like Nyquist, Gun Runner has excellent tactical speed and isn't locked into one style of race. The horse has yet to lose in four races, most notably hisย Louisiana Derby conquest.
Positioning will be key for Gun Runner. If the horse isn't able to stay in the vicinity of Nyquist for the homestretch, it will be tough for Gun Runner to catch up with the favorite, who has a very strong late push of his own.
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