2016 Kentucky Derby Odds: Betting Favorite Nyquist Draws Post Position 13

Nyquist is hoping post position No. 13 is lucky for him, jockey Mario Gutierrez and trainer Doug O'Neill in the 2016 Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The favorite at 3-1 betting odds at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark, Nyquist is looking to follow American Pharoah and California Chrome as comparable chalk to win the Derby each of the past two years.

Gutierrez won with O'Neill on I'll Have Another four years ago, and they will believe Nyquist has what it takes to stay unbeaten in his eighth straight race. While history suggests No. 13 is not among the best post positions for the Derby, it is also not one of the worst.

Four previous winners have started at No. 13, the last coming in 2004 with Smarty Jones. Four of the past five winners have started the Triple Crown race with a double-digit post position, including I'll Have Another (19). The horse beginning in the No. 16 post position has won twice during that stretch, with Shagaf sitting in that spot this year.

Shagaf has won in three of his four starts, most recently placing fifth in the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 9. He previously won the Gotham Stakes and is listed at 28-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Exaggerator is the 15-2 second choice to win at Churchill Downs and will start in the No. 11 post position. Ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux and trained by his brother Keith, Exaggerator will be trying to become the first horse since Brokers Tip in 1933 and fourth overall to win from that post. He is coming off a win in the Santa Anita Derby.

The most successful post positions in the Kentucky Derby historically have been at No. 5 (13 winners), 1 (12), 4 and 8 (11) and 10 (10). This year, Gun Runner (9-1) will occupy No. 5 to start, with Trojan Nation (66-1) at 1, Mo Tom (22-1) at 4, Lani (28-1) at 8 and Whitmore (18-1) at 10.

Gun Runner finished first in the Kentucky Derby point standings for qualifying races leading up to the fastest two minutes in sports with 151, winning four of five races he entered, including the Louisiana Derby on March 26.