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Kentucky Derby 2021 Post Positions: Draw Start Time, Horses Lineup and More
April 26, 2021
The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, but the post position draw is first on the schedule of events.
Each year, the Derby field is limited to 20 horses. The entrants will be assigned a gate at random.
The draw is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, at 11 a.m. ET.
Live streams are available via Churchill Downs' social media pages, KentuckyDerby.com or Courier-Journal.com.
Current Kentucky Derby Field
1. Essential Quality
2. Hot Rod Charlie
3. Super Stock
4. Like the King
5. Known Agenda
6. Rock Your World
7. Bourbonic
8. Medina Spirit
9. Midnight Bourbon
10. Mandaloun
11. Highly Motivated
12. Helium
13. Soup and Sandwich
14. Dynamic One
15. Sainthood
16. Hidden Stash
17. O Besos
18. King Fury
19. Keepmeinmind
20. Brooklyn Strong
Likely starters as of Sunday, April 25, via KentuckyDerby.com.
Latest Field Updates
The days leading up to the 2021 Kentucky Derby draw have included a steady stream of defections from the field.
Most recently, Caddo River exited the list of possible starters. The colt has an elevated temperature and bloodwork that showed signs of an infection, trainer Brad H. Cox said, according to Marcus Hersh of the Daily Racing Form.
Caddo River's departure opened a space for Brooklyn Strong, who isn't officially in the field but is expected to run.
"If the work is how I like [Monday] we're coming," trainer Danny Velazquez said, per Hersh.
In previous days, several other horses left the Derby contingent.
Dream Shake will instead run the Pat Day Mile, an undercard race at Churchill Downs this weekend. Hozier could have replaced Dream Shake, but trainer Bob Baffert told Horse Racing Nation that Hozier would not be ready in time.
Because of their removals, King Fury—a son of 2007 Preakness Stakes winner Curlin—entered the field.
Additionally, trainer Peter Miller said Get Her Number will bypass the Kentucky Derby, according to Churchill Downs PR. As a result, Keepmeinmind moved into the field.
Starrininmydreams would've been the next alternate behind Brooklyn Strong. However, per Byron King of BloodHorse, trainer Dallas Stewart said the colt is headed for the Pat Day Mile.
If any other horses withdraw, the 2021 Kentucky Derby field will shrink; there are zero remaining alternates. Last year, the Derby had 15 entries—the smallest number since 1998.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.