Everything you need to know about the 2021 Kentucky Derby post positions
At 0h03, on April 28, 2021 • By CHURCHILL DOWNS
Post positions for the 2021 Kentucky Derby were drawn on Tuesday morning, triggering the annual debate among bettors as to which horses drew well, which drew poorly, and which might enjoy ideal trips in the “Run for the Roses.”
Some assumptions will be anecdotal, based on gut feelings and the relative draws of key contenders. Other conclusions will be based on cold, hard data—specifically, the post position statistics meticulously compiled by Churchill Downs since the starting gate was first introduced for the 1930 Kentucky Derby.
If you find yourself asking any of these questions, we’ve got you covered with a convenient chart breaking down all the Kentucky Derby post position data:
| Post | 2021 Derby Starter | Post Position Record |
Win % | ITM % | Last Winner |
| 1 | Known Agenda | 91-8-5-5 | 8.8% | 19.8% | Ferdinand (1986) |
| 2 | Like the King | 91-7-5-13 | 7.7% | 27.5% | Affirmed (1978) |
| 3 | Brooklyn Strong | 91-5-6-8 | 5.5% | 20.9% | Real Quiet (1998) |
| 4 | Keepmeinmind | 91-5-6-4 | 5.5% | 16.5% | Super Saver (2010) |
| 5 | Sainthood | 91-10-8-4 | 11.0% | 24.2% | Always Dreaming (2017) |
| 6 | O Besos | 91-2-8-3 | 2.2% | 14.3% | Sea Hero (1993) |
| 7 | Mandaloun | 90-7-6-6 | 7.8% | 21.1% | Justify (2018) |
| 8 | Medina Spirit | 90-8-5-5 | 8.9% | 20.0% | Mine That Bird (2009) |
| 9 | Hot Rod Charlie | 87-4-5-8 | 4.6% | 19.5% | Riva Ridge (1972) |
| 10 | Midnight Bourbon | 84-9-6-9 | 10.7% | 28.6% | Giacomo (2005) |
| 11 | Dynamic One | 80-2-6-4 | 2.5% | 15.0% | Winning Colors (1988) |
| 12 | Helium | 76-3-3-3 | 3.9% | 11.8% | Canonero II (1971) |
| 13 | Hidden Stash | 74-5-5-7 | 6.8% | 23.0% | Nyquist (2016) |
| 14 | Essential Quality | 64-2-6-5 | 3.1% | 20.3% | Carry Back (1961) |
| 15 | Rock Your World | 59-6-2-1 | 10.2% | 15.3% | Authentic (2020) |
| 16 | King Fury | 48-4-3-3 | 8.3% | 20.8% | Animal Kingdom (2011) |
| 17 | Highly Motivated | 41-0-1-2 | 0.0% | 7.3% | None |
| 18 | Super Stock | 33-2-4-0 | 6.1% | 18.2% | Country House (2019) |
| 19 | Soup and Sandwich | 28-1-1-0 | 3.6% | 7.1% | I’ll Have Another (2012) |
| 20 | Bourbonic | 17-1-0-1 | 5.9% | 11.8% | Big Brown (2008) |
