Winners and losers from Kentucky Derby 2023 draw: Todd Pletcher's trio in prime position
After his Known Agenda drew the No. 1 post position for the 2021 Kentucky Derby, trainer Todd Pletcher joked he was “weeping openly.”
Known Agenda was the fourth choice in the race at 9-1 odds but finished ninth, another victim of the No. 1 post that hasn’t produced a winner in the Run for the Roses since Ferdinand in 1986.
But Pletcher had reason to smile Monday after the draw for this year’s Kentucky Derby, as all three of his contenders drew between the Nos. 5 and 15 posts and avoided the dreaded inside and outside positions.
Forte, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, was the first horse drawn and got the No. 15 spot. Tapit Trice, the second choice at 5-1 odds, got post No. 5. Kingsbarns, another promising contender for Pletcher at 12-1 odds, drew No. 6.
No reason for Pletcher to weep this time.
“I was glad I wasn’t 1 right off the bat,” Pletcher said, referring to Known Agenda. “We talked about a range we were happy with, and it was 4 to 16. Fell within that range.”
A full field of 20 — plus three also-eligibles — was entered for the Kentucky Derby, which has a post time of approximately 6:57 p.m. Saturday and will be televised live by NBC.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from Monday's draw:
Kentucky Derby post positions: Todd Pletcher's Forte, Tapit Trice lead the field
Final jockeys set: Here's who will ride Kingsbarns, Raise Cain in the Kentucky Derby
Winners
Pletcher’s trio: The trainer said the post positions suit the styles of his three contenders, with Kingsbarns likely to be up front early, Forte in the middle of the pack and Tapit Trice coming late.
“It allows us to let the horses run their races,” Pletcher said. “In Tapit Trice’s case, it didn’t matter what post position he drew. We needed to get out of the gate a little bit and get some position. Same thing with Forte, and Kingsbarns is going to have to judge how quick the pace is on where he wants to be.”
Two Phil’s: Trainer Larry Rivelli said the No. 3 spot will fit well for Two Phil's, the Jeff Ruby Steaks winner.
“He can run a stalking style,” Rivelli said. “He usually likes to be covered up, so he’ll be behind two or three horses that have speed in front of him. At least you don’t have to worry about navigating yourself down from the 18 post.
“When he’s behind a horse, he relaxes and doesn’t pull the jockey as much. If he gets a trip like that, tucked in behind one of the two or three speed horses, it will be perfect.”
The last Kentucky Derby winner from post No. 3 was Real Quiet in 1998. Epicenter was the runner-up last year from post No. 3.
Kentucky Oaks post positions: Lineup and latest odds for race at Churchill Downs
Meet the Kentucky Derby field: Jockeys, records, trainers and everything you need to know about all 20 horses
Losers
The Japanese horses: If you believe in post-position history, Derma Sotogake and Continuar were the unlucky ones Monday.
Derma Sotogake drew the No. 17 post, which is the only spot never to produce a Kentucky Derby winner. The No. 17 post is 0 for 43 all-time, the best finish coming in 1988 when Forty Niner was the runner-up to Winning Colors.
Continuar drew the No. 20 spot, which leads to the longest trip but does have a bit of history on its side as Big Brown (2008) and Rich Strike (2022) both won from the spot.
Kentucky Derby preview: Keith Desormeaux's Confidence Game has a chance to rewrite the record books
Hit Show and Verifying: Louisville trainer Brad Cox got good news with Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire getting the No. 14 post, but two of his other contenders — No. 1 Hit Show and No. 2 Verifying — drew on the inside.
Cox remained hopeful about the chances for Hit Show and Verifying.
“You can get a bad trip in the Derby from the 20 hole or the 10 hole or the 1 hole,” he said. “It can get a little tight (inside). Hopefully it doesn’t. We’ll see how it works out.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby post-position draw 2023: Todd Pletcher in prime position
