Outside Speed Makes for Interesting Derby Set Up

When the draw for post positions for the 2016 Kentucky Derby was made, an interesting scenario had developed. In a race lacking more than a few horses in the 20-horse field that will want (or need) the lead out of the gate, all the true speed horses were assigned gate positions from #12 and up. This makes for a race set up whereby jockeys will have to make some tough decisions early, and tactics will play a big part in the outcome.

Danzing Candy will have to work hard early

The most obvious question will involve Danzing Candy, who will break from post position #20. Before the race even starts, veteran jockey Mike Smith is in a tough position. For one thing, no horse has ever won the Derby out of the #20 hole. And in Danzing Candy's case, he has never won a race where he didn't have the lead at the first call. When the gate opens, he's going to have to hustle to get clear of the 19 horses inside of him to get to where he wants to be. Smith is going to have to use up a lot of his horse in the first couple of hundred yards, leaving little in the tank for when the running really gets going.

Favorite Nyquist likely to get good position

The other two "speed" horses in the race include Outwork (#15) who led every step of the way to win the Wood Memorial, but came staggering home to do so, and the pre-race favorite, Nyquist (#13). Of these, Nyquist is in the best spot, relatively near the middle of the gate, where he should be able to get good position to sit just off the leaders early, and be ready to pounce when they turn for home.