The 2011 Kentucky Derby gets underway on Saturday and the post positions were drawn on Wednesday afternoon. The post positions are a key part of the Kentucky Derby and can play a deciding factor in how many of the contenders run. A position on the inside creates a bunching situation as the horses break for the rail while an outside spot makes getting to said rail much more difficult. And after Wednesday's post draw, we have a better idea of which horses may have a clean-break on Saturday as they run for the roses.
Dialed In, the favorite in the early odds, received an excellent post position as he was drawn in the No. 8 spot. But a few other contenders weren't so lucky. Uncle Mo, second in the odds at 9/2, is way outside in the No. 18 hole. Uncle Mo will be flanked by contenders on his left and right, with Soldat at No. 17 and Nehro at No. 19. All three are among the favorites in the 2011 Kentucky Derby.
Here is the full starting order for Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
No. 1: Archarcharch
No. 2: Brilliant Speed
No. 3: Twice The Appeal
No. 4: Stay Thirsty
No. 5: Decisive Moment
No. 6: Comma To The Top
No. 7: Pants On Fire
No. 8: Dialed In
No. 9: Derby Kitten
No. 10: Twinspired
No. 11: Master Of Hounds
No. 12: Santiva
No. 13: Mucho Macho Man
No. 14: Shackleford
No. 15: Midnight Interlude
No. 16: Animal Kingdom
No. 17: Soldat
No. 18: Uncle Mo
No. 19: Nehro
No. 20: Watch Me Go
We'll be back with more on the race in our 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. For more on the race, head over to SB Nation's Kentucky Derby StoryStream or check out And Down The Stretch They Come.