(Getty)
On Wednesday afternoon, we’ll know where each horse in the 2016 Kentucky Derby will be starting.
The post position draw isn’t the be-all-end-all factor in determining how a thoroughbred will fare in The Run for the Roses, but there’s no question that it’s important.
For example, the inside three positions have produced zero winners in the last 17 years. Although it’s a long 1.25-mile trek, being pinned on the rail at the start of the race can prove far too much to overcome.
On the flip side, posts No. 5, 15 and 16 have produced 9–or 53.0 percent of– the winners in the last 17 races. More and more frequently, jockeys seem to prefer the middle-to-outside of the main gate, which contains the first 14 spots, or the very inside of the auxiliary gate, which contains the last six spots. Last year’s winner, American Pharoah, came from the first post in the auxiliary gate, No. 15.
So yeah, the race may not be until Saturday. But this is undoubtedly crucial. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the draw:
2016 Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Viewing Info
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: NBC Sports Network
How to Watch 2016 Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Live Stream
The post position draw can be streamed live online via NBC Sports Live Extra. You’ll need to sign-in with the username or email address and password you use with your cable, satellite or TV provider to access the stream.
It can also be watched via the NBC Sports Live Extra app, which is free to download at the App store, the Google Play store, the Windows store or for Roku.