2022 Kentucky Derby post positions revealed

The 2022 Kentucky Derby is almost upon us. With the fun set for Churchhill Downs on Saturday, the post positions for the 148th Kentucky Derby were revealed via a drawing on Monday afternoon.

148th Kentucky Derby post positions:

1. Mo Donegal

2. Happy Jack

3. Epicenter

4. Summer Is Tomorrow

5. Smile Happy

6. Messier

7. Crown Pride

8. Charge It

9. Tiz The Bomb

10. Zandon

11. Pioneer of Medina

12. Taiba

13. Simplification

14. Barber Road

15. White Abarrio

16. Cyberknife

17. Classic Causeway

18. Tawny Port

19. Zozos

20. Ethereal Road

According to Vegas Insider, the favorite to win the event at the moment is Zandon (3-1). Afterwards, Epicenter (7-2) and Messier follow (8-1), but if the past is any indication, it’s anyone’s race.

Moreover, NBC Sports detailed some interesting stats regarding the success rate of the post positions.

“Since the starting gate was first introduced at the Derby in 1930, the post positions that have seen the most success are No. 5 (wins in 10.9% of 92 starts), No. 10 (wins in 10.6% of 85 starts) and No. 15 (wins in 10% of 60 starts),” wrote NBC Sports. “Smile Happy (No. 5), Zandon (No. 10) and White Abarrio (No. 15) are in those positions this year.”

Additionally, NBC Sports added that the 17th post position has never yielded a winner in the Kentucky Derby. Drawing the unfortunate post is Classic Causeway, who is currently going off at 30-1 at Vegas Insider.

Finally, the 148th Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, with the post time set for 6:57 p.m. ET. The race will air on NBC and stream on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.

Medina Spirit stripped of 2021 Kentucky Derby victory

Huge news broke out of the horse racing world on earlier this year, as Medina Spirit was stripped of the title of 2021 Kentucky Derby victor. According to Joe Drape of The New York Times, Medina Spirit — who passed away unexpectedly last December — was officially disqualified by Kentucky racing officials on Monday due to a failed drug test after the race.

“Medina Spirit is only the third horse in the 147-year history of the race to receive such a penalty after finishing first,” added Drape. “The decision means the colt’s owner, Amr Zedan, will not collect the $1.8 million first-place check, which was never paid out and which now goes to Mandaloun’s owner, Juddmonte, the racing and breeding enterprise founded by Prince Khalid bin Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who died last year.

“It also erases the Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s seventh Kentucky Derby victory, which was a record.”

Moreover, the aforementioned Baffert will face repercussions, as well. In addition to being stripped of his seventh Kentucky Derby victory, Baffert will have to pay a hefty fine, and serve a 90 day suspension.

“In addition, Baffert was suspended for 90 days beginning March 8 and fined $7,500,” wrote Drape. “The ruling followed a hearing via Zoom on Feb. 14 before a three-member panel of stewards for the Kentucky Horse Racing Association.”

Bob Baffert won’t be at the 2022 Kentucky Derby, but two horses once under his command will be factors — Messier and Taiba.