The Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the moment all 20 horses in the 152nd Run for the Roses get their official starting gate numbers for race day on May 2.
Whether you are in New York, California, Texas or Kentucky itself, this guide covers the exact start time, every TV channel and all free live stream options by US time zone.
What is the Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw?
The post position draw is a gate assignment ceremony held one week before the Kentucky Derby. Officials place numbered balls in a barrel and pull them one at a time. Each pull assigns a horse to a starting gate numbered 1 through 20. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
Gate numbers matter more in the Kentucky Derby than in almost any other race in America. Twenty horses break from a single starting gate and rush into the first turn at the same time. Horses on inside posts face heavy traffic and contact early. Horses on outside posts get cleaner runs but cover more ground around the track.
Since 2000, more than 53% of Kentucky Derby winners started from Post 13 or higher. Post 17 has never produced a winner in the entire history of the gate-era Derby.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw Date and Start Time
The post position draw slots in between Race 3 and Race 4 at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET. The start time can shift a few minutes depending on race pace. Tune in by 2:00 p.m. ET to catch the full draw from the start.
Here are the key details:
- Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Start Time: Approximately 2:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- Position in Schedule: Between Race 3 and Race 4
- Kentucky Oaks Draw: Immediately before (starts around 2:00 p.m. ET)
Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw Time in Every US Time Zone
Kentucky runs on Central Time, not Eastern. Keep that in mind when planning your viewing time.
| Time Zone | Key States | Draw Time |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina | 2:15 p.m. |
| Central Time (CT) | Kentucky, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, Kansas, Wisconsin | 1:15 p.m. |
| Mountain Time (MT) | Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming | 12:15 p.m. |
| Pacific Time (PT) | California, Washington, Oregon | 11:15 a.m. |
| Alaska Time (AKT) | Alaska | 10:15 a.m. |
| Hawaii Time (HST) | Hawaii | 8:15 a.m. |
What TV Channel is the Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw On?
Three confirmed options carry the draw live on April 25:
- WAVE-3 Local NBC affiliate in Louisville. Available in the Louisville metro area on cable, satellite and digital antenna.
- FanDuel TV Primary national broadcast for the draw. Available nationwide on cable and satellite across all 50 states. Covers every day of Derby Week from April 25 through May 2.
- KentuckyDerby.com Official free live stream. No subscription and no account required. Works on any device including phones, tablets and laptops.
NBC’s confirmed Derby coverage starts closer to May 2. Do not count on your local NBC affiliate for the draw.
How to Watch the Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw Free Online
You do not need a cable package to watch the Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw. Here are all your confirmed free options:
KentuckyDerby.com (Completely Free) Open any browser, go to KentuckyDerby.com and find the live stream in the racing section. No sign-up, no credit card and no download required.
FanDuel TV (Free with Account) Free to access with a FanDuel account. No deposit required to create one. Available on the FanDuel TV website and app on iOS and Android.
TwinSpires App Covers the draw live from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET with real-time updates and live odds. Free on iOS and Android.
Watching from Outside the US NBC and Peacock are US-only services. American fans traveling abroad need a VPN to access their subscriptions. NordVPN is the recommended option for live sports streaming. It runs on servers across 137 countries and delivers stable connections for live events. Set it up before you travel.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw Results
This section updates after the draw on April 25. Check back after 2:15 p.m. ET for the full confirmed field.
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | TBD | TBD |
| 9 | TBD | TBD |
| 10 | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | TBD | TBD |
| 14 | TBD | TBD |
| 15 | TBD | TBD |
| 16 | TBD | TBD |
| 17 | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | TBD |
| 19 | TBD | TBD |
| 20 | TBD | TBD |
For a full breakdown of every horse with gate analysis and updated odds, see our Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw Results page.
Why the Post Position Draw Matters for the 2026 Kentucky Derby
No other race in America runs 20 horses over 1 and 1/4 miles. The gate draw shapes the entire race before a single hoof hits the track.
Inside posts face the toughest start. With 20 horses breaking at once, the field pushes toward the rail into the first turn. Horses in Posts 1 and 2 get squeezed and shuffled back before the race settles. No horse has won from Post 1 since Ferdinand in 1986.
Outside posts give horses room off the start. The trade-off is extra distance. A horse six paths off the rail runs about 150 feet farther than a horse on the rail over the full 1 and 1/4 miles.
Post 17 is the worst gate in Derby history. No horse from Post 17 has ever won, placed or shown in the Run for the Roses. Posts 5, 8, 15 and 16 consistently produce top finishers in the modern era.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby carries a $5 million guaranteed purse. Every gate assignment carries real consequences on race day.
2026 Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw FAQ
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw?
The draw starts at approximately 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, April 25, 2026. That is 1:15 p.m. in Kentucky (Central Time), 12:15 p.m. Mountain Time and 11:15 a.m. Pacific Time.
What channel is the 2026 Kentucky Derby post position draw on?
The draw airs on WAVE-3 in Louisville and FanDuel TV nationwide. The official free stream is at KentuckyDerby.com on any device with no subscription needed.
Can I watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw for free?
Yes. KentuckyDerby.com streams the draw live and free with no account required. FanDuel TV is also free with a no-deposit FanDuel account.
How are post positions assigned at the Kentucky Derby?
Officials use a randomized pill draw. Numbered balls go into a barrel and officials pull them one at a time to assign each horse a gate number from 1 to 20.
Does post position matter in the Kentucky Derby?
Yes. Since 2000, more than 53% of Derby winners started from Post 13 or higher. Post 17 has never produced a winner in the entire history of the gate-era Derby.
What time does the 2026 Kentucky Derby itself start?
The race runs on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Churchill Downs. Post time is approximately 6:57 p.m. Eastern Time. NBC, USA Network and Peacock coverage starts at 2:30 p.m. ET.
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw in California?
California fans on Pacific Time watch the draw at 11:15 a.m.
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw in Texas?
Texas fans on Central Time watch the draw at 1:15 p.m., the same local time as Kentucky.
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw in Florida?
Florida fans on Eastern Time watch the draw at 2:15 p.m.
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby draw in New York?
New York fans on Eastern Time watch the draw at 2:15 p.m.
Bookmark this page and return after 2:15 p.m. ET on April 25 for the live results update. The Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Position Draw sets the stage for one of the biggest race days in sports.
For full race day details on May 2 including TV schedule, post time and every free live stream option, visit our Kentucky Derby 2026 guide.
