Where to watch Kentucky Derby post position draw 2026: Date, time, TV channel, horses for Churchill Downs race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One week out from the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, it's time to determine post positions for the 20-horse field. 

Starting position can be a key factor in a horse's chances of winning the race, with some gates historically more likely to produce winners than others and one in particular — No. 17 — still awaiting its first champion. Last year's winner, Sovereignty, initially drew post 18 but started from 16 due to a pair of scratches. 

Early betting favorites in the 2026 field are the Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade along with a pair of horses trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado and Commandment, who all carry odds of 6-1 or better entering draw day. 

Which gates will the favorites draw? Here's everything you need to know to watch as post positions are determined for the 2026 Derby. 

When is the Kentucky Derby post position draw?

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 2:15 p.m. ET

The 2026 Kentucky Derby draw is set to begin Saturday at about 2:15 p.m. ET, earlier than in recent years when the post positions were determined in the evening. 

The draw will occur between the third and fourth races of Saturday's program at Churchill Downs and immediately after the Kentucky Oaks draw, which will begin shortly after 2 p.m. ET.

Where to watch Kentucky Derby post position draw 2026

• TV channels: FanDuel TV (national), WAVE (local)
• Live stream:DIRECTV

The Kentucky Derby draw will air on WAVE in the Louisville area and be broadcast nationally by FanDuel TV (formerly TVG). Fans in the region or around the country can stream the event live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.

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Kentucky Derby horses 2026

The entry list has not yet been finalized, but the top 20 horses in the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard will be in line to run. As many as four additional horses can enter as "also-eligibles" and potentially move into the field with a scratch next week. 

The current leaderboard is below:

When is the Kentucky Derby in 2026? 

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET

The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be run in its traditional slot on the first Saturday in May. Post time for the race at Churchill Downs is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. 

Kentucky Derby winners by post position

History shows horses on the inside, starting from positions one to 10, are much more likely to win the Kentucky Derby than those starting on the outside.

Here are the all-time Derby winners by post position: