Post Position
Also called: the draw, post
The post position is the numbered starting-gate stall a horse is assigned, drawn at random — from the rail (post 1) outward.
Post position can matter a lot: an inside post saves ground but risks getting boxed in along the rail; an outside post in a big field can mean a wide, ground-losing trip. Certain tracks, distances, and running styles favor certain posts, which is part of why placement is a skill.
Examples
- arrow_rightHe drew post 1 in a twelve-horse field — a tough spot for a horse that likes to come from off the pace.
- arrow_rightShe got a clean outside draw and could sit just off the leaders without getting hung wide.