By Ron Flatter

Kentucky Derby 2023: Starting positions and gate history

By Ron Flatter

May 1, 2023 12:45 pm

The 2023 Kentucky Derby is set to take place Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Twenty horses will compete in the 1 1/4-mile race for a chance to win the coveted blanket of roses.

The starting positions for the race were determined by a random draw on Monday. Here is the full list of starting positions, along with the horse's trainer and jockey:

1. **Epicenter** (Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario)

2. **Zandon** (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat)

3. **Simplification** (Antonio Sano, Jose Ortiz)

4. **Messier** (Tim Yakteen, John Velazquez)

5. **Cyberknife** (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux)

6. **Crown Pride** (Koichi Shintani, Christophe Lemaire)

7. **Mo Donegal** (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.)

8. **Rich Strike** (Eric Reed, Sonny Leon)

9. **Tiz the Bomb** (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.)

10. **Barber Road** (John Ortiz, Reylu Gutierrez)

11. **Tawny Port** (Jack Sisterson, Julien Leparoux)

12. **Classic Causeway** (Brian Lynch, Tyler Gaffalione)

13. **White Abarrio** (Saffie Joseph Jr., Tyler Gaffalione)

14. **Summer Is Tomorrow** (Bhupat Seemar, Mickael Barzalona)

15. **Howling Time** (Dale Romans, Luis Saez)

16. **Smile Happy** (Kenny McPeek, Jose Ortiz)

17. **Pioneer of Medina** (Bob Baffert, John Velazquez)

18. **Ethereal Road** (D. Wayne Lukas, Jose Valdivia Jr.)

19. **Golden Glider** (Mark Casse, Julien Leparoux)

20. **Damon Runyan** (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez)

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious races in the world, and it is always an exciting event. With a field of talented horses and a wide-open race, this year's Derby is sure to be one for the ages.