Re: 20 Years of Derby Rail (652 Views)

Yes, they first used it in 2020. The gate is something like 15 feet shorter than when they used the auxiliary gate before, so the first post is supposedly not pointing directly into the far turn as it used to do. It is tough to tell but when you look at the replay from 2020 where the first gate is in relation to the rail as the one gate is empty and that might have influenced the gate placement. I also had read that they were going to alternate inside and outside with the open gates, but last year they left the first gate open and then left the remaining four outside gates clear as well. In any case you still have potentially 19 or so other horses bearing down towards the inside to get position before the turn.

In my opinion, if you liked Known Agenda yesterday, I would not immediately toss him today because he drew the rail. Given the history, his morning line odds will likely drift up some and you will be compensated to a degree with the rail draw. Plus, who else do you want on your horse in that situation other than Irad? I think it also makes him the most likely horse to get DQ’d, but he was already that horse anyways.