Road to the Kentucky Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby /ˈdɜrbi/ is a points system which features 34 stakes races for 2 and 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The point system replaces the previous system which consisted of about 185 graded stakes races worldwide. The series is divided into two phases, the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. The prep season consists of 17 races on dirt or synthetic surfaces over distances of at least one mile that typically are run between late September and late February. Points are awarded to the top 4 finishers in each race on a 10-4-2-1 scale. The championship season consists of two legs and a "wild card" round. The first leg includes eight races with a 50-20-10-5 scale. The second leg includes seven races with a 100-40-20-10 scale. The "wild card" consists of one race and has a 10-4-2-1 scale.[1]

The top 20 point earners can earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate if at least 20 horses enter the race. Up to 24 horses may enter the race and four horses can be listed as "also eligible" and would be ranked in order accordingly in case any horse(s) be scratched prior to the race. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker to get into the race will be earnings in non-restricted stakes races, whether or not they are graded. In the event of a tie, those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other. If an owner wants a filly to run in the race, she is eligible, but she'll have to earn points in the same races as the colts and geldings.[2][3] Horses listed as "also eligible" are not allowed to participate in the race once wagering is opened.[4]

History

The Road to the Kentucky Derby point system was created to establish a clear, practical and understandable path to the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, according to the official website of Churchill Downs. The previous system determining the entrants to the Kentucky Derby was too confusing for the general public, based on a poll conducted by Churchill Downs which showed 83% of respondents stating they did not understand how horses became starters for the race. As a result, graded stakes earnings criteria, which was used since 1986, was replaced by the points system.[2][3][5] In 2013, the series consisted of 36 races but has since been reduced to 34.[1][6] A nomination entry fee is required to be paid for eligibility. For 2013, horses born in 2010 were eligible and the fee was $600 which was to be paid by Jan. 26, 2013. However, a late entry fee of $6000 could have paid by March 23, 2013 to gain eligibility for nomination. In addition, owners were required to pay $25,000 to enter the Derby by May 1, 2013, and an additional $25,000 to start. If there were less than 24 nominees entered, a horse could be supplemented for $200,000.[7]

2013 season

The 2013 season consisted of 36 races, 19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 17 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season.[2][3][5]

2014 season

The 2014 season consisted of 34 races, 17 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 17 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season.[2][3][5][6][8]

2015 season

The 2015 season consisted of 35 races, 19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season.

Standings

Updated April 29, 2015.[9]

Rank Horse Points Earnings Trainer Owner References
1 International Star 171 $940,979 Michael J. Maker Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K. [9]
2 Dortmund 170 $1,230,000 Bob Baffert Kaleem Shah, Inc. [9]
3 Carpe Diem 164 $1,470,000 Todd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC [9]
4 American Pharoah 160 $1,410,000 Bob Baffert Zayat Stables, LLC [9]
5 Frosted 113 $766,200 Kiaran McLaughlin Godolphin Racing LLC [9]
6 Mubtaahij 100 $1,400,000 Mike de Kock Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum [9]
7 Materiality 100 $595,200 Todd A. Pletcher Alto Racing, LLC [9]
8 El Kabeir 95 $710,792 John P. Terranova, II Zayat Stables, LLC [9]
9 Upstart 76 $807,680 Richard A. Violette, Jr. Ralph M. Evans [9]
10 Far Right 62 $585,906 Ron Moquett LaPenta and Rosenblum [9]
11 Itsaknockout 60 $288,560 Todd A. Pletcher Starlight Racing (Wolf/Lucarelli) [9]
12 Firing Line 58 $530,000 Simon Callaghan Arnold Zetcher LLC[9]
13 Danzig Moon 45 $217,500 Mark Caase John C. Oxley[9]
14 War Story 44 $195,000 Thomas M. Amoss Dunn, Christopher T. and Loooch Racing Stables, Inc.[9]
15 Tencendur 41 $214,500 George Weaver Philip S. Birsh [9]
16 Stanford 40 $150,800 Todd Pletcher Stonestreet Stables LLC [9]
17 Mr. Z 34 $625,826 D. Wayne Lukas Zayat Stables, LLC[9]
18 Ocho Ocho Ocho 30 $760,250 James M. Cassidy DP Racing, LLC[9]
19 Bolo 30 $214,980 Carla Gaines Golden Pegasus RAcing Inc. & Mack[9]
--- Prospect Park 30 $130,000 Cliff Sise Jr. Pam & Martin Wygod [9]
--- Madefromlucky 30 $200,000 Todd Pletcher Cheyenne Stables LLC & Mac Nichol [9]
20 Keen Ice 22 $136,520 Dale L. Romans Donegal Racing [9]
--- Daredevil 20 $339,600 Todd A. Pletcher Let's Go Stable and WinStar Farm LLC[9]
--- Tiz Shea D 20 $110,000 William I. Mott Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Brous Stable LLC (Nils Brous) & Gary Barber [9]
21 Frammento 20 $92,800 Nick Zito Mossarosa[9]
22 Tale of Verve 0 $54,640 Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke [10]
--- Calculator 14 $180,000 Peter Miller Richard C. Pell [9]
--- Classy Class 13 $85,000 Kiaran P. McLaughlin Cheyenne Stables LLC[9]
--- Texas Red 12 $1,176,000 J. Keith Desormeaux Brehm, Erich, Detmar, Wayne, Michaels, Lee, Desormeaux, et al.[9]
--- The Truth Or Else 11 $173,500 Kenneth G. McPeek Harold Lerner LLC[9]
--- Leave the Light On 10 $240,000 Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables, Inc. and Lawrence, William H. [9]
--- Far From Over 10 $150,000 Todd A. Pletcher Black Rock Thoroughbreds, LLP [9]
--- Pain and Misery 10 $145,350 Henry Dominguez Black Gold Racing [9]
24 Metaboss 10 $136,450 Jeff Bonde M.J. Arndt, S.M. McFetridge, D. Preiss, M. Metanovic & C. Azcarate [9]
--- Lucky Player 10 $97,831 Steven M. Asmussen Jerry Durant [9]
--- Divining Rod 10 $75,000 Arnaud Delacour Lael Stables (Roy & Gretchen Jackson) [9]
25 Firespike 10 $51,816 Michael J. Maker Skychai Racing LLC, Charles Kevin Warner & Sand Dollar Stable LLC[9]
--- Tiznow R J 7 $72,000 Steven M. Asmussen Mike McCarty [9]
--- Lord Nelson 6 $228,571 Bob Baffert Peachtree Stable (John Fort) [9]
--- Rock Shandy 6 $56,000 Peter Miller Donegal Racing[9]
--- St. Joe Bay 6 $43,000 Peter Miller Altamira Racing Stable & David A. Bernsen[9]
26 Toasting Master 5 $21,000 Dale Romans West Point Thoroughbreds[9]
---Task Force Glory 5 $29,625 Mike Maker Ken & Sarah Ramsey [9]
--- Bayerd 4 $266,000 Steven M. Asmussen Clark O. Brewster[9]
---Cross the Line 4 $100,000 Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer, Todaro, Live Your Dream Racing Stable, Sigband et alia [9]
---Nasa 4 $40,000 John C. Servis Someday Farm [9]
--- Bluegrass Singer 2 $118,945 Marcus J. Vitali Crossed Sabres Farm [9]
---Hashtag Bourbon 2 $74,117 Kellyn Gorder Bourbon Lane Stable [9]
--- Hollywood Critic 2 $35,528 Thomas Drury, Jr. Bruce Lunsford [9]
--- General Bellamy 2 $25,000 William I. Mott Bach Stables LLC [9]
--- Eagle 2 $23,902 Neil J. Howard W.S. Farish[9]
--- The Great War 1 $215,662 Wesley Ward Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Joseph Allen LLC[9]
--- Private Prospect 1 $138,000 Michael Campbell Mellon Patch Inc. [9]
--- Bench Warrant 1 $91,890 John Sadler Doubledown Stables Inc. [9]
--- Danny Boy 1 $59,544 Dale Romans Donegal Racing (Jerry Crawford) [9]
--- Juan and Bina 1 $40,330 Gustavo Delgado Grupo 7C Racing Stable [9]
---Another Lemon Drop 1 $25,500 Phil Bauer Rigney Racing LLC (Richard Rigney) [9]
---Tough Customer 1 $25,000 Wayne Catalano Gary & Mary West [9]
--- Harmonic 1 $12,000 Jerry Hollendorfer Awtrey, Hammond, Phillips Racing Partnership, Schumer et al. [9]
--- Hero Ten All 1 $9,250 Jeff Mullins Edward K. Gaylord II [9]
--- Flashaway 1 $8,999 Mark Caase John C. Oxley [9]
--- Pioneerof the West 2 $14,250 Mark Caase John C. Oxley[9]
--- Ackeret 1 $73,000 Rudy Rodriguez Pick Six Racing & Silver Streak Stable [9]
--- Saratoga Heater 1 $50,000 Al Stall Jr. P.R. Racing [9]

Prep season

Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point

Race Distance Surface Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Ref
Iroquois 1-1/16 miles Dirt $150,000 Churchill Downs Sep 6 2014 Lucky Player Bold Conquest Hashtag Bourbon Danny Boy [11]
FrontRunner 1-1/16 miles Dirt $250,000 Santa Anita Sep 27 2014 American Pharoah Calculator Texas Red Lord Nelson [12]
Champagne 1-mile Dirt $400,000 Belmont Oct 4 2014 Daredevil Upstart The Truth Or Else El Kabeir [13]
Breeders' Futurity 1-1/16 miles Dirt $400,000 Keeneland Oct 4 2014 Carpe Diem Mr. Z Bold Conquest Tough Customer [14]
Grey 1-1/16 miles Synthetic $150,000 Woodbine Oct 5 2014 International Star Conquest Typhoon Hollywood Critic Flashaway [15]
Breeders' Cup Juvenile 1-1/16 miles Dirt $2,000,000 Santa Anita Nov 1 2014 Texas Red Carpe Diem Upstart The Great War [16]
Delta Downs Jackpot 1-1/16 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Delta Downs Nov 22 2014 Ocho Ocho Ocho Mr. Z Far Right Saratoga Heater [17]
Remsen 1-1/8 miles Dirt $250,000 Aqueduct Nov 29 2014 Leave the Light On Frosted Keen Ice Classy Class [18]
Kentucky Jockey Club 1-1/16 miles Dirt $200,000 Churchill Downs Nov 29 2014 El Kabeir Imperia Eagle International Star [19]
Los Alamitos Futurity 1-1/16 miles Dirt $500,000 Los Alamitos Dec 20 2014 Dortmund Firing Line Mr. Z Bench Warrant [20]
Jerome 1-mile 70 yards Dirt $200,000 Aqueduct Jan 3 2015 El Kabeir Nasa General Bellamy Ackeret [21]
Sham 1-mile Dirt $100,000 Santa Anita Jan 10 2015 Calculator Rock Shandy Pioneerof the West St. Joe Bay [22]
Lecomte 1-mile 70 yards Dirt $200,000 Fair Grounds Jan 17 2015 International Star War Story Tiznow R J Another Lemon Drop [23]
Smarty Jones 1-mile Dirt $150,000 Oaklawn Jan 19 2015 Far Right Bayerd Mr. Z Private Prospect [24]
Holy Bull 1-mile Dirt $400,000 Gulfstream Jan 24 2015 Upstart Frosted Bluegrass Singer Juan and Bina [25]
Withers 1-1/16 miles Dirt $200,000 Aqueduct Feb 7 2015 lucky p Over El Kabeir Classy Class Tencendur [26]
Robert B. Lewis 1-1/16 miles Dirt $200,000 Santa Anita Feb 7 2015 Dortmund Firing Line Rock Shandy Hero Ten All [27]
El Camino Real Derby 1-1/8 miles Synthetic $200,000 Golden Gate Feb 14 2015 Metaboss Cross the Line Conquest Typhoon Harmonic [28]
Southwest 1-1/16 miles Dirt $300,000 Oaklawn Feb 22 2015 Far Right The Truth Or Else Mr. Z Bold Conquest [29]

Championship series

First leg of series

Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points

Race Distance Surface Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Ref
Fountain of Youth 1-1/16 miles Dirt $400,000 Gulfstream Feb 21 2015 Itsaknockout Upstart Frammento Frosted [30]
Risen Star 1-1/16 miles Dirt $400,000 Fair Grounds Feb 21 2015 International Star War Story Keen Ice St. Joe Bay [31]
Gotham 1-1/16 miles Dirt $400,000 Aqueduct Mar 7 2015 El Kabeir Tiz Shea D Classy Class Toasting Master [32]
San Felipe 1-1/16 miles Dirt $300,000 Santa Anita Mar 7 2015 Dortmund Prospect Park Bolo Lord Nelson [33]
Tampa Bay Derby 1-1/16 miles Dirt $350,000 Tampa Bay Downs Mar 7 2015 Carpe Diem Ami's Flatter Divining Rod Danzig Moon [34]
Rebel 1-1/16 miles Dirt $700,000 Oaklawn Mar 14 2015 American Pharoah Madefromlucky Bold Conquest The Truth Or Else [35]
Spiral 1-1/8 miles Synthetic $550,000 Turfway Mar 21 2015 Dubai Sky Conquest Typhoon Firespike Task Force Glory [36]
Sunland Derby 1-1/8 miles Dirt $800,000 Sunland Mar 22 2015 Firing Line Where's the Moon Pain and Misery Tiznow R J [37]
Second leg of series

Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=20 points; 4th=10 points

Race Distance Surface Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Ref
UAE Derby 1-3/16 miles Dirt $2,000,000 Meydan Mar 28 2015 Mubtaahij Maftool Golden Barows Motaa [38]
Florida Derby 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Gulfstream Mar 28 2015 Materiality Upstart Ami's Flatter Itsaknockout [39]
Louisiana Derby 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Fair Grounds Mar 28 2015 International Star Stanford War Story Keen Ice [40]
Wood Memorial 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Aqueduct Apr 4 2015 Frosted Tencendur El Kabeir Daredevil [41]
Santa Anita Derby 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Santa Anita Apr 4 2015 Dortmund One Lucky Dane Bolo Prospect Peak [42]
Blue Grass 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Keeneland Apr 4 2015 Carpe Diem Danzig Moon Ocho Ocho Ocho Frammento [43]
Arkansas Derby 1-1/8 miles Dirt $1,000,000 Oaklawn Park Apr 11 2015 American Pharoah Far Right Mr. Z Madefromlucky [44]
"Wild Card"

Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 points

Race Distance Surface Grade Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Ref
Lexington 1-1/16 miles Dirt $250,000 Keeneland Apr 11 2015 Divining Rod Donworth Fame and Power Comfort [45]
Notes

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Churchill Downs changes 2014 Kentucky Derby 'Road' map
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Churchill Downs Refines 'Road to the Kentucky Derby', Oaks with Point System
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Road to Kentucky Derby will be less complex in 2013
    4. ↑ "Black Onyx scratched from Kentucky Derby". The Associated Press. Yahoo. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The New Road To The Kentucky Derby
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 2013-14 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY
    7. ↑ Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Standings Mar. 16, 2013
    8. ↑ Kentucky Derby 2014 points standings April 19, 2014
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.20 9.21 9.22 9.23 9.24 9.25 9.26 9.27 9.28 9.29 9.30 9.31 9.32 9.33 9.34 9.35 9.36 9.37 9.38 9.39 9.40 9.41 9.42 9.43 9.44 9.45 9.46 9.47 9.48 9.49 9.50 9.51 9.52 9.53 9.54 9.55 9.56 9.57 9.58 9.59 9.60 9.61 9.62 9.63
    10. ↑ http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91643/tale-of-verve-among-22-entered-for-ky-derby
    11. ↑ Lucky Player Hits Big in Iroquis
    12. ↑ American Pharoah Easy Winner of Frontrunner
    13. ↑ Daredevil Cruises to Victory in Champagne
    14. ↑ Carpe Diem Seizes Victory in Breeders' Futurity
    15. ↑ International Star Shines in Grey Stakes
    16. ↑ Texas Red Rockets to BC Juvenile Win
    17. ↑ Ocho Ocho Ocho Cashes Jackopot, Now 3-for-3
    18. ↑ Leave the Light On Can't Be Caught in Remsen
    19. ↑ El Kabeir Just Lasts in Kentucky Jockey Club
    20. ↑ Dortmund Wins Dramatic Los Alamitos Futurity
    21. ↑
    22. ↑
    23. ↑
    24. ↑
    25. ↑
    26. ↑ Far From Over Win Withers With Closing Rush
    27. ↑ Dortmund All Heart in Determined Lewis Tally
    28. ↑ Metaboss Motors to El Camino Real Triumph
    29. ↑ Far Right Rallies to Capture Sloppy Southwest
    30. ↑ Upstart DQ'ed in FOY, Itsaknockout Wins
    31. ↑ International Star Carries On in Risen Star
    32. ↑ El Kabeir Continues NY Success in Gotham
    33. ↑ Dortmund Cruises Wire-to-Wire in San Felipe
    34. ↑ Carpe Diem Returns a Tampa Bay Derby Winner
    35. ↑ American Pharoah Romps in Rebel Stakes
    36. ↑ Dubai Sky Stays Hot in Spiral Victory
    37. ↑ Firing Line Crushes Field in Sunland Derby
    38. ↑ Mubtaahij Easily Earns Kentucky Derby Spot
    39. ↑ Unbeaten Materiality Secures Florida Derby
    40. ↑ International Start Sweeps to LA Derby Score
    41. ↑ Frosted Hits Sweet Spot in Wood Memorial Win
    42. ↑ Dortmund Unrelenting in Santa Anita Derby
    43. ↑ Carpe Diem Rumbles in Blue Grass
    44. ↑ http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91219/american-pharoah-impressive-in-arkansas-derby
    45. ↑ Divining Rod Convincing in Coolmore Lexington

    External links