Derby Road, Points

ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SUMMARY

The Races

The Kentucky Derby Prep Season includes races on dirt, for the most part going two turns, over distances of at least one mile that are run between September and mid-February. These races traditionally serve as foundation-building races in advance of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. From the 2013 Kentucky Derby through the 2022 Derby, points for theses races were awarded to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale, except that the Breeders' Cup Juvenile yielded twice as many points in each place.

Beginning with the 2023 Kentucky Derby, points for the early races in the Prep Season were awarded on a scale of 10-4-3-2-1 for the top five finishers, and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile was worth three times as many points in each place. Beginning with the Lecomte Stakes, points were scaled at 20-8-6-4-2 except for the El Camino Real Derby, which awarded 10-4-3-2-1 points.

Another change was made for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (the 150th running) with early Prep Season races points scaled at 10-5-3-2-1; the Juvenile continued awarding continuing three times as many points in each place; and beginning with the Lecomte points are scaled at 20-10-6-4-2. With the closing of Golden Gate Fields viewed as imminent, the El Camino Real Derby was dropped from the schedule.

The Kentucky Derby Championship Series is a series of races on dirt going two turns over distances of at least 1 1/16 mile (except for the Gotham Stakes at one mile) held during a two-month run-up to the first Saturday in May. From the 2013 Kentucky Derby through the 2022 Derby, the initial races in this series had a 50-20-10-5 point scale to the top four finishers and served as steppingstones to the major Kentucky Derby launching pads worth 100-40-20-10 points each. An exception was the Lexington Stakes, which carried 20-8-4-2 points.

Beginning with the 2023 Kentucky Derby, points for the early races in the Derby Championship Season were awarded on a scale of 50-20-15-10-5 to the top five finishers. The major Derby preps were worth 100-40-30-20-10 points, and the series ends with the last-call Lexington Stakes worth 20-8-6-4-2 points.

Consistent with changes to the Prep Season point scale, starting with the 2024 Kentucky Derby the top five finishers were awarded points on a scale of 50-25-15-10-5 in the early Derby Championship Season, and the more important races are rated at 100-50-30-20-10. The Lexington is now worth 20-10-6-4-2.

Starting in 2024, the Sham Stakes was discontinued and thus dropped from the Kentucky Derby points races; and with the closing of Golden Gate Fields the El Camino Real Derby disappeared from the series.

Through 2024 the Japan Road to the Derby and the European Road to the Derby were series unto themselves, each of them separate from the traditional points system. Each of those series yield only one entry apiece in the Run for the Roses. The horse with the most points is first eligible. If that horse isn't entered, horses with the next-highest totals were invited in descending order. Eventually the Euro races were filled with horses not nominated to the Triple Crown, and the series became irrelevant.

Beginning in 2025, the UAE Derby was removed from the American series of points races and became part of the newly-named European/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby. Points for the UAE Derby tower over the Euro races, essentially making it a one-race "series" for a spot in the Kentucky Derby.

In 2020, additional races were added after April because the covid-19 pandemic led to a postponement of the Kentucky Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5. Starting with the 2021 Derby, the schedule returned to normal.

Entries

Up to 24 horses may be entered in the Kentucky Derby, with 20 qualifying for the starting gate. Up to four horses will be listed as “also eligible” and ranked in order. They are eligible to draw into the field with scratches from the top 20.

If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker to get into the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks is earnings in non-restricted stakes races, whether they are graded or not. The next tiebreaker is a hat shake.

In the event of a dead-heat in a Road to the Kentucky Derby race, those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other.

The Kentucky Derby Points System History

Starting in 2013, 3-year-old horses first became eligible to make the Kentucky Derby starting gate using a points system. Before that, priority was given to horses with the most graded stakes earnings.

Once early nominations to the Triple Crown are released, usually in late January, horses not nominated do not appear on the leaderboard for Kentucky Derby qualifying points. After the deadline for late nominations to the Triple Crown expires, usually in late March, horses with potential points made eligible at that time are awarded said points retroactively, just as graded stakes earnings were in the previous eligibility system. Starting in 2014, horses not nominated to the Triple Crown, but supplemented instead, gained the same footing as nominees. In other words, if such a horse has sufficient points, said horse makes the Kentucky Derby field. Previously, nominated horses had preference over supplemented horses.

In 2024, Epic Ride finished 14th with 35 Derby points, the lowest total of any horse in the race.

In 2023, Mandarin Hero finished 12th and King Russell finished 15th with 40 qualifying points each, the lowest total among the 18 starters.

In 2022, the Derby starter with the lowest point total was also-eligible Rich Strike, with 21 points. He won the Kentucky Derby at 80-1 odds.

In 2021, Brooklyn Strong entered the Derby with 10 points, a much lower total than normal. He ran 15th at odds of 43-1.

In 2020, Necker Island had the lowest point total among the starters with 14, but only 15 ran after an elongated road to the Kentucky Derby ending in September resulted in much attrition among the 3-year-old crop. He finished ninth, beaten 14 3/4 lengths, at 49-1 odds.

In 2019, Bodexpress finished 14th after making the field last with 40 points.Outshine also had 40 points, but he ranked ahead of Bodexpress with more non-restricted stakes earnings.

In 2018, Instilled Regard had the fewest points in the field with 29, and he finished fourth.

In 2017, the last horse in was the maiden Sonneteer, who had 30 points. He finished 16th.

In 2016, Mo Tom had the fewest Derby points with 32. He finished eighth.

In 2015, Frammento was the last horse to get into the Derby, and he had 20 points. He finished 11th.

In 2014, Vinceremos, Harry's Holiday and Commanding Curve each had the lowest point total with 20. Commanding Curve was the last of the three to make the field due to the tiebreaker rule, earnings in non-restricted stakes races. Commanding Curve blew up the tote board with a second-place finish. Harry's Holiday finished 16th, and Vinceremos finished 17th.

In 2013, the first year of the Derby points system, the last horse to make the Kentucky Derby field was Giant Finish with 10 points. He outran his rank to finish 10th, beaten 13 1/4 lengths.

In 2012, the horse with the lowest amount of graded earnings in the Kentucky Derby was Optimizer with $184,708. In 2011, it was Derby Kitten, with $120,000. In 2010, it was Make Music for Me, with $218,750. In 2009, Nowhere to Hide had $55,500; in 2008, Denis of Cork had $165,000, and in 2007, Imawildandcrazyguy had $104,000.

Other Rules According to Churchill Downs

Up to 24 horses may enter the Kentucky Derby, with 20 qualifying for the starting gate. Up to four horses will be listed as “also eligible” and ranked in order. They could draw into the field with scratches from the top 20.

If two or more horses have the same number of points, which can often be the case whenever a point system is introduced, the tiebreaker to get into the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks will be earnings in non-restricted stakes races, whether they are graded or not. It the tiebreaker is tied, the backup tiebreaker is a hat shake.

FILLIES – Fillies may run in the Kentucky Derby, but they have to earn their way into the field by accumulating points against open company just like the rest of the colts and geldings -- and be nominated to the Triple Crown or supplemented. Additionally, any points earned by a filly in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series against open company will be credited to her point total in the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series.

DEAD HEATS – In the event of a dead heat in a “Road to the Kentucky Derby” race, those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other.

SPLIT DIVISIONS – In the event a “Road to the Kentucky Derby” race is split into divisions and each division awards its originally published purse money, points will be awarded as scheduled for each division. If the originally published purse is halved for each division, points will be halved as well. If the purse is affected in some other manner, Churchill Downs has the discretion to make a decision before the races are run to award points as it sees fit.

Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard History

(Earnings in non-restricted stakes races shown where points are tied or runner was on Japan or Euro Road to Derby)

2024 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Sierra Leone (155), 2. Fierceness (136), 3. Catching Freedom (125, $802,000), 4. Stronghold (125, $742,800), 5. Resilience (110), 6. Forever Young (JPN) (100, $1,769,919), 7. Endlessly (100, $658,000), 8. Dornoch (75, $472,375), 9. Just a Touch (75, $247,500), 10. Track Phantom (70), 11. West Saratoga (67), 12. Just Steel (65, $628,295), 13. Honor Marie (65, $448,455), 14. Domestic Product (60), 15. Catalytic (50, $186,000), 16. Society Man (50, $141,875), 17. Mystik Dan (46), 18. Encino (40, $323,136), 19. Grand Mo the First (40, $164,250), 20. T O Password (JPN) (Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Invite), AE 21. Epic Ride (35), and AE 22. Mugatu (14).

2023 FINAL LEADERBOARD - 1. Angel of Empire (154), 2. Tapit Trice (150), 3. Two Phil's (123), 4. Derma Sotogake (100, $1,112,319), 5. Kingsbarns (100, $600,000), 6. Raise Cain (64), 7. Rocket Can (60, $284,025), 8. Hit Show (60, $277,500), 9. Confidence Game (57), Verifying (54, $369,750), 10. Sun Thunderr 54, $181,500), 11. Mage (50),  12. Disarm (46), 13. Reincarnate (45 $263,250), 14. Continuar (Japan Road, $289,954), 15. Jace's Road (45, $200,350), 16. Cyclone Mischief (45, $137,525), 17. Mandarin Hero (40, $339,041), 18. King Russell (40, $227,500).

2022 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Epicenter (164), 2. Zandon (114), 3. White Abarrio (112, $769,650), 4. Mo Donegal (112, $561,500), 5. Tiz the Bomb (110), 6. Cyberknife (100, $1,012,610), 7. Crown Pride (JPN) (100, $752,000), 8. Taiba (100, $671,544), 9. Simplification (74), 10. Smile Happy (70), 11. Classic Causeway (66), 12. Tawny Port (60), 13. Barber Road (58), 14. Messier (40, $390,000), 15. Zozos (40, $200,000, $291,200), 16. Summer Is Tomorrow (40, $200,000, $267,606), 17. Charge It (40, $188,000), 18. Happy Jack (30), 19. Pioneer of Medina (25), 20. Ethereal Road (22), AE 21. Rich Strike (21) and AE 22 Rattle N Roll (20).

2021 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Essential Quality (140), 2. Hot Rod Charlie (110), 3. Super Stock (109), 4. Like the King (104), 5. Known Agenda (102), 6. Rock Your World (100, $510,000), 7. Bourbonic (100, $400,000), 8. Medina Spirit (74), 9. Midnight Bourbon (66), 10. Mandaloun (52), 11. Highly Motivated (50, $271,000), 12. Helium (50, $255,492), 13. Soup and Sandwich (40, $161,000), 14. Dynamic One (40, $140,000), 15. Sainthood (40, $47,500), 16. Hidden Stash (32), 17. O Besos (25), 18. King Fury (20), 19. Keepmeinmind (18) and 20. Brooklyn Strong (10).

2020 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Tiz the Law (372), 2. Authentic (200), 3. Honor A. P. (140), 4. Ny Traffic (110), 5. King Guillermo (90), 6. Thousand Words (83), 7. Max Player (60), 8. Enforceable (43), 9. Major Fed (38), 10. Storm the Court (36), 11. Attachment Rate (35), 12. Sole Volante (30), 13. Finnick the Fierce (25), 14. Winning Impression (20), 15. South Bend (18), 16. Necker Island (14), 17. Mr. Big News (0, $129,500) and 18. Money Moves (0, $0, $67,400).

2019 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Tacitus (150), 2. Omaha Beach (137.5), 3. Vekoma (110), 4. Plus Que Parfait (104), 5. Roadster (100, $636,000), 6. By My Standards (100, $600,000), 7. Maximum Security (100, $582,800), 8. Game Winner (85), 9. Code of Honor (74), 10. Haikal (70), 11. Improbable (65), 12. War of Will (60), 13. Long Range Toddy (53.5), 14. Tax (52), 15. Cutting Humor (50, $462,467), 16. Win Win Win (50, $220,000), 17. Country House (50, $220,000), 18. Gray Magician (41), 19. Spinoff (40, $224,000), 20. Master Fencer (JPN) (Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Invite) and AE 21. Bodexpress (40, $188,000).

2018 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Magnum Moon (150), 2. Good Magic (134), 3. Audible (110, $803,520), 4. Noble Indy (110, $640,000), 5. Vino Rosso (107), 6. Bolt d’Oro (104), 7. Enticed (103), 8. Mendelssohn (100, $1,947,299), 9. Justify (100, $600,000), 10. Flameaway (70), 11. Solomini (54, $716,000), 12. Bravazo (54, $359,913), 13. My Boy Jack (52, $622,000), 14. Promises Fulfilled (52, $266,480), 15. Free Drop Billy (44), 16. Lone Sailor (42), 17. Hofburg (40), 18. Firenze Fire (39), 19. Combatant (32), 20. Instilled Regard (29) and AE 21. Blended Citizen (22).

2017 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Girvin (150), 2. Classic Empire (132), 3. Gormley (125), 4. Irap (113), 5. Irish War Cry (110), 6. Thunder Snow-IRE (100, $1,621,063), 7. Always Dreaming (100, $589,000), 8. Gunnevera (84), 9. Practical Joke (74), 10. J Boys Echo (63), 11. State of Honor (62), 12. Tapwrit (54), 13. Hence (50, $401,429), 14. Fast and Accurate (50, $320,712), 15. McCraken (40, $385,048), 16. Battle of Midway (40, $224,000), 17. Patch (40, $200,000), 18. Untrapped (34), 19. Lookin At Lee (32), 20. Sonneteer (30, $236,000), AE 21. Royal Mo (30, $213,000) and AE 22. Master Plan (20).

2016 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Gun Runner (151), 2. Nyquist (130), 3. Exaggerator (126), 4. Outwork (120), 5. Brody’s Cause (114), 6. Creator (110), 7. Lani (100), 8. Mor Spirit (84), 9. Mohaymen (80), 10. Danzing Candy (60), 11. Destin (51), 12. Suddenbreakingnews (50, $637,000), 13. Oscar Nominated (50, 321,360), 14. Shagaf (50, $270,000), 15. Whitmore (44, $400,000), 16. Tom’s Ready (44, $270,670), 17. My Man Sam (40, $200,000), 18. Majesto (40, $190,000, $239,500), 19. Trojan Nation (40, $190,000, $213,290), 20. Mo Tom (32, $268,326), AE 21. Laoban (32, $142,000) and AE 22. Cherry Wine (25, $145,000).

2015 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. International Star (171), 2. Dortmund (170), 3. Carpe Diem (164), 4. American Pharoah (160), 5. Frosted (113), 6. Mubtaahij-IRE (100, $1,400,000), 7. Materiality (100, $632,028), 8. El Kabeir (95), 9. Upstart (76), 10. Far Right (62), 11. Itsaknockout (60), 12. Firing Line (58), 13. Danzig Moon (45), 14. War Story (44), 15. Tencendur (41), 16. Stanford (40), 17. Mr. Z (34), 18. Ocho Ocho Ocho (30, $760,250), 19. Bolo (30, $214,980), 20. Keen Ice (22), AE 21. Frammento (20) and AE 22. Tale of Verve (0).

2014 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. California Chrome (150), 2. Vicar’s in Trouble (120), 3. Dance With Fate (108), 4. Wicked Strong (102), 5. Samraat (100, $640,000), 6. Danza (100, $620,000), 7. Hoppertunity (95), 8. Intense Holiday (93), 9. Wildcat Red (90), 10. We Miss Artie (60), 11. Ride On Curlin (55), 12. Chitu (54), 13. Tapiture (52), 14. General a Rod (40, $240,000), 15. Medal Count (40, $226,500), 16. Candy Boy (30), 17. Uncle Sigh (24), 18. Vinceremos (20, $191,666), 19. Harry’s Holiday (20, $152,622), 20. Commanding Curve (20, $104,000) and AE 21. Pablo Del Monte (20, $102,000).

2013 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Orb (150, $840,000), 2. Verrazano (150, $810,000), 3. Goldencents (129), 4. Java’s War (122), 5. Overanalyze (110, $908,381), 6. Revolutionary (110, $720,000), 7. Lines of Battle (100), 8. Vyjack (70), 9. Will Take Charge (60), 10. Itsmyluckyday (50, $593,600), 11. Black Onyx (50, $317,130), 12. Palace Malice (50, $200,000), 13. Normandy Invasion (44, $258,000), 14. Frac Daddy (44, $240,596), 15. Mylute (42), 16. Oxbow (36), 17. Falling Sky (30), 18. Charming Kitten (20), 19. Golden Soul (14), 20. Giant Finish (10) and AE 21. Fear the Kitten (6).

Road to the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard History

(Earnings in non-restricted stakes races shown where points are tied)

2024 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Tarifa (150), 2. Where’s My Ring (125), 3. Power Squeeze (120), 4. Leslie’s Rose (115), 5. Thorpedo Anna (105), 6. Just F Y I (90), 7. Gin Gin (66), 8. Fiona’s Magic (60), 9. Regulatory Risk (55), 10. Tapit Jenallie (54, $216,725), 11. Everland (54, $185,000), 12. Lemon Muffin (50, $228,750), 13. Into Champagne (50, $124,360), 14. Ways and Means (50, $108,000), AE 15. Our Pretty Woman (50, $80,000), and AE 16. Candied (34). 

2023 FINAL LEADERBOARD - 1. Wet Paint (170), 2. Affirmative Lady (110), 3. Defining Purpose (107), 4. Pretty Mischievous (103), 5. Southlawn (100, $242,464), 6. Promiseher America (100, $137,500), 7. And Tell Me Nolies (70, $420,000), 8. Botanical (70, $268,560), 9. Dorth Vader (70, $214,405), 10. Gambling Girl (61), 11. The Alys Look (54), 12. Flying Connection (50, $275,900), 13. Mimi Kakushi (50, $180,186), 14. Wonder Wheel (48, $1,501265).

2022 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Kathleen O. (150), 2. Echo Zulu (130), 3. Nest (120), 4. Yuugiri (114), 5. Desert Dawn (108), 6. Nostalgic (101), 7. Venti Valentine (94), 8. Secret Oath (80), 9. Goddess of Fire (62), 10. Turnerloose (60), 11. Hidden Connection (57), 12. Cocktail Moments (52), 13. Candy Raid (51), 14. Shahama (50) and AE 15. Beguine (40).

2021 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Search Results (150), 2. Travel Column (132), 3. Crazy Beautiful (128), 4. Pauline’s Pearl (120), 5. Malathaat (110), 6. Clairiere (94), 7. Will’s Secret (80), 8. Millefeuille (44), 9. Moraz (42), 10. Ava’s Grace (40, $138,000), 11. Pass the Champagne (40, $80,000), 12. Maracuja (40, $50,000), 13. Competitive Speed (30) and 14. Coach (26).

2020 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Swiss Skydiver (450), 2. Speech (160), 3. Shedaresthedevil (90), 4. Donna Veloce (62), 5. Gamine (50, $330,000), 6. Hopeful Growth (50, $135,000), 7. Tempers Rising (47), 8. Dream Marie (35) and 9. Bayerness (8).

2019 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Bellafina (132), 2. Champagne Anyone (113), 3. Street Band (105), 4. Lady Apple (100, $336,000), 5. Out for a Spin (100, $300,000), 6. Liora (71), 7. Restless Rider (62), 8. Serengeti Empress (60, $313,270), 9. Motion Emotion (60, $140,000), 10. Jaywalk (55), 11. Chocolate Kisses (51, $157,000), 12. Jeltrin (51, $128,720), 13. Positive Spirit (50), 14. Flor de la Mar (40, $80,000), AE 15. Dunbar Road (40, $49,500) and AE 16. Point of Honor (20).

2018 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Midnight Bisou (160), 2. Monomoy Girl (154), 3. Sassy Sienna (115), 4. My Miss Lilly (112), 5. Chocolate Martini (100, $240,000), 6. Coach Rocks (100, $145,700), 7. Rayya (90), 8. Wonder Gadot (84), 9. Eskimo Kisses (80), 10. Take Charge Paula (70), 11. Patrona Margarita (35), 12. Classy Act (30), 13. Heavenhasmynikki (11) and 14. Kelly’s Humor (8).

2017 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Farrell (170), 2. Miss Sky Warrior (160), 3. Ever So Clever (106), 4. Sailor’s Valentine (100, $307,014), 5. Paradise Woods (100, $240,000), 6. Salty (100, $150,350), 7. Abel Tasman (70), 8. Daddys Lil Darling (60), 9. Tequilita (50, $227,540), 10. Lockdown (50, $120,000), 11. Wicked Lick (49), 12. Vexatious (40, $80,000), 13. Jordan’s Henny (40, $66,410), 14. Mopotism (16) and AE 15. Summer Luck (11).

2016 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Terra Promessa (150), 2. Lewis Bay (130), 3. Land Over Sea (128), 4. Weep No More (100, $340,000), 5. Go Maggie Go (100, $151,900), 6. Cathryn Sophia (80), 7. Mo d’Amour (70), 8. Venus Valentine (50, $132,375), 9. Mokat (50, $112,000), 10. Rachel’s Valentina (48), 11. Royal Obsession (45), 12. Dream Dance (44), 13. Taxable (40, $80,000), 14. Paola Queen (40, $49,000) and 15. Dothraki Queen (20).

2015 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Condo Commando (161, $715,000), 2. I’m a Chatterbox (161, $430,714), 3. Stellar Wind (150), 4. Birdatthewire (130), 5. Lovely Maria (120), 6. Include Betty (100), 7. Oceanwave (60), 8. Angela Renee (57), 9. Sarah Sis (54), 10. Eskenformoney (50), 11. Puca (45), 12. Shook Up (40), 13. Forever Unbridled (34), 14. Money’soncharlotte (22) and AE 15. Peace and War (10).

2014 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Untapable (160), 2. Sugar Shock (120), 3. Fashion Plate (110), 4. My Miss Sophia (100), 5. Rosalind (78), 6. Got Lucky (64, $180,000), 7. Aurelia’s Belle (64, $142,850), 8. Ria Antonia (55), 9. Kiss Moon (50), 10. Fiftyshadesofgold (40), 11. Unbridled Forever (30), 12. Thank You Marylou (20) and 13. Empress of Midway (15).

2013 FINAL LEADERBOARD – 1. Beholder (164, $1,500,000), 2. Rose to Gold (164, $717,889), 3. Unlimited Budget (160), 4. Dreaming of Julia (132), 5. Close Hatches (100), 6. Flashy Gray (60), 7. Princess of Sylmar (50, $170,000), 8. Midnight Lucky (50, $120,000), 9. Silsita (50, $57,600), 10. Seaneen Girl (34) and 11. Pure Fun (20).