The leaderboard is posted weekly as horses vie for their spot in the starting gate in America’s greatest race.
There are around 20,000 registered foals born each year and only 20 horses will make it to the Kentucky Derby. The triple-crown races are reserved only for 3-year-olds - The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and The Belmont.
To qualify, there is a series of races at designated racetracks around the country and around the world to earn points. At each race there are points awarded for the top 4 finishers and the 20 horses with the most points will earn their spot in the starting gate on the 1st Saturday in May.
There are a total of 48 prep races, (37 in the US and 11 international), 26 of which have already taken place. These 26 races had point values of 10-4-2-1 and a few had point values of 20-8-4-2. (Meaning that the first place finisher would have received 10 points, second place 4 points, third place 2 points, and so on.) We are now getting into higher point-value races as we get closer to the Kentucky Derby.
The Risen Star (Feb 19) had a point values of 50-20-10-5, which were awarded to the following horses: Epicenter (50), Smile Happy (20), Zandon (10), and Pioneer of Medina (5)
The Rebel (Feb 26) also had point values of 50-20-10-5, which were awarded to the following horses: Un Ojo (50), Ethereal Road (20), Barber Road (10), and Kavod (5). The odds of Un Ojo winning that race were 75-1! Even a $2 WIN bet on that horse would have made you over $150!
There are some great races coming up in March with point values at 50-20-10-5,
3/5 - Fountain of Youth (Gulfstream Park)
3/5 - Gotham (Aqueduct)
3/5 - San Felipe (Santa Anita Park)
3/12 - Tampa Bay Derby (Tampa Bay Downs)
3/27 - Sunland Derby (Sunland Park)
But, the races with the highest point values (100-40-20-10) are the ones that can really determine who goes on the leaderboard and will "Run for the Roses" on May 7th.
Those races to watch are:
3/26 - UAE Derby (Meydan Racecourse)
3/26 - Louisiana Derby (Fairgrounds)
4/2 - Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park)
4/2 - Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park)
4/2 - Jeff Ruby Steakhouse (Turfway)
4/9 - Wood Memorial (Aqueduct)
4/9 - Blue Grass (Keenland)
4/9 - Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park)
The road to the Kentucky Derby is long and arduous for the horses, trainers, owners, and the whole entourage! When you watch the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, just remember what it actually takes to earn a spot in that starting gate, and they only have one chance.