2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby

The 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, which will be held on May 6. The field for the Derby is limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field. There are three separate paths for horses to take to qualify for the Derby: the main Road consisting of races in North America (plus one in Dubai), the Japan Road consisting of four races in Japan, and the European road consisting of seven races in England, Ireland and France. The top four finishers in the specified races receive points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races act as a tie breaker.

For 2023, the main Road to the Kentucky Derby resembled the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby, consisting of 37 races, one more event than in 2021, with 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season with the following changes:[lower-alpha 1]

  • Points will now be awarded to the top-five finishing positions in qualifying races, and the significance of the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and select races traditionally run in late January have been increased. Prep season races will now award points on a sliding scale of 10-4-3-2-1.
  • Points awarded in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, will be increased from 20-8-4-2 to 30-12-9-6-3 in order to differentiate what has historically been a high-quality grade 1 race from others during the prep season.
  • Select prep season races that traditionally serve as steppingstones to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series have been elevated from 10-4-2-1 to 20-8-6-4-2. These include G3 Lecomte Stakes, G3 Southwest Stakes, G3 Withers Stakes, G3 Holy Bull Stakes, G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Listed John Battaglia Memorial Stakes.[2]

Standings

The following table shows the points earned in the eligible races for the main series.[3]

Rank[3] Horse Points Earnings[lower-alpha 2] Trainer Owner Ref
1 Forte 190 $2,359,730 Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable [4]
2 Angel of Empire 154 $1,026,375 Brad H. Cox Albaugh Family Stables [5]
3 Two Phil's 123 $643,850 Larry Rivelli Patricia's Hope & Phillip Sagan [6]
4 Derma Sotogake (JPN) 100 $1,112,319 Hidetaka Otonashi Hiroyuki Asanuma [7]
5 Kingsbarns 100 $600,000 Todd A. Pletcher Spendthrift Farm [8]
6 Practical Move 60 $372,000 Tim Yakteen Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy & Roger K. Bersley [9]
7 Rocket Can 60 $284,025 William I. Mott Frank Fletcher Racing [10]
8 Confidence Game 57 $610,480 J. Keith Desormeaux Don't Tell My Wife Stables [11]
9 Raise Cain 54 $204,750 Ben Colbrook Andrew N. & Rania Warren [12]
10 Wild On Ice[lower-alpha 3] 50 $366,400 Joel Marr Frank Sumpter [14]
11 Tapit Trice 50 $210,000 Todd A. Pletcher Whisper Hill Farm & Gainesway Stable [15]
12 Mage 50 $205,200 Gustavo Delgado OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing & CMNWLTH [16]
13 Reincarnate 45 $263,250 Tim Yakteen SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [17]
14 Jace's Road 45 $200,350 Brad H. Cox West Point Thoroughbreds & Albaugh Family Stables [11]
15 Cyclone Mischief 45 $137,525 Dale L. Romans Albaugh Family Stables [16]
bypass[18] Dura Erede (JPN) 40 $774,897 Manabu Ikezoe Three H Racing [7]
16 Major Dude 40 $401,595 Todd A. Pletcher Spendthrift Farm [19]
17 King Russell[lower-alpha 4] 40 $227,500 Ron Moquett Brereton C. Jones & Naber Racing [21]
18 Disarm 40 $200,000 Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds [8]
19 Sun Thunder 34 $135,250 Kenneth G. McPeek R.T Racing Stable & Cypress Creek Equine [22]
20 Red Route One 33 $417,125 Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds [4]
21 Instant Coffee 32 $395,065 Brad H. Cox Gold Square [4]
22 Continuar (JPN)[lower-alpha 5] 30 $289,954 Yoshito Yahagi Lion Race Horse [7]
23 Funtastic Again 30 $150,116 Wesley A. Ward Three Chimneys Farm [19]
24 Classic Car Wash 26 $100,000 Mark E. Casse Gary Barber [23]
25 General Banker 24 $84,000 James W. Ferraro Seacoast Thoroughbreds of New England [24]
bypass[25] Perriere (JPN) 20 $332,805 Yoichi Kuroiwa Yuji Hasegawa [7]
26 Congruent 20 $221,585 Antonio Sano Tami Bobo & Lugamo Racing Stable [26]
27 Hit Show 20 $137,500 Brad H. Cox Gary & Mary West [27]
28 Low Expectations 20 $130,680 Antonio Garcia Reddam Racing [14]
injured[28] Litigate 20 $120,000 Todd A. Pletcher Centennial Farms [23]
29 Geaux Rocket Ride 20 $80,000 Richard E. Mandella Pin Oak Stud [29]
30 Slip Mahoney 20 $60,000 Brad H. Cox Gold Square [30]
31 Mr. Ripple 20 $46,500 Saffie Joseph Jr. Legacy Racing [31]
32 Shopper's Revenge 20 $40,000 Steven M. Asmussen Whisper Hill Farm & Three Chimneys Farm [8]
33 Wadsworth 20 $34,000 Brad H. Cox Godolphin [19]
34 Classic Legacy 19 $45,000 William I. Mott Bruce Lunsford [23]
35 Curly Jack 17 $348,120 Thomas M. Amoss Michael McLoughlin [11]
36 Blazing Sevens 16 $411,000 Chad C. Brown Rodeo Creek Racing [32]
37 Arctic Arrogance 16 $130,000 Linda L. Rice Chester Broman Sr. & Mary Broman [33]
38 Henry Q 15 $119,400 Todd Fincher The Del Mar Group [14]
39 Skinner 15 $84,500 John Shirreffs C R K Stable [29]
40 Fort Bragg 15 $59,900 Tim Yakteen SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [29]
41 Verifying 14 $184,750 Brad H. Cox Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor [32]
42 Shadow Dragon 13 $60,020 William I. Mott Peachtree Stable [10]
not nominated[34] How Did He Do That 11 $100,100 Steven M. Asmussen J. Kirk & Judy Robison [5]
43 Victory Formation 10 $156,750 Brad H. Cox Spendthrift Farm & Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. [5]
44 Dubyuhnell 10 $137,500 Danny Gargan West Paces Racing & Stonestreet Stables [33]
bypass[35] Go Soldier Go 10 $132,062 Fawzi Abdulla Victorious [7]
45 Lugan Knight 10 $83,625 Michael J. McCarthy BG Stables [24]
46 Chase the Chaos[lower-alpha 6] 10 $81,500 Ed Moger Jr. Adam Ference & Bill Dory [36]
injured[37] Hejazi 10 $60,000 Tim Yakteen Zedan Racing Stables [29]
47 Tapit's Conquest 10 $26,000 Brad H. Cox Robert V. LaPenta, e Five Racing Thor. & Madaket Stables [38]
not nominated[34] Airtime 10 $18,750 Robertino Diodoro Randy Howg [21]
bypass[39] Eyeing Clover 10 $18,000 Brad H. Cox Ten Strike Racing, Michael E. Kisber & Colin Reed [30]
48 Prairie Hawk 10 $17,500 Saffie Joseph Jr. Peachtree Stable & WinStar Farm [15]
not nominated[40] Maker's Candy 10 $14,400 Michael J. Maker Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, Maxis Stable & Gata Racing Stable [19]
49 Scoobie Quando 8 $105,200 Ben Colebrook Andrew N. & Rania Warren [26]
50 Denington 8 $43,110 Kenneth G. McPeek Fern Circle Stables & Magdalena Racing [41]
not nominated[34] Groveland 8 $40,000 Eoin Harty Godolphin [23]
not nominated[34] Bromley 8 $18,300 Paulo Lobo OXO Equine [6]
51 Hayes Strike 7 $155,750 Kenneth G. McPeek Dixiana Farm [11]
52 Andiamo a Firenze 7 $72,000 Kelly J. Breen Mr. Amore Stable [32]
injured[42] Frosted Departure 6 $222,112 Kenneth G. McPeek C&H Diamond Racing & Magdalena Racing [22]
53 West Coast Cowboy 6 $34,250 Saffie Joseph Jr. Gentry Farms [10]
54 One in Vermillion 5 $163,143 Esteban Martinez Jonathan Kalman [14]
55 Bourbon Bash 5 $33,750 D. Wayne Lukas BC Stables [17]
56 Lord Miles 5 $27,100 Saffie Joseph Jr. Vegso Racing Stable [15]
57 Clear the Air 5 $12,000 Will Walden Cypress Creek Equine [30]
58 Single Ruler 5 $8,000 Keith Desormeaux Rocker O Ranch [38]
injured[43] Loggins 4 $106,500 Brad H. Cox Spendthrift Farm, Steve Landers Racing, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing & Winners Win [4]
injured[44] Honed 4 $65,700 Kenneth G. McPeek Three Chimneys Farm & Magdalena Racing [11]
injured[45] Legacy Isle 4 $44,325 Rohan Crichton Daniel L. Walters, Dennis G. Smith, Anthony Smith & Rohan Crichton [10]
injured[46] Moon Landing 4 $6,150 Kevin Attard Robert V. LaPenta, e Five Racing Thoroughbreds & Madaket Stables [26]
injured[47] Gulfport 3 $267,070 Steven M. Asmussen William L. & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm & Coolmore Stud [32]
injured[48] Tuskegee Airmen 3 $90,000 John C. Servis Cash Is King & LC Racing [33]
not nominated[34] Echo Again 3 $48,625 Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds [49]
59 Determinedly 3 $20,500 Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley [12]
not nominated[34] Harcyn 3 $12,000 Steve Sherman Jerry Moss [36]
not nominated[34] Packs a Wahlop 2 $196,000 Jeff Mullins Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal [50]
not nominated[34] Zydeceaux 2 $111,000 Ramon Minguet Stud Carmen Cristina [23]
not nominated[34] Passarando 2 $64,450 Steven Specht Larry D. & Marianne Williams [36]
not nominated[34] Prove Right 2 $37,375 James K. Chapman James K. Chapman & Stuart Tsujimoto [27]
60 Western Ghent 2 $37,325 D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Ann Ghent, Laurie & D. Wayne Lukas [5]
61 Il Miracolo 2 $26,535 Antonio Sano Alexandres [10]
not nominated[34] Gunflash 2 $24,000 Karl Broberg Jerry Namy [49]
not nominated[34] Quick To Accuse 2 $15,000 Horacio De Paz Rupp Racing [33]
injured[51] Tall Boy 2 $12,000 Leandro Mora Calumet Farm [9]
injured[52] Neural Network 2 $9,000 Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables [24]
62 Miranda Rights 2 $4,290 Mark E. Casse D. J. Stable [26]
not nominated[34] Andthewinneris 1 $248,363 Wayne Catalano Susan Moulton [12]
not nominated[34] Campfire Creed 1 $77,000 Danny Pish Dennis E. Foster [49]
not nominated[34] Midnight Trouble 1 $35,000 Peter R. Walder Paradise Farm Corp., David Staudacher & Peter R. Walder [33]
not nominated[34] Man Child 1 $30,000 Ryan Hanson California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing, Michelle Hanson, Richard C. Pearson, Timothy J. Husted & Robert Drenk [53]
63 Champions Dream 1 $20,000 Danny Gargan Rosedown Racing Stables [32]

Legend:

  Qualified for the Derby
  Injured/Bypassing/Inactive/Not nominated

Prep season

Initial prep events

Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point (except the Breeders' Cup Juvenile: 1st=30 points; 2nd=12 points; 3rd=9 points; 4th=6 points; 5th=3 points)

The dates for most races shown below are based on the placement in the racing calendar from 2021/2022. Similarly, the purses shown below are based on the amounts from the previous year and will be updated when finalized.

Race Distance Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Iroquois 1+1⁄16 miles $299,250 Churchill Downs Sep 17 2022 Curly Jack Honed Jace's Road Hayes Strike Confidence Game [11]
Champagne[lower-alpha 7] 1 mile $500,000 Aqueduct Oct 1 2022 Blazing Sevens Verifying Gulfport Andiamo a Firenze Champions Dream [32]
American Pharoah 1+1⁄16 miles $301,500 Santa Anita Oct 8 2022 Cave Rock[lower-alpha 8] National Treasure[lower-alpha 8] Hejazi[lower-alpha 8] Gandolfini[lower-alpha 8] Man Child [53]
Breeders' Futurity 1+1⁄16 miles $600,000 Keeneland Oct 8 2022 Forte Loggins Red Route One Instant Coffee Newgate[lower-alpha 8] [4]
Breeders' Cup Juvenile 1+1⁄16 miles $2,000,000 Keeneland Nov 4 2022 Forte Cave Rock[lower-alpha 8] National Treasure[lower-alpha 8] Blazing Sevens Curly Jack [56]
Kentucky Jockey Club 1+1⁄16 miles $399,625 Churchill Downs Nov 26 2022 Instant Coffee Curly Jack Haynes Strike Red Route One Denington [41]
Remsen 1+1⁄8 miles $250,000 Aqueduct Dec 3 2022 Dubyuhnell Arctic Arrogance Tuskegee Airmen Quick to Accuse Midnight Trouble [33]
Los Alamitos Futurity 1+1⁄16 miles $200,000 Los Alamitos Dec 17 2022 Practical Move Carmel Road[lower-alpha 9] Fort Bragg[lower-alpha 9] Tall Boy Arabian Lion[lower-alpha 9] [9]
Springboard Mile 1 mile $400,000 Remington Dec 17 2022 Wildatlanticstorm[lower-alpha 10] Giant Mischief[lower-alpha 10] Echo Again Gunflash Campfire Creed [49]
Gun Runner Stakes 1+1⁄16 miles $98,000 Fair Grounds Dec 26 2022 Jace's Road Raise Cain Determinedly Hayes Strike Andthewinneris [12]
Smarty Jones 1 mile $250,000 Oaklawn Jan 1 2023 Victory Formation Angel of Empire Denington Western Ghent How Did He Do That [5]
Jerome 1 mile $150,000 Aqueduct Jan 7 2023 Lugan Knight Arctic Arrogance General Banker Neural Network Andiamo a Firenze [24]
Sham 1 mile $100,000 Santa Anita Jan 8 2023 Reincarnate[lower-alpha 11] Newgate[lower-alpha 11] National Treasure[lower-alpha 11] Packs a Wahlop —[lower-alpha 12] [50]
El Camino Real Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $101,350 Golden Gate Feb 11 2023 Chase the Chaos Gilmore[lower-alpha 13] Harcyn Passarando Nullarbor[lower-alpha 13] [36]

Select prep events

Note: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points

Race Distance Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Lecomte 1+1⁄16 miles $194,000 Fair Grounds Jan 21 2023 Instant Coffee Two Phil's Confidence Game Denington Bromley [6]
Southwest 1+1⁄16 miles $750,000 Oaklawn Jan 28 2023 Arabian Knight[lower-alpha 14] Red Route One Frosted Departure Sun Thunder Jace's Road [22]
Holy Bull 1+1⁄16 miles $250,000 Gulfstream Feb 4 2023 Rocket Can Shadow Dragon West Coast Cowboy Legacy Isle Il Miracolo [10]
Robert B. Lewis[lower-alpha 15] 1+1⁄16 miles $196,000 Santa Anita Feb 4 2023 Newgate Hard To Figure Worcester Arabian Lion — [61]
Withers[lower-alpha 16] 1+1⁄8 miles $250,000 Aqueduct Feb 11 2023 Hit Show Arctic Arrogance General Banker Andiamo a Firenze Prove Right [27]
Sam F. Davis Stakes 1+1⁄16 miles $200,000 Tampa Bay Feb 11 2023 Litigate Groveland Classic Car Wash Classic Legacy Zydeceaux [23]
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes 1+1⁄16 miles $147,500 Turfway Mar 4 2023 Congruent Scoobie Quando Bromley Moon Landing Miranda Rights [26]

Championship series events

First leg of series

Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=15 points; 4th=10 points; 5th=5 points

Race Distance Purse Grade Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Risen Star 1+1⁄8 miles $400,000 2 Fair Grounds Feb 18 2023 Angel of Empire Sun Thunder Two Phil's Tapit's Conquest Single Ruler [38]
Rebel 1+1⁄16 miles $1,000,000 2 Oaklawn Feb 25 2023 Confidence Game Red Route One Reincarnate Verifying Bourbon Bash [17]
Fountain of Youth 1+1⁄16 miles $400,000 2 Gulfstream Mar 4 2023 Forte Rocket Can Cyclone Mischief Mage Shadow Dragon [16]
Gotham 1 mile $300,000 3 Aqueduct Mar 4 2023 Raise Cain Slip Mahoney General Banker Eyeing Clover Clear the Air [30]
San Felipe 1+1⁄16 miles $402,000 2 Santa Anita Mar 4 2023 Practical Move Geaux Rocket Ride Skinner Hejazi Fort Bragg [29]
Tampa Bay Derby 1+1⁄16 miles $360,000 3 Tampa Bay Mar 11 2023 Tapit Trice Classic Car Wash Classic Legacy Prairie Hawk Lord Miles [15]
Sunland Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $600,000 3 Sunland Park Mar 26 2023 Wild On Ice Low Expectations Henry Q How Did He Do That One In Vermillion [14]

Second leg of series

These races are the major preps for the Kentucky Derby, and are thus weighted more heavily. Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=30 points; 4th=20 points; 5th=10 points

Race Distance Purse Grade Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
UAE Derby 1,900 metres
(~1+3⁄16 miles)		 $1,000,000 2 Meydan Mar 25 2023 Derma Sotogake Dura Erede Continuar Perriere Go Soldier Go [7]
Louisiana Derby 1+3⁄16 miles $1,000,000 2 Fair Grounds Mar 25 2023 Kingsbarns Disarm Jace's Road Shopper's Revenge Sun Thunder [8]
Jeff Ruby 1+1⁄8 miles $694,000 3 Turfway Mar 25 2023 Two Phil's Major Dude Funtastic Again Wadsworth Maker's Candy [19]
Florida Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $1,000,000 1 Gulfstream Apr 1 2023 Forte Mage Cyclone Mischief Mr. Ripple Fort Bragg [31]
Arkansas Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $1,250,000 1 Oaklawn Park Apr 1 2023 Angel of Empire King Russell Reincarnate Rocket Can Airtime [21]
Blue Grass Stakes 1+1⁄8 miles $1,000,000 1 Keeneland Apr 8 2023
Santa Anita Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $1,000,000 1 Santa Anita Apr 8 2023
Wood Memorial 1+1⁄8 miles $1,000,000 2 Aqueduct Apr 8 2023

"Wild Card" events

Note: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points

Race Distance Purse Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Lexington 1+1⁄8 miles $200,000 Keeneland Apr 15 2023

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby is intended to provide a place in the Derby starting gate to the top finisher in the series. If the connections of that horse decline the invitation, their place is offered to the second-place finisher and so on through the top four finishers.

Race Distance Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Cattleya Sho 1,600 metres
(~1 mile)		 Tokyo Racecourse Nov 26 Continuar Mirror of Mind Jasri Plavi Froncorchamps [63]
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun 1,600 metres
(~1 mile)		 Kawasaki Racecourse Dec 14 Derma Sotogake Omatsuri Otoko Perriere Hero Call Maruka Rapid [64]
Hyacinth 1,600 metres
(~1 mile)		 Tokyo Racecourse Feb 19 Perriere Z Lien Eclogite Great Sand Sea Goraiko [65]
Fukuryu 1,800 metres
(~1+1⁄8 miles)		 Nakayama Racecourse Mar 25 Mitono O Mokku Mokku Hero Call Eifer Teio Oro y Plata [66]

Note:
Cattleya Sho: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points
Hyacinth: 1st=30 points; 2nd=12 points; 3rd=9 points; 4th=6 points; 5th=3 points
Fukuyru : 1st=40 points; 2nd=16 points; 3rd=12 points; 4th=8 points; 5th=4 points
ƒ Filly

Qualification Table

The top four horses (colored brown within the standings) are eligible to participate in the Kentucky Derby provided the horse is nominated.

Rank Horse Points Eligible
Earnings		 Trainer Owner Ref
1 Derma Sotogake (JPN) 120 $1,163,361 Hidetaka Otonashi Hiroyuki Asanuma
2 Perriere (JPN) 56 $383,704 Yoichi Kuroiwa Yuji Hasegawa
3 Continuar (JPN) 40 $338,095 Yoshito Yahagi Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd. Qualified[lower-alpha 17]
not nominated Mitono O (JPN) 40 $273,281 Koji Maki Royal Park
not nominated Hero Call (JPN) 16 $367,641 Satoshi Kokubo Yusuke Yamaguchi
4 Mokku Mokku (JPN) 16 $165,530 Ryo Terashima Masayuki Yamaguchi
not nominated Z Lien (JPN) 12 $172,038 Naohiro Yoshida Forest Co. Ltd.
5 Eclogite (JPN) 9 $146,056 Takayuki Yusada Sunday Racing Co.
not nominated Omatsuri Otoko (JPN) 8 $504,449 Keizo Ito Kohei Koreeda
not nominated Eifer Teio (JPN) 8 $124,570 Ippo Sameshima Minoru Nakashima
not nominated Great Sand Sea 6 $207,727 Mitsumasa Nakauchida Sanshisuimei
not nominated Oro Oro y Plata (JPN) 4 $112,788 Hiroshi Miyamoto Katsumi Yoshida
not nominated Mirror of Mind (JPN) 4 $112,662 Koichi Shinkai Shadai Race Horse
6 Goraiko (JPN) 3 $307,588 Koichi Shintani Koji Oka
not nominated Jasri (JPN) 3 $109,039 Toshiaki Tajima Yoko Koshimura
not nominated Maruka Rapid (JPN) 2 $217,526 Keizo Ito Takeshi Kusakabe
7 Plavi (JPN) 2 $90,138 Haruki Sugiyama Yuji Hasegawa
not nominated Francorchamps (JPN) 1 $48,551 Noboru Takagi La Mere

Notes:

  • brown highlight – qualified
  • grey highlight – did not qualify

European Road to the Kentucky Derby

The European Road to the Kentucky Derby is designed on a similar basis to the Japan Road and is intended to provide a place in the Derby starting gate to the top finisher in the series. If the connections of that horse decline the invitation, their place is offered to the second-place finisher and so on. If none of the top four accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the horses on the main road to the Derby.

The series consists of seven races – four run on the turf in late 2022 when the horses are age two, plus three races run on a synthetic surface in early 2023.

Race Distance Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Royal Lodge Stakes[lower-alpha 18] 1 mile Newmarket Sep 24 2022 The Foxes Dubai Mile Flying Honours Greenland — [67]
Beresford Stakes 1 mile The Curragh Sep 24 2022 Crypto Force Adelaide River Young Ireland Roaring Gallagher Lakota Seven [68]
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère 1,400 metres
(about 7 furlongs)		 Longchamp Oct 2 2022 Belbek Gamestop Breizh Sky Shartash Vicious Harry [69]
Vertem Futurity Trophy 1 mile Doncaster Oct 22 2022 Auguste Rodin Epictetus Holloway Boy Dancing Magic Salt Lake City [70]
Patton Stakes 1 mile Dundalk Mar 3 2023 Cairo News At Ten Stormy Entry Cash Out Miss Caruso [71]
Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes 1 mile Kempton Park Mar 15 2023 Brave Emperor Alzahir Tenjin Killybegs Warrior Coco Jack [72]
Cardinal Stakes 1 mile Chelmsford City Apr 1 2023 Bold Act Brave Emperor Killybegs Warrior Iconic Moment Alzahir [73]

Note:

  • the four races in 2022 for two-year-olds: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point
  • the first two races in 2023: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points
  • The Cardinal Condition Stakes: 1st=30 points; 2nd=12 points; 3rd=9 points; 4th=6 points 5th=3 points
Qualification Table

The top four horses (colored brown within the standings) are eligible to participate in the Kentucky Derby provided the horse is nominated.

Rank Horse Points Eligible
Earnings		 Trainer Owner Ref
1 Brave Emperor 32 $29,379 Archie Watson Middleham Park Racing
not nominated Bold Act 30 $0 Charlie Appleby Godolphin
2 Cairo 20 $62,984 Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerburg
not nominated Killybegs Warrior 13 $1,791 Charlie Johnston Mr. M. Doyle
not nominated Alzahir 11 $228,000 John & Thady Gosden Al Wasmiyah Stud, G. Bailey, N. Wrigley
not nominated Belbek 10 $279,323 Andre Fabre Nurlan Bizakov
not nominated Auguste Rodin 10 $222,687 Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerburg
not nominated The Foxes 10 $76,913 Andrew Balding King Power Racing
not nominated Crypto Force 10 $69,768 Michael O’Callaghan Amo Racing
not nominated News At Ten 8 $8,478 Michael O’Callaghan Michael O’Callaghan
not nominated Iconic Moment 6 $31,154 James Tate Sultan Ali
not nominated Tenjin 6 $5,914 John Ryan Mr. Jon A. Thompson
3 Stormy Entry 6 $4,239 W.P. Browne Charles E. Fipke
not nominated Gamestop 4 $101,588 Christophe Ferland Wertheimer et Frère
not nominated Epictetus 4 $64,909 John & Thady Gosden George Strawbridge
not nominated Adelaide River 4 $39,267 Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerburg
not nominated Dubai Mile 4 $29,159 Charlie Johnston Ahmad Al Shaikh
not nominated Cash Out 4 $2,120 Joseph O'Brien R. Scarborough
not nominated Holloway Boy 3 $158,185 Karl Burke Nick White & Mrs. E. Burke
not nominated Breizh Sky 3 $91,301 Alessandro & Giusppe Botti Alain Jathiere & Ecurie Elag
not nominated Flying Honours 3 $39,968 Charlie Appleby Godolphin
not nominated Young Ireland 3 $12,833 Jim Bolger Mrs. Jim S. Bolger
not nominated Shartash 2 $160,989 Johnny Murtagh Aga Khan
not nominated Dancing Magic 2 $26,226 Roger Teal Fishdance
4 Greenland 2 $9,011 Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerburg

Notes:

  • brown highlight – qualified
  • grey highlight – did not qualify

Notes
  1. See the following list[1] for details
  2. Earnings from non-restricted stakes prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby serve as a tie-breaker.
  3. Originally Wild On Ice was not nominated for the Triple Crown events, but after his victory in the Sunland Derby connections paid the late nomination fee and hence, he is eligible for the Kentucky Derby.[13]
  4. Originally King Russell was not nominated for the Triple Crown events, but connections paid the late nomination fee and hence, he is eligible for the Kentucky Derby[20]
  5. Continuar (JPN) has accepted an invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby for accruing 40 points in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series.[3]
  6. Originally Chase the Chaos was not nominated for the Triple Crown events, but connections paid the late nomination fee and hence, he is eligible for the Kentucky Derby[20]
  7. In 2022 the Champagne Stakes was moved to Aqueduct due to track construction at Belmont Park[54]
  8. Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Cave Rock, National Treasure, Hejazi, Gandolfini and Newgate are trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.[55]
  9. Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Carmel Road, Fort Bragg and Arabian Lion are trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.[57]
  10. Horses that ran with medication (Lasix) do not receive any points towards qualification. Wildatlanticstorm and Giant Mischief received no points from the Springboard Mile.[58]
  11. Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Reincarnate, Newgate and National Treasure are trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.
  12. Spun Intended the fifth starter in the Sham Stakes was pulled up during the event and was vanned off not completing the race
  13. Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Gilmore and Nullarbor are trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.
  14. Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Arabian Knight is trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.[59]
  15. All the entries in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes were trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023. Hence, none of the finishers earned any qualification points.[60]
  16. Originally the Withers Stakes was scheduled for February 4, 2023 but NYRA canceled the meeting due to high winds and frigid temperatures forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area[62]
  17. Continuar (JPN) has accepted an invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby accruing 40 points in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series.[3]
  18. There were only four starters in the Royal Lodge Stakes

References
  1. "2022/23 Kentucky Derby Prep Races" (PDF). Churchill Downs Inc. September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. "Churchill Downs Adjusts Derby-Qualifying Points System Horses trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert remain ineligible this year for points". Churchill Downs Inc. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  3. "Road to the Kentucky Derby 149" (PDF). www.kentuckyderby.com. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  4. "2022 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  5. "2023 Smarty Jones Stakes Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  6. "2023 Lecomte Stakes Grade 3 – (race 14)". Equibase. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  7. "2023 UAE Derby sponsored by Atlantis The Royal (Group 2)". Racing Post. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. "2023 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  9. "2022 Los Alamitos Futurity Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  10. "2023 Holy Bull Stakes - Grade 3 (race 12)". Equibase. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  11. "2022 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  12. "2022 Gun Runner Stakes Black type – (race 11)". Equibase. 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  13. Rampellini, Mary (27 March 2023). "2023 Kentucky Derby: Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice made eligible to Triple Crown". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  14. "2023 Sunland Park Derby Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  15. "2023 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Grade 3 (race 11)". Equibase. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  16. "2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes Grade 2 (race 14)". Equibase. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  17. "2023 Rebel Stakes Grade 2 – (race 11)". Equibase. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  18. Bypass
  19. "2023 Jeff Ruby Steaks Grade 3 – (race 12)". Equibase. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  20. "Wild On Ice Among a Dozen Late Nominees to Triple Crown;With his nomination, Wild On Ice has 50 qualifying points toward the May 6 Derby". BloodHorse.com. Churchill Downs Press Release. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  21. "2023 Arkansas Derby Grade 1 – (race 12)". Equibase. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  22. "2023 Southwest Stakes - Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  23. "2023 Sam F. Davis Stakes - Grade 3 (race 10)". Equibase. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  24. "2023 Jerome Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  25. Bypass
  26. "2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Listed (race 8)". Equibase. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  27. "2023 Withers Stakes - Grade 3 (race 9)". Equibase. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  28. "Litigate For Pletcher Off The Derby Trail". Thoroughbed Daily News. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  29. "2023 San Felipe Stakes Grade 2 (race 6)". Equibase. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  30. "2023 Gotham Stakes Grade 3 (race 9)". Equibase. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  31. "2023 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Grade 1 – (race 14)". Equibase. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  32. "2022 Champagne Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  33. "2022 Remsen Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  34. "2023 Triple Crown Nominations". TheTripleCrown.com. BloodHorse. February 2023.
  35. Bypass
  36. "2023 El Camino Real Derby Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  37. Bypass
  38. "2023 Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Lincoln and Lamarque Crescent City Ford Grade 2 – (race 13)". Equibase. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  39. Bypass
  40. Bypass
  41. "2022 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Grade 2 – (race 11)". Equibase. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  42. Bypass
  43. "Breeders' Futurity Runner Up Loggins Off Derby Trail". Thoroughbed Daily News. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  44. Bypass
  45. Bypass
  46. Bypass
  47. Bypass
  48. Bypass
  49. "2022 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Listed – (race 12)". Equibase. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  50. "2023 Sham Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  51. Bypass
  52. Bypass
  53. "2022 American Pharoah Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  54. Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin". Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  55. King, Byron (1 October 2021). "Corniche Delivers as Heavy Favorite in American Pharoah". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  56. "Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1 - race 9)". equibase.com. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  57. Tracy, Gantz (17 December 2022). "CPractical Move Upsets Baffert Trio in Los Al Futurity; The victory earned the Practical Joke colt 10 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  58. Day, Dale (18 December 2022). "Local Wildcatlanticstorm Upsets in Springboard Mile; Third time in the past five years, locally-based horse took on all shippers and won". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  59. "Arabian Knight Exits Southwest in 'Great' Condition; Next-race plans are pending for the impressive Southwest Stakes (G3) winner". BloodHorse.com. Oaklawn Park. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  60. Rollins, Molly (4 February 2023). "Newgate Triumphs in Battle of the Bafferts; Into Mischief colt landed first stakes win in the Feb. 4 Robert B. Lewis (G3)". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  61. "2023 Robert B. Lewis Stakes - Grade 3 (race 3)". Equibase. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  62. "Aqueduct Racing Canceled Feb. 3-4 Due to Weather; High winds, frigid temperatures forecast to impact New York metropolitan area". BloodHorse.com. NYRA. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  63. "Saturday, November 26, 2022, 5th TOKYO 7-day Race 9: CATTLEYA STAKES". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  64. "December 14, 2022 (Wednesday) Kawasaki 11th Race Dirt 1600 m (Left) Race 11: ZENNIPPON NISAI YUSHUN". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  65. "Hyacinth (Result)". Umanity – Japan Racing English results site. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  66. "Fukuryu Stakes (Result)". Umanity – Japan Racing English results site. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  67. "Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2)". SportingLife.com. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  68. "Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes (Group 2)". SportingLife.com. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  69. "Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Group 1)". SportingLife.com. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  70. "Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1)". SportingLife.com. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  71. "Patton Stakes (Listed)". SportingLife.com. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  72. "'Road To The Kentucky Derby' Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)". SportingLife.com. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  73. "Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes (The Road To The Kentucky Derby) (GBB Race)". racingpost.com. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
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