Prep Races on the Road to 2020 Kentucky Derby
In 2013, Churchill Downs implemented a points-based system for horses to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.
Now in its eighth year, the road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby will include 35 prep races held at different tracks at different points on the calendar.
The early prep races, beginning in the fall of the horses' 2-year-old year and continuing through the Southwest Stakes on February 17th, are worth 10 points to the winner, 4 to the second-place finisher, 2 to third and 1 to fourth.
Then, the Road to the Derby really heats up in the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. For these 16 races, the points are upped to 50 points to the winner, 20 to second, and 10 and 5 points for third- and fourth-place finishers, respectively, through the Sunland Derby in March.
The largest prep races are held about a month before the Derby and offer the most points to its participants (100-40-20-10). These include prestigious long-time Kentucky Derby preps such as the Santa Anita Derby, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, Louisiana Derby and the Wood Memorial.
Now in its eighth year, the road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby will include 35 prep races held at different tracks at different points on the calendar.
The early prep races, beginning in the fall of the horses' 2-year-old year and continuing through the Southwest Stakes on February 17th, are worth 10 points to the winner, 4 to the second-place finisher, 2 to third and 1 to fourth.
Then, the Road to the Derby really heats up in the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. For these 16 races, the points are upped to 50 points to the winner, 20 to second, and 10 and 5 points for third- and fourth-place finishers, respectively, through the Sunland Derby in March.
The largest prep races are held about a month before the Derby and offer the most points to its participants (100-40-20-10). These include prestigious long-time Kentucky Derby preps such as the Santa Anita Derby, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, Louisiana Derby and the Wood Memorial.