Churchill Modifies Point Distribution For 2024 Road To The Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs Racetrack officials have made slight modifications to the upcoming Road to the Kentucky Derby, the series of select races that will determine the preference list for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby, which debuted in 2013, annually awards a sliding scale of points to the top five finishing positions in select qualifying races. At the conclusion of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby – the 1 ¼-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds annually held on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Second-place points in all qualifying races have been increased to create added separation from second- and third-place finishers. Additionally, third- and fourth-place points in races that award 100 points to winner have been decreased.

Series Races Last Year This Year
Early Prep Season 10-4-3-2-1 10-5-3-2-1
Breeders' Cup 30-12-9-6-3 30-15-9-6-3
Late Prep Season 20-8-6-4-2 20-10-6-4-2
Early Championship Series 50-20-15-10-5 50-25-15-10-5
Late Championship Series 100-40-30-20-10 100-50-25-15-10

In other changes:

  • The $200,000 Street Sense (G3) to be run at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs has been added to the Early Prep Season;
  • The Sunland Derby at Sunland Park has been decreased in value from 50-20-15-10-5 in 2023 to 20-10-6-4-2 in 2024.

This is the 12th straight year that Churchill Downs has used a point system to determine entrants for its famed Kentucky Derby. At least 20 horses have entered the “Run for the Roses” in 22 of the last 25 years.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin Saturday, Sept. 16 at the home of America's greatest race as Churchill Downs stages the 42nd running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade 3) for 2-year-olds at one mile on opening weekend of its 14-day September Meet.

In addition to the primary 37-race Road to the Kentucky Derby series, there are two separate series that each carve out one spot for a potential horse from Europe and Japan.

Similar changes made to the Road to the Kentucky Derby have been made to the 32-race Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, which awards points to fillies to qualify for the 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, May 3, 2024:

  • The $200,000 Rags to Riches to be run at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs has been added to the Early Prep Season;
  • The Sunland Park Oaks at Sunland Park has been decreased in value from 50-20-15-10-5 in 2023 to 20-10-6-4-2 in 2024; and
  • The seven-furlong Beaumont at Keeneland has been removed from the Championship Series.

HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY DERBY STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that awards points to the Top 5 finishers in each race. The top 18 point earners will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), which is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024. One invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Europe Road to the Kentucky presented by Woodford Reserve and one invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters since 1975. At least 20 horses have entered the 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-olds in 22 of the last 25 years.

2023-24 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 37 RACES

Kentucky Derby Prep Season

 

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 16, 2023 Iroquois Churchill Downs III $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Champagne Aqueduct I $500,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Breeders' Futurity Keeneland I $600,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 American Pharoah Santa Anita I $300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 29, 2023 Street Sense Churchill Downs III $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Nov. 3, 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Santa Anita I $2,000,000 1 1/16 M 30 15 9 6 3
Nov. 25, 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 2, 2023 Remsen Aqueduct II $250,000 1 1/8 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Dec. 9, 2023 Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos II *$200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 15, 2023 Springboard Mile Remington Park   $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 23, 2023 Gun Runner Fair Grounds   $100,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Jan. 1, 2024 Smarty Jones Oaklawn Park   $300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 6, 2024 Jerome Aqueduct   *$150,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 7, 2024 Sham Santa Anita III *$100,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Jan. 20, 2024 Lecomte Fair Grounds III $200,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 27, 2024 Southwest Oaklawn Park III $800,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Holy Bull Gulfstream Park III *$250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita III *$200,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 10, 2024 Withers Aqueduct III *$250,000 1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 10, 2024 Sam F. Davis Tampa Bay Downs III $250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*March 2, 2024 John Battaglia Memorial Turfway Park   *$150,000 1 1/16 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2

Kentucky Derby Championship Series

Feb. 17, 2024 Risen Star Fair Grounds II $400,000 1 1/8 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb, 18, 2024 Sunland Derby Sunland Park III *$600,000 *1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 24, 2024 Rebel Oaklawn Park II $1,250,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Gotham Aqueduct III *$300,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 San Felipe Santa Anita II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
March 9, 2024 Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 23, 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks Turfway Park III *$700,000 1 1/8 M (AW) 100 50 25 15 10
March 23, 2024 Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds II $1,000,000 1 3/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 UAE Derby Meydan Racecourse II *$1,000,000 1 3/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*March 30, 2024 Florida Derby Gulfstream Park I *$1,000,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park I $1,500,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Wood Memorial Aqueduct II *$750,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Blue Grass Keeneland I *$1,000,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita I *$750,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 13, 2024 Lexington Keeneland III *$400,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.

2023-24 EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE

EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2018, the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. Only one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. No invitation will be extended beyond the Top 4 point earners but if a horse also qualifies through America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series, the invite will be extended to the next eligible horse. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreakers are earnings in non-restricted stakes races through April 13, 2024 followed by lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Since 1967, there have been 53 horses who previously raced outside North America and ran in the Kentucky Derby. Venezuela's Canonero II won the 1971 Derby and Puerto Rico's Bold Forbes won the Derby in 1976. Bold Arrangement (GB), who was campaigned in Great Britain and France, finished second to Ferdinand in the 1986 renewal.

2023-24 EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 7 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 23, 2023 Alan Smurfit Memorial

Beresford

Curragh (IRE) II $127,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Sept. 30, 2023 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Newmarket (GB) II $150,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 1, 2023 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc

Lagardère

Longchamp (FR) I $425,000 7 F (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 28, 2023 Vertem Futurity Trophy Doncaster (GB) I $240,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
*March 1, 2024 Patton Dundalk (IRE)   *$40,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2
*March 13, 2024 Road to the Kentucky

Derby Condition Stakes

Kempton (GB)   *$72,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2
*March 30, 2024 Cardinal Condition Stakes Chelmsford City

(GB)

  *$121,000 1 M (AW) 30 15 9 6 3

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (T) = Turf … (AW) = Synthetic.

JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2017, the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. Only one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. If a horse also qualifies through America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series, an additional invite could be extended. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Six horses based in Japan have run in the Kentucky Derby: Ski Captain (14th, 1995); Lani (9th, 2016); Master Fencer (JPN) (6th, 2019); Crown Pride (JPN) (13th in 2022); Derma Sotogake (JPN) (6th in 2023); and Mandarin Hero (JPN) (12th in 2023).

2023-24 JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 4 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Nov. 25, 2023 Cattleya Tokyo (JRA)   *$220,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 13, 2023 Zen-Nippon

Nisai Yushun

Kawasaki (NAR)   *$527,000 1 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 18, 2024 Hyacinth Tokyo (JRA)   *$274,000 1 M 30 15 9 6 3
*March 23, 2024 Fukuryu Nakayama (JRA)   *$265,000 1 1/8 M 40 20 12 8 4

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change.

HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY OAKS STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Oaks is a series that awards points to the Top 5 finishers in each race. The Top 14 point earners nominated to the Longines Kentucky Oaks will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 150th running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), which is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2024. The 1 1/8-mile Oaks is the nation's premier race for 3-year-old fillies. At least 14 horses have entered the race in eight of the last nine years (a rescheduled September 2020 in the lone exception).

2023-24 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS SCHEDULE: 32 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 16, 2023 Pocahontas Churchill Downs III $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 6, 2023 Alcibiades Keeneland I $600,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Frizette Aqueduct I $400,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Chandelier Santa Anita II $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 29, 2023 Rags to Riches Churchill Downs   $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Nov. 3, 2023 Breeders' Cup Juv. Fillies Santa Anita I $2,000,000 1 1/16 M 30 15 9 6 3
Nov. 25, 2023 Golden Rod Churchill Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 2, 2023 Demoiselle Aqueduct II $250,000 1 1/8 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Dec. 9, 2023 Starlet Los Alamitos I *$300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 23, 2023 Untapable Fair Grounds   $100,000 1 M 70 Y 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 7, 2024 Santa Ynez Santa Anita II *$200,000 7 F 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 13, 2024 Busanda Aqueduct   *$100,000 1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 20, 2024 Silverbulletday Fair Grounds II $150,000 1 M 70 Y 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 27, 2024 Martha Washington Oaklawn Park   $250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Jan. 27, 2024 Las Virgenes Santa Anita III *$200,000 1 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Forward Gal Gulfstream Park III *$125,000 7 F 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 10, 2024 Suncoast Tampa Bay Downs   $150,000 1 M 40 Y 20 10 6 4 2
*March 2, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy Turfway Park   *$150,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2

Championship Series

*Feb. 16, 2024 UAE Oaks Meydan Racecourse III *$150,000 1 3/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb. 17, 2024 Rachel Alexandra Fair Grounds II $300,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb. 18, 2024 Sunland Park Oaks Sunland Park   *$300,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 24, 2024 Honeybee Oaklawn Park III $400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Davona Dale Gulfstream Park II *$200,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Busher Aqueduct   *$200,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 3, 2024 Santa Ysabel Santa Anita III *$100,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
March 23, 2024 Fair Grounds Oaks Fair Grounds II $400,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*March 23, 2024 Bourbonette Oaks Turfway Park   *$300,000 1 1/16 M (AW) 50 25 15 10 5
*March 30, 2024 Gulfstream Park Oaks Gulfstream Park II *$250,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 Fantasy Oaklawn Park III $750,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 5, 2024 Ashland Keeneland I *$600,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Gazelle Aqueduct III *$250,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Santa Anita Oaks Santa Anita II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.

RTKD AND RTKO RULES

TIEBREAKERS –

  • America's Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is earnings in non-restricted stakes races. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lifetime earnings. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”).
  • European Road to the Kentucky Derby: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is earnings in non-restricted stakes races through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby.”
  • Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.”

FILLIES – If a filly wants to run in the Kentucky Derby she can, but she'll have to earn her way into the field by accumulating points against open company just like the rest of the colts and geldings. Additionally, any points earned by a filly in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series against open company will be credited to her point total in the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series. If a filly garners an invitation to the Kentucky Derby via the “European Road to the Kentucky” or “Japan Road to the Kentucky,” ownership may opt to instead use that invitation to the Kentucky Oaks.

DEAD-HEATS – In the event of a dead-heat (tie) those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other.

SPLIT DIVISIONS – In the event a 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 reduced for each division, points will be reduced proportionally as well.

LASIX – Points will only be awarded to horses who compete on race day without Furosemide (often referred to by the brand name, Lasix) in Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks races. Any points earned by horses with Lasix on race day will be vacated. The 2021 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks marked the first year those races were run without the permitted use of Lasix.

MEDICATION VIOLATIONS – If the connections of a horse have been notified by a regulatory body about a medication violation from participation in a Road to the Kentucky Derby or Road to the Kentucky Oaks race, and that violation would result in disqualification, any accrued points from the race will be revoked until the matter reaches a legal conclusion. Accrued points will be reinstated if the matter is legally overturned prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks.

DERBY/OAKS TRAINER SUSPENSION – Points from any race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks will not be awarded to any horse trained by any individual who is suspended from racing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby or 2024 Kentucky Oaks or any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised, or advised by a suspended trainer. Should a horse trained by a suspended trainer, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised, or advised by a suspended trainer, finish in a position that would have earned points in a Road to the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks race, the points associated with that finish position will be vacated.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world's most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

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