The Kentucky Derby is on May 6, 2023, and the contenders earn points in selected prep races across the country. Since the Derby field is limited to 20 entrants, there has to be a method for determining which of the many horses who want to enter can get in the race. In the past, graded stakes earnings were used to determine who will get in the field when entries are taken, but many people disliked this system since one good race as a 2-year-old could get a sub-par horse in over a more talented late bloomer. Since 2013, a new points system called the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" where a specific series of 37 prep races each worth a specific amount of points has decided which horses get in the Derby. A similar system is also in place for the Kentucky Oaks run on May 6, but fillies who want in the Derby will have to compete in with the colts for Derby points. While Derby points earned by fillies will also count toward the Oaks, Oaks points will not count towards the Derby.
Below is a list of horses in order of points earned for both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks as of March 29, 2023. Also included for comparison are their earnings in non-restricted stakes races which also serve as a tie-breaker. There are also a separate Japan Road to the Derby and European Road to the Derby which guarantee a spot to one horse from Japan and one horse from Europe, if they opt to come for the Kentucky Derby.
Results and schedule for the Road to the Derby races. Horses trained by Bob Baffert are not allowed to earn points as he has been banned from the Derby in 2023, however horses can be transferred to other trainers by the February 28 deadline and begin scoring points when racing under the new trainer's name, and can run in the Derby if they draw in with sufficient points.
Mo Donegal romps in the 2022 Belmont Stakes - Saturday at Belmont, Mo Donegal drew away in the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes by 3 lengths over filly Nest and Skippylongstocking while Derby hero Rich Strike finished 6th. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Belmont Undercard Stakes Results - There were eight other stakes on the 2022 Belmont undercard, including the Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Manhattan Handicap (G1), Just a Game Stakes (G1), Acorn Stakes (G1), Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) won by Flightline, Tribhuvan, Regal Glory, Matareya, Clairiere, and Jack Christopher. Get the results, charts, and photos for all eight races here.
Early Voting burns up the Preakness (G1) - On an oppressively hot Saturday at Pimlico, Early Voting pressed the pace to win the 2022 Preakness Stakes (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths over favorite Epicenter and Creative Minister. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Black-Eyed Susan Day Results - Interstatedaydream pressed the pace and took the lead in the stretch to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) by 1 1/4 lengths at Pimlico on Friday while favorite Adare Manor finished 2nd. There were 5 other stakes on the card including the Pimlico Special (G3) won by First Captain, the Allaire Dupont Distaff (G3) won by Super Quick, and the Hilltop Stakes won by Pizza Bianca. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
Rich Strike shocks in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) - Saturday at Churchill Downs, long shot Rich Strike who drew in from the also-eligibles rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 3/4 length over favorite Epicenter with Zandon third. He is the second highest paying Derby winner ever. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Secret Oath wins the 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) - Secret Oath drew away in the muddy stretch to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 2 lengths at Churchill Downs on Friday, giving trainer D. Wayne Lukas his 5th Oaks victory. Favorite Nest was second and long shot Desert Dawn was third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
Early Triple Crown Nominations - 369 horses where nominated by the early deadline of January 28 for the 2023 Triple Crown. Trainer Brad Cox nominated the most with 38 followed by Todd Pletcher with 36. Check out all the horses and free past performances from BRISnet.
Triple Crown Trivia Quiz - test your knowledge of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont and compete with others.
Send this page to a friend - know someone who would like to see this page? Click here to send them the link.
The Kentucky Derby is on May 6, 2023, and the contenders earn points in selected prep races across the country. Since the Derby field is limited to 20 entrants, there has to be a method for determining which of the many horses who want to enter can get in the race. In the past, graded stakes earnings were used to determine who will get in the field when entries are taken, but many people disliked this system since one good race as a 2-year-old could get a sub-par horse in over a more talented late bloomer. Since 2013, a new points system called the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" where a specific series of 37 prep races each worth a specific amount of points has decided which horses get in the Derby. A similar system is also in place for the Kentucky Oaks run on May 6, but fillies who want in the Derby will have to compete in with the colts for Derby points. While Derby points earned by fillies will also count toward the Oaks, Oaks points will not count towards the Derby.
