Kentucky Derby
Prep Races

Road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby: Prep
Races

The spotlight is squarely on May 4th as officials trigger the start of the
race with the iconic bell ring. But the journey to this moment began long before, with competitors
fiercely dueling one another month after month on the Road to the Kentucky Derby path.

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What are the Kentucky Derby Prep Races?

The Kentucky Derby Prep Races are a series of thoroughbred horse racing
events that take place across the United States and beyond. They are collectively known as the ‘Road
to the Kentucky Derby’ —  a pathway that begins in September and extends to the main event — and
operates on a points system where participants accumulate points in an attempt to qualify for a
position at Churchill Downs. 

Road to the Kentucky Derby 2024: Key Facts

• Dates:
  September 16, 2023, to April 13, 2024

• Paths: The
  U.S. Main Road, the European Road, and the Japan Road

• Location:
  Races are held in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Japan

• Distance:
  Varies from 1 mile to 1 1/8 miles

• Horse Types:
  Two and three-year-old thoroughbreds eligible

• Surface:
  Dirt and synthetic tracks.

• Points System:
  Tiered, ranging from 10-4-2-1 in early races to 100-50-30-20 in
  final preps

• Popular Races with Horse Racing Fans: The Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, UAE Derby, and Blue Grass
  Stakes

• Prize Money:
  Ranges significantly, with top races offering over a million
  dollars in purses

History of the Kentucky Prep Races

Before the new points system came into effect in 2012, the Kentucky Derby
field was determined by earnings from all graded stakes races. This approach essentially gave equal
weight to earnings from juvenile races, sprints, and turf competitions alongside traditional Derby
prep races. It often led to a field selection that did not necessarily reflect the performance or
suitability of horses for the Derby’s specific distance and surface conditions.

Kentucky Derby Prep Races Season 2023-2024 

The Kentucky Derby is among the most prestigious events around the world.
Horse racing fans from all over the globe travel to Churchill Downs to witness up close and personal
the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds in the world competing for a $5 million prize purse. At the
gate, 20 positions are up for grabs; 18 from the United States, one reserved for the top finisher in
European events, and another for the leading horse from the Japan series.

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How to Qualify for the Kentucky Derby

The 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby includes 36 pivotal races divided into
the Prep Season and the Championship Series. Each contest is assigned a specific point value,
deliberately structured to escalate as competitors edge closer to the day of the Derby. 

• Prep Season:

• Runs from late September to early March, awarding points on a
  10-5-3-2-1 scale to the top five finishers in each race. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the
  season’s highlight, offers points at a 30-15-9-6-3 scale and boasts a $2,000,000 prize
  purse. Other notable races like the Robert B. Lewis and Holy Bull provide points at a
  20-10-6-4-2 scale.

• Championship Series:

• Divided into two legs plus a ‘wild card’ round. The first features
  minor prep races, usually Grade II, on a 50-25-15-10-5 hierarchy, leading into the second
  leg’s Super Six Prep races: Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Arkansas Derby, Louisiana
  Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Wood Memorial Stakes. Each of these can significantly impact
  standings, with 100 points awarded to the winners.

• Wild Card Races:

• Positioned towards the Championship Series’ conclusion, these
  races offer a final opportunity to accrue points, typically on a 20-8-4-2 scale. They serve
  as a last-ditch effort for horses on the cusp of qualification and can be crucial for any
  late surges in the leaderboard.

• Filling the Positions

• The 18 horses with the highest number of points at the end
  of the Championship Series are eligible to enter the Kentucky Derby. Owners must then
  pay entry ($25,000) and starting ($25,000) fees and declare their intention to run. If
  any of the qualifiers do not enter the race, their spot is offered to the next horse in
  the standings.

• Tie-Breaking:

• In the event of a tie in the points, the deadlock is resolved by
  comparing earnings in non-restricted stakes races. The thinking behind it is to try and get
  the most consistently performing horses throughout the season while prioritizing success in
  high-stakes competitions.

• International Qualifiers:

• The Kentucky Derby reserves spots for international competitors
  through two separate paths: the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby” and the “Japan Road to
  the Kentucky Derby.” Each of these roads has its own series of races and points system, with
  the top finishers (one European and one Japanese) earning a spot for the most exciting two minutes in sports.

What changes have been made to the Road to the Kentucky Derby
format for 2024?

2024 Kentucky Derby Prep Races Schedule and
Results

September 16th initiated the prestigious journey for the first Triple
Crown leg at Churchill Downs. Along the way, Brad Cox’s Timberlake has surged ahead in the points
standings with several overpowering performances and a decisive victory in the Grade 2 Rebel.
Dornoch, under Danny Gargan’s guidance and jockey Luis Saez, emerged as a formidable contender,
grabbing the spoils at the Remsen Stakes and Fountain of Youth. Turning heads as well are horses
like Sierra Leone and Honor Marie, the latter distinguished by Jody Demling’s expert analysis for
its notable track record at Churchill Downs.

How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races

Betting on Kentucky Derby Prep Races at  BUSR is very straightforward.
Start by:

1. Entering your login credentials and logging in.

2. Click or tap on the horse racing section.

3. Browse through the list of races and select the specific Kentucky
   Derby Prep Race you’re interested in. These will be named individually (e.g., Florida Derby,
   Santa Anita Derby).

4. Each horse participating in the selected prep race will have odds
   listed. Review these along with recent form, track records, trainer success rates, and
   jockey performances to refine your betting strategy.

5. Decide on the type of bet you’d like to place. Options include
   straightforward bets like Win, Place, Show, or more complex wagers such as Exacta, Trifecta,
   Superfecta, and so on.

6. Click “ADD TO BET SLIP” to add your selections.

7. Review your bet slip. This is found on the right side of the
   screen (desktop) or in a mobile ‘Shopping Cart’ and allows you to make necessary adjustments
   if required.

8. Confirm and finalize your wager by clicking “PLACE BET.”

9. You’ll receive a ticket number as confirmation that your bet has
   been placed.

FAQ

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is the inaugural event of the Triple Crown and is
scheduled for May 4th, 2024.

Which is the most important Kentucky Derby prep
race?

Each one of these races can significantly impact the final leaderboard,
with 210 points to be divided among the top five finishers.

How many prep races are there for the Kentucky
Derby?

There are a total of 36 races split into the Prep Season (20) and the
Championship Series (16). Additionally, there are 7 races in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby
and 4 races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Is the Road to the Kentucky Derby part of the Triple
Crown?

No, the Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of qualifying races that
determine which horses can compete in the Kentucky Derby, not a part of the Triple Crown
itself.