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2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby

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The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of races in 2024–2025 through which horses qualified for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, which will be held on May 3.

The field for the Derby was limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field. There were three separate paths for horses to take to qualify for the Derby: the main Road consisting of races in North America, the Japan Road consisting of four races in Japan, and the Euro/MidEast road consisting of seven races in England, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and France. The top five finishers in the specified races received points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races acted as a tie breaker.

For 2025, the main Road to the Kentucky Derby resembled the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby, consisting of 36 races, with 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 15 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season with the following changes:[a]

  • The Virginia Derby, previously run as Grade III event on the turf, is to be held on March 15 at Colonial Downs on the dirt and has been added to the Championship Season
  • The Listed Sunland Park Derby has been moved from the Kentucky Derby Championship Season to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season
  • The UAE Derby has been moved from the main North American road and placed in the rebranded Euro/Mideast road
  • The Cardinal Stakes has been removed from the Euro/Mideast road

Also there has been an adjustment of points in Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. A minimum of six horses is required for full points to be awarded. Reduced points will be offered if fewer than six horses start. Three-fourth points will be available when five horses start, and half points if four or fewer horses start.

Standings

[edit]

The following table shows the points earned in the eligible races for the main series.[1]B Entrants that have been nominated are ranked in the standings.[2]

As of April 28, 2025
Rank[1] Horse Points Earnings[b] Trainer Owner Ref
1 Burnham Square 130 $927,425 Ian R. Wilkes Whitham Thoroughbreds [3]
2 Sandman 129 $1,117,995 Mark E. Casse D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds & CJ Stables [4]
3 Journalism[c] 122.5 $600,000 Michael W. McCarthy Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. LaPenta; as lessees Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor [6]
4 Rodriguez 121.25 $476,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [7]
5 Tiztastic 119 $1,395,800 Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor [8]
injured[d] Tappan Street 110 $619,400 Brad H. Cox China Horse Club, WinStar Farm & Cold Press Racing [3]
6 Sovereignty 110 $548,800 William I. Mott Godolphin [8]
7 Final Gambit 100 $446,400 Brad H. Cox Juddmonte Farms [10]
8 Coal Battle 95 $1,169,500 Lonnie Briley Norman Stables [11]
9 Chunk of Gold 75 $324,400 Ethan West Terry L. Stephens [12]
10 Citizen Bull 71.25 $1,436,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [13]
11 Owen Almighty[e] 65 $430,935 Brian A. Lynch Flying Dutchmen [4]
12 East Avenue 60 $612,500 Brendan P. Walsh Godolphin [16]
13 Publisher 60 $355,000 Steven M. Asmussen Gus King & Estate of Brereton C. Jones [17]
14 American Promise 55 $335,000 D. Wayne Lukas BC Stables [12]
injured[18] Magnitude 55 $325,005 Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds [19]
bypassing[f] River Thames[g] 50 $176,700 Todd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Pantofel Stable & Wachtel Stable [19]
bypassing[h] Flood Zone 50 $174,993 Brad H. Cox Wathnan Racing [23]
15 Flying Mohawk 50 $156,800 Whit Beckman Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing & Kaleta Racing [10]
16 Grande 50 $140,000 Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable [24]
bypassing[1] Getaway Car 46 $578,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [13]
bypassing[i] Madaket Road 46 $290,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [17]
bypassing[j] Built 45 $180,000 Wayne M. Catalano Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners [7]
17 Neoequos 40 $153,250 Saffie Joseph Jr. Ian Parsard, Shining Stables & Stefania Farms [21]
18 Render Judgment 39 $163,172 Kenneth G. McPeek Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing & Rocket Ship Racing [3]
19 Luxor Cafe Japan $257,209 Noriyuki Hori Koichi Nishikawa [1]
20 Admire Daytona (JPN) E/ME[k] $599,044 Yukihiro Kato Junko Kondo [1]
bypassing[l] Heart of Honor (GB) E/ME[m] $281,558 Jamie Osbourne Jim & Claire Limited [1]
21 Baeza 37.5 $100,000 John Shirreffs C R K Stable & Grandview Estate [28]
bypassing[1] Chancer McPatrick 35 $565,625 Chad C. Brown Flanagan Racing [29]
bypassing[1] Captain Cook 35 $187,500 Richard Dutrow Jr. St. Elias Stable [30]
bypassing[1] John Hancock 35 $160,000 Brad H. Cox China Horse Club & WinStar Farm [31]
bypassing[1] Maximum Promise 33 $96,150 Kenneth G. McPeek Back Racing & Run for LaRoses [32]
bypassing[1] Poster 31 $194,700 Eoin G. Harty Godolphin [33]
bypassing[1] Barnes 26.25 $180,000 Bob Baffert Zedan Racing Stables [34]
bypassing[1] Omaha Omaha 26 $142,500 Michael Gorham Nathan J. Nelson, Gary T. Carlson and Shawn M. Sullivan [35]
bypassing[1] Speed King 25 $668,750 Ron Moquett Triton Thoroughbreds [11]
not nominated[2] Instant Replay 25 $217,000 Brad H. Cox Gary & Mary West [36]
bypassing[1] Sand Devil 25 $82,500 Linda L. Rice Chester Broman Sr. [23]
bypassing[1] Passion Rules 25 $75,000 Brad H. Cox Calumet Farm [24]
injured[1] Hill Road 24 $215,000 Adrian Murray Arno Racing [37]
bypassing[1] Gosger 20 $241,800 Brenden P. Walsh Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables [38]
injured[1] Disco Time 20 $150,000 Brad H. Cox Juddmonte Farms [32]
bypassing[1] California Burrito 20 $109,208 Tommy Drury Jr. Aaron & Victoria Haberman [39]
not nominated[2] Westwood 18.75 $30,000 John Shirreffs C R K Stable [28]
bypassing[1] Gaming 18 $608,000 Bob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman [37]
bypassing[1] Admiral Dennis 17 $96,188 Brad H. Cox Albaugh Family Stables [19]
injured[1] Jonathan's Way 15 $213,530 Philip Bauer Rigney Racing [4]
bypassing[1] Cornucopian 15 $81,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [40]
not nominated[2] McAfee 15 $42,000 Richard Dutrow Jr. Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Judy B. Hicks & Scott C. Rice [23]
bypassing[1] Garamond 15 $36,000 Chad C. Brown Juddmonte Farms [23]
bypassing[1] Patch Adams 14 $71,500 Brad H. Cox China Horse Club & WinStar Farm [41]
bypassing[1] Giocoso 13 $55,345 J. Keith Desormeaux Rocker O Ranch [4]
deceased[n] Ferocious 12 $244,500 Gustavo Delgado JR Ranch, Ramiro Restrepo, High Step Racing & OGMA Investments [16]
bypassing[1] Studlydoright 11 $272,275 John Robb David R. Hughes [33]
bypassing[1] Bracket Buster 11 $83,820 Victoria Oliver BBN Racing [8]
injured[1] First Resort 10 $296,776 Eoin G. Harty Godolphin [44]
bypassing[1] Caldera 10 $134,360 D. Wayne Lukas MyRacehorse [45]
bypassing[1] Baby Max 10 $114,776 Kelsey Danner J S Stables [39]
not nominated[2] Brereton's Baytown 10 $85,250 Paul McEntee Baytown Partnerships & Trawitzki Thoroughbreds [40]
bypassing[1] Cyclone State 10 $82,500 Chad Summers Gold Square, George Messina & Michael Lee [35]
injured[1] Surfside Moon 10 $71,000 James Lawrence II Manor Stable & Mair Lee Stables [30]
bypassing[1] Disruptor 10 $27,600 Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich & Mark Parkinson [46]
bypassing[1] Vassimo 10 $30,000 Todd A. Pletcher Team Penney Racing [12]
not nominated[2] My Mitole 10 $18,000 Carlos Martin Half Hollow Stable [23]
injured[1] Mo Quality 9 $63,750 Christopher Davis Walmac Farm [47]
bypassing[1] Mellencamp 8.75 $22,000 Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [6]
bypassing[1] Touchy 6 $145,000 Wesley A. Ward Three Chimneys Farm [45]
bypassing[1] Innovator 6 $103,658 D. Wayne Lukas BC Stables [32]
bypassing[1] Dapper Moon 6 $46,238 Dallas Stewart Valene Farms [16]
bypassing[1] Praetor 6 $30,000 Chad C. Brown William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing & Gainesway Stable [38]
injured[1] Burning Glory 6 $24,500 William I. Mott Juddmonte Farms [3]
bypassing[1] Gate To Wire 5 $148,950 Todd A. Pletcher Donegal Racing [21]
bypassing[1] Tip Top Thomas 5 $100,000 Todd A. Pletcher James J. Bakke & Gerald Isbister [29]
injured[1] Aviator Gui 5 $59,000 Chad C. Brown Three Chimneys Farm [33]
bypassing[1] Brodeur 5 $10,500 Mark E. Casse D. J. Stable [48]
bypassing[1] Take Charge Tom 4 $200,500 Robertino Diodoro Randy Howg [45]
not nominated[2] Banks 4 $159,753 Joe Sharp Tom Lambro [39]
bypassing[1] Clock Tower 4 $111,438 Wesley A. Ward Mrs. Fitriani Hay [7]
bypassing[1] Golden Afternoon 4 $73,875 Nicholas Vaccarezza Pat & Eddie Greco, Scott Jaffe, Michael P. Cloonan & Vaccarezza Racing [32]
bypassing[1] Hypnus 4 $60,750 Kenneth G. McPeek Brookdale Racing [38]
bypassing[1] Camp Hale 4 $10,000 Ian R. Wilkes Whitham Thoroughbreds [31]
bypassing[1] Smooth Cruisein 3.75 $18,000 Karen Headley Matson Racing, Sandra L. Brown, Elise & Marsha Naify [34]
injured[1] Kale's Angel 3 $355,265 Pete Miller Tom Kagele & Ernest Marchosky [47]
bypassing[1] Mo Plex 3 $238,750 Jeremiah C. Englehart R and H Stable [29]
not nominated[2][o] McKinzie Street 3 $112,000 Justin Evans Leslie A. & Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley [13]
bypassing[1] Filoso 3 $59,875 Chad Summers Gold Square [16]
not nominated[2] Dominant Spirit 3 $48,000 W. Bret Calhoun Martin Racing Stable, Bob Gorsky, Circustown Racing Stables, D and B Racing & Luke Brown [11]
not nominated[2] Mesero 3 $31,200 Dale L. Romans CJ Thoroughbreds & Delia Nash [4]
injured[1] Tux 3 $30,000 William I. Mott LNJ Foxwoods [33]
not nominated[2] Ican 3 $25,500 Richard Dutrow Jr. FMQ Stables [35]
bypassing[1] Smoken Wicked 2 $200,450 Dallas Stewart Valene Farms [29]
bypassing[1] Bullard 2 $95,700 Michael W. McCarthy By Talla Racing, St. Elias Stables, Three Chimneys Farm & West Point Thoroughbreds [38]
bypassing[1] He's Not Joking 2 $86,259 Josie Carroll Gianni Di Scola [3]
bypassing[1] Monet's Magic 2 $73,500 Ben Colebrook Midway Racing [41]
bypassing[1] Bon Temps 2 $39,625 D. Wayne Lukas Calumet Farm [47]
bypassing[1] Itsmybirthday 2 $23,640 Robertino Diodoro Arnold Bennewith, Clayton & Rick Wiest [45]
injured[1] Very Bold 2 $21,000 Eoin G. Harty Calumet Farm [31]
bypassing[p] Emerald Bay 2 $18,000 Bob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman [13]
not nominated[2] Dr Ruben M 2 $18,000 Doug F. O'Neill The Del Mar Group [11]
bypassing[1] Rank 2 $14,500 Doug F. O'Neill Calumet Farm [6]
bypassing[1] Uncle Jim 2 $10,000 Linda L. Rice Linda Rice [30]
not nominated[2] Valentines Candy 2 $4,000 Jesus Mendoza Dale Brewer [7]
not nominated[2] Jolly Samurai 1 $106,500 Danny Pish Jake Brown [11]
not nominated[2] Vekoma Rides 1 $20,000 John C. Kimmel Nedlaw Stable, Denholtz Stables, Dennis A. Drazin & Jerold L. Zaro [29]
not nominated[2] Keewaydin 1 $10,000 Chad C. Brown OXO Equine [33]
not nominated[2] Hot Property 1 $9,750 Brad H. Cox Gary & Mary West [47]
not nominated[2] Show of Force 1 $8,000 Todd W. Fincher Triple V Racing [13]
not nominated[2] Mansetti 1 $7,100 Kevin Attard Al & Bill Ulwelling [35]
not nominated[2] Chris's Revenge 1 $2,000 Brittany Russell Nice Guys Stables [19]


Legend:
  Qualified for the Derby
  Also eligible
  Scratched
  Injured/Bypassing/Inactive/Not nominated

Prep season

[edit]

Initial prep events

[edit]

Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=5 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point (except the Breeders' Cup Juvenile: 1st=30 points; 2nd=15 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 2023/2024. 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 mile $254,745 Churchill Downs Sep 14 2024 Jonathan's Way Owen Almighty Giocoso Mesero Sandman [4]
Champagne 1 mile $500,000 Aqueduct Oct 5 2024 Chancer McPatrick Tip Top Thomas Mo Plex Smoken Wicked Vekoma Rides [29]
American Pharoah 1+1⁄16 miles $301,000 Santa Anita Oct 5 2024 Citizen Bull Getaway Car McKinzie Street Emerald Bay Show of Force [13]
Breeders' Futurity 1+1⁄16 miles $594,063 Keeneland Oct 5 2024 East Avenue Ferocious Filoso Dapper Moon Mesero [16]
Street Sense 1+1⁄16 miles $197,500 Churchill Downs Oct 27 2024 Sovereignty Tiztastic Sandman Dapper Moon Bracket Buster [8]
Breeders' Cup Juvenile 1+1⁄16 miles $2,000,000 Del Mar Nov 1 2024 Citizen Bull Gaming Hill Road Getaway Car Ferocious [37]
Kentucky Jockey Club 1+1⁄16 miles $381,250 Churchill Downs Nov 30 2024 First Resort Jonathan's Way Tiztastic Dapper Moon Render Judgment [44]
Remsen 1+1⁄8 miles $250,000 Aqueduct Dec 7 2024 Poster Aviator Gui Tux Studlydoright Keewaydin [33]
Springboard Mile 1 mile $300,000 Remington Dec 13 2024 Coal Battle Speed King Dominant Spirit Dr Ruben M Jolly Samurai [11]
Los Alamitos Futurity 1+1⁄16 miles $200,000 Los Alamitos Dec 14 2024 Journalism Getaway Car Gaming Rank Mellencamp [6]
Gun Runner Stakes 1+1⁄16 miles $96,000 Fair Grounds Dec 21 2024 Built Magnitude Render Judgment Admiral Dennis Chris's Revenge [19]
Smarty Jones 1 mile $250,000 Oaklawn Jan 4 2025 Coal Battle Mo Quality Kale's Angel Bon Temps Hot Property [47]
Jerome 1 mile $150,000 Aqueduct Jan 4 2025 Cyclone State Omaha Omaha Ican Studlydoright Mansetti [35]

Select prep events

[edit]

Note: 1st=20 points; 2nd=10 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 $250,000 Fair Grounds Jan 18 2025 Disco Time Built Innovator Golden Afternoon Maximum Promise [32]
Southwest 1+1⁄16 miles $1,000,000 Oaklawn Jan 25 2025 Speed King Sandman Tiztastic Patch Adams Monet's Magic [41]
Holy Bull 1 mile $250,000 Gulfstream Feb 1 2025 Burnham Square Tappan Street Burning Glory Ferocious He’s Not Joking [3]
Robert B. Lewis 1 mile $200,000 Santa Anita Feb 1 2025 Citizen Bull Rodriguez Madaket Road Clock Tower Valentines Candy [7]
Withers[q] 1+1⁄8 miles $250,000 Aqueduct Feb 1 2025 Captain Cook Surfside Moon Omaha Omaha Mo Quality Uncle Jim [30]
Sam F. Davis Stakes[r] 1+1⁄16 miles $200,000 Tampa Bay Feb 8 2025 John Hancock Owen Almighty Poster Camp Hale Very Bold [31]
Sunland Park Derby[s] 1+1⁄16 miles $400,000 Sunland Park Feb 16 2025 Getaway Car Caldera Touchy Take Charge Tom Itsmybirthday [45]
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes 1+1⁄16 miles $173,000 Turfway Feb 22 2025 California Burrito Baby Max Maximum Promise Banks Studlydoright [39]

Championship series events

[edit]

First leg of series

[edit]

Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=25 points; 3rd=15 points; 4th=10 points; 5th=5 points
San Felipe Stakes[t]: 1st=37.5 points; 2nd=18.75 points; 3rd=11.25 points; 4th=7.5 points; 5th=3.75 points

Race Distance Purse Grade Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Risen Star 1+1⁄8 miles $500,000 2 Fair Grounds Feb 15 2025 Magnitude Chunk Of Gold Built Vassimo American Promise [12]
Rebel[u] 1+1⁄16 miles $1,250,000 2 Oaklawn Feb 23 2025 Coal Battle Madekat Road Sandman Publisher Tiztastic [17]
Gotham 1 mile $300,000 3 Aqueduct Mar 1 2025 Flood Zone Sand Devil Garamond My Mitole McAfee [23]
Fountain of Youth 1+1⁄16 miles $401,650 2 Gulfstream Mar 1 2025 Sovereignty River Thames Neoequoes Burnham Square Gate to Wire [21]
San Felipe 1+1⁄16 miles $300,000 2 Santa Anita Mar 1 2025 Journalism Barnes Rodriguez Mellencamp Smooth Cruisein [34]
Tampa Bay Derby 1+1⁄16 miles $350,000 3 Tampa Bay Mar 8 2025 Owen Almighty Chancer McPatrick Hill Road Patch Adams Brodeur [48]
Virginia Derby[v] 1+1⁄8 miles $527,500 Colonial Downs Mar 15 2025 American Promise Render Judgment Omaha Omaha Getaway Car Studlydoright [54]

Second leg of series

[edit]

These races are the major preps for the Kentucky Derby, and are thus weighted more heavily.
Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=50 points; 3rd=25 points; 4th=15 points; 5th=10 points
with the exception of the following events:
Santa Anita Derby[w]: 1st=75 points; 2nd=37.5 points; 3rd=18.75 points; 4th=11.25 points; 5th=7.5 points
Lexington Stakes; 1st=20 points; 2nd=10 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points

Race Distance Purse Grade Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Louisiana Derby 1+3⁄16 miles $1,000,000 2 Fair Grounds Mar 22 Tiztastic Chunk Of Gold Instant Replay John Hancock Built [36]
Jeff Ruby 1+1⁄8 miles $776,364 3 Turfway Mar 22 Final Gambit Flying Mohawk Maximum Promise Poster Giocoso [10]
Florida Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $1,020,000 1 Gulfstream Mar 29 Tappan Street Sovereignty Neoequos Madaket Street Disruptor [46]
Arkansas Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $1,500,000 1 Oaklawn Park Mar 29 Sandman Publisher Coal Battle Cornucopian Brereton’s Baytown [40]
Wood Memorial 1+1⁄8 miles $750,000 2 Aqueduct Apr 5 Rodriguez Grande Passion Rules Captain Cook McAfee [24]
Santa Anita Derby 1+1⁄8 miles $500,000 1 Santa Anita Apr 5 Journalism Baeza Westwood Citizen Bull Barnes [28]
Blue Grass Stakes 1+1⁄8 miles $1,250,000 1 Keeneland Apr 8[x] Burnham Square East Avenue River Thames Admiral Dennis Render Judgment [57]
Lexington 1+1⁄8 miles $400,000 3 Keeneland Apr 12 Gosger Bracket Buster Praetor Hypnus Bullard [38]

Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby

[edit]

The Euro/Mideast 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 neither 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 2024 when the horses are age two, plus two races run on a synthetic surface in early 2025 and the UAE Derby which has been moved to this rebranded Road to the Kentucky Derby for the first time.

Race Distance Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Beresford Stakes 1 mile The Curragh Sep 28 2024 Hotazhell Tennessee Stud Windlord Trinity College Lambourn [58]
Royal Lodge Stakes 1 mile Newmarket Sep 28 2024 Wimbledon Hawkeye Royal Playwright Angelo Buonarroti Puppet Master Luther [59]
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère 1,400 metres
(about 7 furlongs) 		Longchamp Oct 6 2024 Camille Pissarro Rashabar Misunderstood Field Of Gold Henri Matisse [60]
William Hill Futurity Trophy 1 mile Doncaster Oct 26 2024 Hotazhell Delacroix Wimbledon Hawkeye Seaplane Anno Domini [61]
European Road to the Kentucky Derby
Conditions Stakes 		1 mile Kempton Park Feb 26 2025 Opera Ballo Hott Shott Saddadd Quai De Bethune Molveno [62]
Patton Stakes 1 mile Dundalk Mar 7 2025 Titanium Emperor Spicy Margarita Mount Kilimanjaro Powerful Lady Glinka [63]
UAE Derby 1,900 metres
(about 1+3⁄16 miles) 		Meydan Apr 5 2025 Admire Daytona Heart of Honor Don In The Mood Shin Forever ƒ Queen Azteca [64]

Note:

  • the four races in 2024 for two-year-olds: 1st=10 points; 2nd=5 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point
  • the first two races in 2025: 1st=20 points; 2nd=10 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points
  • The UAE Derby: 1st=100 points; 2nd=50 points; 3rd=25 points; 4th=15 points; 5th=10 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 Admire Daytona[y] 100 $599,044 Yukihiro Kato Junko Kondo [64]
2 Heart of Honor[z] 50 $281,558 Jamie Osborne Jim & Claire Limited [64]
not nominated[2] Don in the Mood 25 $132,315 Teiichi Konno Koichi Yamada [64]
not nominated [2] Hotazhell 20 $298,904 Jessica Harrington Silverton Hill Partnership [58]
not nominated [2] Opera Ballo 20 $0 Charlie Appleby Godolphin [62]
not nominated [2] Titanium Emperor 20 $0 Adrian Murray AMO Racing [63]
3 Shin Forever 15 $421,980 Hideyuki Mori Susumu Fujita [64]
not nominated [2] Wimbledon Hawkeye 13 $181,305 James Owen The Gredley Family [59]
not nominated [2] Camille Pissarro 10 $275,403 Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Peter M. Brant [60]
not nominated [2] ƒ Queen Azteca 10 $160,684 Niels Petersen Glaesner Racing APS [64]
not nominated [2] Hott Shott 10 $2,240 Richard Hughes P. Cook, P. Merritt & T. Verrier [62]
not nominated [2] Spicy Margarita 10 $0 Adrian Murray AMO Racing Limited & Giselle De Aguiar [63]

Legend:
ƒ Filly
  qualified
  did not qualify

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby

[edit]

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 five finishers.

Race Distance Track Date 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ref
Cattleya Stakes 1,600 metres
(~1 mile) 		Tokyo Racecourse Nov 23 Natural Rise Clay King T O Elvis Snappy Dresser Kanreiski [65]
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun 1,600 metres
(~1 mile) 		Kawasaki Racecourse Dec 11 ƒ Myriad Love Happy Man Soldier Field Natural Rise Jugemoon [66]
Hyacinth 1,600 metres
(~1 mile) 		Tokyo Racecourse Feb 23 Luxor Cafe ƒ Promised Gene Don in the Mood Admire Daytona Dragon [67]
Fukuryu 1,800 metres
(~1+1⁄8 miles) 		Nakayama Racecourse Mar 29 Luxor Cafe Meisho Zuiun Golden Cloud Levant Univers Slazak [68]

Note:

ƒ Filly
Cattleya Sho: 1st=10 points; 2nd=5 points; 3rd=3 points; 4th=2 points; 5th=1 point
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun: 1st=20 points; 2nd=10 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=4 points; 5th=2 points
Hyacinth: 1st=30 points; 2nd=15 points; 3rd=9 points; 4th=6 points; 5th=3 points
Fukuyru: 1st=40 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=12 points; 4th=8 points; 5th=4 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 Trainer Owner Eligible
Earnings 		Ref
1 Luxor Cafe 70 Noriyuki Hori Koichi Nishikawa $257,209 [67]
not nominated[2] ƒ Myriad Love 20 Koichi Shintani Shiraishi Asuka $453,714 [66]
not nominated[2] Meisho Zuiun 20 Masaru Honda Yoshio Matsumoto $125,428 [68]
2 ƒ Promised Gene 15 Yuki Uehara Silk Racing $168,306 [68]
3 Natural Rise 14 Keizo Ito Hiroyuki Yoshioka $177,999 [65]
4 Golden Cloud 12 Shinya Kobayashi Silk Racing $80,906 [68]
5 Happy Man 10 Ryo Terashima Shigehisa Tanabe $345,430 [66]
not nominated[2] Don in the Mood 9 Teiichi Konno Koichi Yamada $128,028 [67]

Legend:
ƒ Filly
  qualified
  did not qualify

Notes

[edit]
  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. ^ On March 31, 2025 Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor were added to the ownership list as lessees.[5]
  4. ^ Tappan Street Out of KY Derby With Condylar Fracture[9]
  5. ^ Originally, connections of Owen Almight indicated that the horse would bypass the Kentucky Derby.[14] However, after considerations that horse recovered well from the Blue Grass Stakes and would enter the Kentucky Derby.[15]
  6. ^ Connections of River Thames have indicated that the horse need to recover more from his run in the Blue Grass Stakes and will bypass the Kentucky Derby and will point to the Preakness[20]
  7. ^ After the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Pantofel Stable & Wachtel Stable were added to the ownership list[21][20]
  8. ^ Connections of Flood Zone have indicated that the horse will bypass the Kentucky Derby after his poor performance in the UAE Derby[22]
  9. ^ Trainer Bob Baffert of Madaket Road removed him for consideration to the Kentucky Derby and has entered him in the Pat Day Mile Stakes on the same day[25]
  10. ^ Connections of Built decided to bypass the Kentucky Derby and has entered him in the Pat Day Mile Stakes on the same day[26]
  11. ^ European/Middle East qualifier
  12. ^ Connections of Heart of Honor have indicated that the horse will bypass the Kentucky Derby and will prepare him for the Preakness Stakes and possibly the Belmont Stakes[27]
  13. ^ European/Middle East qualifier
  14. ^ Ferocious was injured after running in the Holy Bull Stakes.[42] However, he was not able to recover and succumbed to laminitis.[43]
  15. ^ Originally, McKinzie Street was trained by Tim Yakteen, but was moved to Justin Evans in early 2025[49]
  16. ^ Emerald Bay is ahead of Dr Ruben M in the standings due to higher stakes earned from non-restricted stakes[1]
  17. ^ The Withers Stakes was downgraded from Grade III to Listed status in 2025[50]
  18. ^ The Sam F. Davis Stakes was downgraded from Grade III to Listed status in 2025[50]
  19. ^ The Sunland Park Derby was downgraded from Grade III to Listed status in 2025[50]
  20. ^ Since only 5 horses started in the San Felipe Stakes the qualification points offered is three-quarters[51]
  21. ^ Originally, the Rebel Stakes was scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, but was rescheduled to the following day due to the impending cold weather that was forecasted[52]
  22. ^ The inaugural running of the Virginia Derby as an ungraded Road to the Kentucky Derby event.[53]
  23. ^ Since only 5 horses entered in the Santa Anita Derby the qualification points offered are three-quarters[55]
  24. ^ Due to the impending extreme weather conditions Keeneland moved the original scheduled racecard from April 5, 2025 to April 8, 2025[56]
  25. ^ On March 31, 2025 connections of Admire Daytona paid the late nomination fee of $6,000 thus being eligible to start in the event
  26. ^ On March 31, 2025 connections of Heart of Honor paid the late nomination fee of $6,000 thus being eligible to start in the event

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp "Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard" (PDF). www.kentuckyderby.com. April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "2025 Triple Crown Nominations". TheTripleCrown.com. BloodHorse. February 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "2025 Holy Bull Stakes Grade 3 – (race 11)". Equibase. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". equibase. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  5. ^ Mitchell, Eric (March 31, 2025). "Journalism to Ashford Stud Upon Retirement Coolmore announced March 31 the stallion deal for the son of Curlin". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "2024 Los Alamitos Futurity Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e "2025 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Grade 3 – (race 4)" (PDF). Equibase. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "2024 Street Sense Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  9. ^ Angst, Frank; Hall, Gregory A.; King, Byron (26 April 2025). "Tappan Street Out of KY Derby With Condylar Fracture; His injury opens a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) for longshot Render Judgment". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks Grade 3 – (race 12)". Equibase. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "2024 Springboard Mile Stakes Listed – (race 12)". Equibase. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "2025 Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes Grade 2 – (race 14)". Equibase. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "2024 American Pharoah Stakes Presented by DK Horse Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  14. ^ Hackbarth, Chelsea (10 April 2025). "Owen Almighty Out, Flying Mohawk Draws In To Kentucky Derby Field Owen Almighty will target the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  15. ^ Collins, Sean (16 April 2025). "One More Shot: Owen Almighty Back in Derby Field; The son of Speightstown was recently sixth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d e "2024 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "2025 Rebel Stakes Grade 2 – (race 11)". Equibase. 23 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  18. ^ Collins, Sean (18 February 2025). "Ankle Chip Knocks Magnitude Off Derby Trail; The colt will undergo surgery with Dr. Larry Bramlage Feb. 19". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e "2024 Gun Runner Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  20. ^ a b Hackbarth, Chelsea (15 April 2025). "River Thames Needs 'Extra Time,' To Skip Kentucky Derby; The defection opens a spot for Built to make the top 20 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d "2025 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes Grade 2 – (race 13)". Equibase. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  22. ^ Paulick Report Staff (11 April 2025). "Report: Flood Zone Won't Run In Kentucky Derby After Seventh-Place Finish In Dubai; Decision to seek one-turn race for Frosted colt's next start gives Madaket Road an opportunity to make the field for May 3 Kentucky Derby". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "2025 Gotham Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  24. ^ a b c "2025 ood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  25. ^ Hackbarth, Chelsea (18 April 2025). "Madaket Road Out Of Kentucky Derby In Favor Of Pat Day Mile; The Bob Baffert trainee may find the shorter distance of a mile more to his liking". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  26. ^ Collins, Sean (25 April 2025). "Built to Skip Kentucky Derby in Favor of Pat Day Mile; Neoequos moves into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby (G1) field". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  27. ^ Hackbarth, Chelsea (11 April 2025). "Grande Draws Into Kentucky Derby Field; UAE Derby Runner-Up Heart Of Honor To Preakness; The Mike Repole-owned colt ran second in the G2 Wood Memorial to earn his spot in the Run for the Roses". Blenheim Publishing. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  28. ^ a b c "2025 Santa Anita Derby Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  29. ^ a b c d e f "Champagne Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". equibase. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  30. ^ a b c d "2025 Withers Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  31. ^ a b c d "2025 Sam F. Davis Stakes Listed – (race 11)". Equibase. 8 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  32. ^ a b c d e "2025 Lecomte Stakes Grade 3 – (race 12)". Equibase. 18 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "2024 Remsen Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  34. ^ a b c "2025 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  35. ^ a b c d e "2025 Jerome Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  36. ^ a b "2025 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  37. ^ a b c "2024 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e "2024 Stonestreert Lexington Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 12 April 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  39. ^ a b c d "2025 John Battaglia Memorial Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  40. ^ a b c "2025 Arkansas Derby Grade 1 – (race 13)". Equibase. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  41. ^ a b c "2025 Southwest Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  42. ^ Rollins, Molly (28 February 2025). "Ferocious Off Kentucky Derby Trail". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  43. ^ Perez, Joe (7 April 2025). "Grade-1 Placed Ferocious Dies Due to Laminitis; Ramiro Restrepo said he and his partners have lost their "flag bearer."". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  44. ^ a b "2024 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Grade 2 – (race 11)". Equibase. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e "2025 Sunland Park Derby Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  46. ^ a b "2025 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa Grade 1 – (race 14)". Equibase. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  47. ^ a b c d e "2025 Smarty Jones Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  48. ^ a b "2025 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Grade 3 – (race 11)". Equibase. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  49. ^ Collins, Sean (11 February 2025). "Baffert Sends Getaway Car to Sunland Park Derby Baffert also trains debut winner Maysam, favorite in the Sunland Park Oaks". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 12 February 2025. Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. and Roger Beasley's McKinzie Street has also had his fair share of run-ins with the top Baffert runners. Twice grade 1-placed, including in his lone start around two turns, the son of McKinzie previously trained by Tim Yakteen makes his barn debut for Justin Evans Saturday.
  50. ^ a b c "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  51. ^ King, Byron (March 1, 2025). "Journalism Makes Front Page News in San Felipe; The son of Curlin sped 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.24". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  52. ^ Collins, Sean (18 February 2025). "Rebel Stakes Moved to Feb. 23 Due to Winter Weather Each of Oaklawn's Feb. 21-23 race days have been moved back one day". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  53. ^ "Colonial Downs Rules and Conditions for Racing and Training ("Conditions")" (pdf). equibase. Colonial Downs. 2025. p. 29. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  54. ^ "2025 Virginia Derby Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  55. ^ "Journalism, Citizen Bull Meet For First Time In Five-Horse Santa Anita Derby". paulickreport.com. Blenheim Publishing. March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  56. ^ King, Byron (2 April 2025). "First Two Scheduled Days of Racing The April 4 card moves to April 7, and the April 5 program to April 8". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  57. ^ "2025 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  58. ^ a b "Montane Developments Beresford Stakes (Group 2)". racingpost.com. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  59. ^ a b "Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2)". racingpost.com. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1)". 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  61. ^ "William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings)". 26 October 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  62. ^ a b c ""European Road To The Kentucky Derby" Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)". 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  63. ^ a b c "William Hill Top Price Guarantee Patton Race". 7 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  64. ^ a b c d e f "UAE Derby Sponsored By Jumeirah (Group 2) (Dirt)". 5 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  65. ^ a b "CATTLEYA STAKES - 23/11/2024 Tokyo9R|Result". Umanity!. 2024-11-23. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  66. ^ a b c "ZENNIPPON NISAI YUSHUN". jbis.jp. Japan's Largest Horse Racing Information Database - JBIS Search. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  67. ^ a b c "HYACINTH STAKES - 23/2/2025 Tokyo9R (Result)". Umanity!. 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  68. ^ a b c d "FUKURYU STAKES - 29/3/2025 Nakayama10R|Result". Umanity!. 2025-03-29. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
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