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Last updated: Nov. 28th, 2022
2023 Kentucky Derby Contenders
As horses enter the Derby trail, they get one shot to run in the Kentucky Derby in their lifetime.
Discover how horses earn the chance to run in the Kentucky Derby with information below; Information such as contender lists, race entries and point accumulation.
- 2022-23 U.S. Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2022-23 Europe Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2022-23 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2022 Kentucky Derby contender pedigree profiles
- Quick runner facts and answers
- Full explanation on how horses earn points
- 2021 Kentucky Derby contenders
- 2022 Kentucky Derby contenders
2022-2023 Kentucky Derby Contender Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders who are hopeful to start the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the Road to the Kentucky Derby trail and non-restricted stakes earnings.
| Points | Horse | Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings | RTKO Races Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Forte | $1,545,650 | Breeders' Futurity, Breeders' Cup Juvenile |
| 17 | Curly Jack | $348,120 | Iroquois Stakes |
| 16 | Blazing Sevens | $411,000 | Champagne Stakes |
| 12 | Instant Coffee | $265,065 | Kentucky Jockey Club |
| 5 | Hayes Strike | $91,750 | |
| 5 | Red Route One | $78,375 | |
| 4 | Loggins | $106,500 | |
| 4 | Verifying | $100,000 | |
| 4 | Honed | $58,200 | |
| 3 | Gulfport | $267,070 | |
| 3 | Jace's Road | $29,100 | |
| 2 | Andiamo a Firenze | $51,000 | |
| 1 | Man Child | $30,000 | |
| 1 | Champions Dream | $20,000 | |
| 1 | Denington | $11,610 | |
| 1 | Confidence Game | $8,730 |
*Horse trained by an individual suspended from the 2022 Kentucky Derby does not receive any qualification points. Cave Rock, National Treasure, Hejazi, Gandolfini and Newgate are trained by Bob Baffert who is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. through 2023.
2022-2023 European Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders from the Euro series who are hopeful to start the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the European Road to the Kentucky Derby trail and non-restricted stakes earnings.
| Points | Horse | RTKO Races Won |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Belbek | Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère |
| 10 | Auguste Rodin | Vertem Futurity Trophy |
| 10 | The Foxes | Royal Lodge Stakes |
| 10 | Crypto Force | Beresford Stakes |
| 4 | Gamestop | |
| 4 | Epictetus | |
| 4 | Adelaide River | |
| 4 | Dubai Mile | |
| 3 | Holloway Boy | |
| 3 | Breizh Sky | |
| 3 | Flying Honours | |
| 3 | Young Ireland | |
| 2 | Shartash | |
| 2 | Dancing Magic | |
| 2 | Greenland | |
| 2 | Roaring Gallagher | |
| 1 | Vicious Harry | |
| 1 | Lakota Seven | |
| 1 | Salt Lake City |
2022-2023 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders from the Japan series who are hopeful to start the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby trail and non-restricted stakes earnings.
| Points | Horse | RTKD Races Won |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Continuar | Cattleya Stakes |
| 4 | Mirror of Mind | |
| 3 | Jasri | |
| 2 | Plavi | |
| 1 | Francorchamps |
Quick Kentucky Derby Contender Answers
- Q: How many total horses can run in the Kentucky Derby?
- A: 20 horses can be placed inside the Churchill Downs starting gate, which means 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby. There are typically two Also Eligible ‘AE’ horses who can find a chance to compete, if one of the original 20 horses scratches and cannot run in the race.
- Q: How do horses get to run in the Kentucky Derby?
- A: 18 entries are initially reserved for the top Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race point earners. These prep races are per-determined and if a horse is tied in points, then a specific type of purse earnings are used to assist.
- A: 2 entries in the Kentucky Derby are ‘reserved’ for runners from the European Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby Hopeful Point Accumulation Process
One of the fascinating things about the build-up to the Kentucky Derby is watching the development of young Thoroughbreds. Still babyish as two-year-olds, the Derby hopefuls begin to grow up as three-year-olds — a process often compared to junior high kids morphing into high school athletes.
Fans can track the horses’ progress during the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” traditionally a series of 35 races that take place from the fall of their two-year-old campaign through the spring of their three-year-old year, culminating in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Horses earn their way into the Derby by scoring points in these races (the full schedule, along with the sliding scale of points available for a top-five finish in each race, is available here).
Just as major sports teams advance through playoffs, meeting stiffer competition as they get closer to the championship event, so do Derby aspirants aim to climb through each successive prep race. They might not have to win, but they do have to perform well enough — and stay healthy — to remain on the trail.
Because the competition gets tougher as the trail unfolds, the Derby points system awards the most points for the marquee preps in late March or April. The winners of the Florida Derby, Louisiana Derby, UAE Derby (in Dubai), Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby each bank 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby, clinching a spot in the field.
So hop onto the Derby trail — you might find a hot prospect!