Following victories in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Illinois Derby (gr. II), Eskendereya and American Lion are now safety positioned on the Top 20 by graded stakes earnings list that determines the prospective field for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), according to Churchill Downs.
The $2 million Kentucky Derby has been restricted to 20 starters since 1975. Graded stakes earnings accumulated in major races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” have determined the field for the 1 1/4-mile classic since 1986.
Eskendereya ($600,000) entered the April 3 Wood Memorial at No. 24 on the list of horses who were still vying for a Derby berth and exited the Aqueduct winner’s circle at No. 5, thanks to the $450,000 first prize. American Lion ($378,000) was No. 31 but jumped to No. 10 following his Illinois Derby victory worth $291,000. Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy ($630,000) was already in the Top 20 in a tie for 17th, but the $450,000 first prize vaulted him to No. 4.
Jackson Bend ($230,000) needed to finish second in the Wood to possibly crack the Derby field and he held off Awesome Act ($285,000) by a neck for the place, while earning $150,000 to move to No. 17. Awesome Act, who received $75,000 for third, jumped into a safe No. 13 spot.
Below is the Top 20 through April 3, which is based on known intentions or a consideration to run in the Kentucky Derby:
No., Horse, Earnings, (next start if not the Ky. Derby)
1, Lookin At Lucky, $1,480,000
2, Noble’s Promise, $708,000 (Arkansas Derby)
3, Rule, $645,000
4, Sidney’s Candy, $630,000
5, Eskendereya, $600,000
6, Mission Impazible, $473,434
7, Ice Box, $457,500
8, Endorsement, $400,000
9, Conveyance, $386,000
10, American Lion, $378,000
11, Discreetly Mine, $340,000
12, Dean’s Kitten, $326,475
13, Awesome Act, $285,000
14, Dublin, $273,208 (Arkansas Derby)
15, Interactif, $270,450 (Toyota Blue Grass)
16, Homeboykris, $250,500
17, Jackson Bend, $230,000
18, Backtalk, $225,916
19, Aikenite, $218,000 (Toyota Blue Grass)
20, Make Music for Me, $215,000 (Toyota Blue Grass)
Those on the outside looking in as of April 5:
21, Uh Oh Bango, $187,952 (Arkansas Derby)
22, A Little Warm, $180,000
23, Odysseus, $180,000 (Toyota Blue Grass)
24, Setsuko, $180,000
25, Super Saver, $163,832 (Arkansas Derby)
26, Pleasant Prince, $162,500 (Toyota Blue Grass)
27, Tempted to Tapit, $156,000
28, Caracortado, $153,000 (Kentucky Derby or Preakness)
29, Yawanna Twist, $147,000
30, Connemara, $138,500 (Coolmore Lexington)
31, Schoolyard Dreams, $137,500
32, Northern Giant, $127,000 (Arkansas Derby)
33, Eightyfiveinafifty, $120,000 (The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial or Withers)
34, Paddy O’Prado, $100,950 (Toyota Blue Grass)
35, Alphie’s Bet, $90,000
36, Drosselmeyer, $87,000 (Toyota Blue Grass or Coolmore Lexington)
37, Pulsion, $80,000 (Arkansas Derby)
38, The Program, $75,500
39, Ron the Greek, $70,500
40, Nacho Friend, $64,500