
Twenty-one Enter Kentucky Derby
An overflow field of 21 passed the entry box the morning of May 2 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Based on graded stakes earnings, only 20 can start May 5.
An overflow field of 21 passed the entry box the morning of May 2 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Based on graded stakes earnings, only 20 can start May 5.
Chart of contenders for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), ranked by earnings in graded stakes that are used to determine 20-horse starting field.
After Saturday's graded stakes, Rousing Sermon is number 20 on the Kentucky Derby graded stakes earnings list with $270,000. He's ahead of Mark Valeski, El Padrino, Reveron and a host of others.
Thoroughbred racing pretty much ignores any prior achievements at its marquee events.
In light of the defections of Rule and Eskendereya from the contenders list and the confirmation Devil May Care will be entered, here is the list of Derby hopefuls based on graded stakes earnings as of mid-morning April 26.
With the declaration of likely favorite Eskendereya from the Kentucky Derby, here is an updated listing of contenders by graded stakes earnings.
With three major Triple Crown prep races run over the March 3-4 weekend, the respective winners were elevated in the rankings of TC nominees based on earnings in graded stakes races.
With no graded races for 3-year-olds over the Feb. 24-25 weekend, champion filly Dreaming of Anna remained at the top of the list in graded stakes earnings among horses nominated to the Triple Crown during the early nomination period.
The Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is restricted to 20 starters. If more than 20 horses are entered, total earnings in graded stakes determine the priority of starters. Link to an updated list of contenders by graded earnings, complete through racing of April 9.
Victory by Cash is King Stable's Afleet Alex in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) pushed the Northern Afleet colt to the top of the list of Kentucky Derby contenders by graded stakes earnings.
With less than four weeks until the May 7 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Godolphin Racing's Blues and Royals, winner of the UAE Derby (UAE-II) on the Dubai World Cup card, is still on top of the list of Derby contenders by graded stakes earnings.
Previous to Saturday's Arkansas Derby (gr. II), Smarty Jones had the distinction of being the best horse who might not get to participate in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Smarty Jones' $600,000 winners' purse in the Arkansas Derby moved him to fourth on the list of graded earnings for Derby contenders, meaning his chances of starting are all but assured.
Leading contenders for this year's Kentucky Derby, ranked by graded stakes earnings; the final field of 20 will be determined on the basis of earnings in graded stakes races.