2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby


The 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2017 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 6. 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.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby gives points to the top four finishers in specified races. The 2017 season consisted of 35 races, 19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. Earnings in non-restricted stakes acted as a tie breaker. The races for the 2017 series were mostly the same as in the 2016 series, except that the Sam F. Davis stakes replaced the Iroquois Stakes.
On September 12, 2016, Churchill Downs announced the introduction of a separate Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, which consisted of two races: the Cattleya Sho on November 26, 2016 and the Hyacinth on February 19, 2017. The winner of this series was offered one of the 20 positions available in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. However, the offer was declined by the connections of the winner, Epicharis, and those of the two runners-up. Therefore, all 20 positions and the 'also eligibles' were determined through the regular Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Standings

The following table shows the points earned in the eligible races. Entries for the Kentucky Derby were taken on May 3. The race was won by Always Dreaming.
RankHorsePointsEarningsTrainerOwnerRef
1Girvin150$849,800Joe SharpBrad Grady
2Classic Empire132$2,093,820Mark CasseJohn C. Oxley
3Gormley125$884,000John ShirreffsJerry and Ann Moss
4Irap113$760,000Doug O'NeillReddam Racing
5Irish War Cry110$676,660H. Graham MotionIsabelle de Tomaso
6Thunder Snow 100$1,621,063Saeed bin SuroorGodolphin Racing
7Always Dreaming100$589,000Todd PletcherBrooklyn Boyz Stables, MeB Racing, St Elias Stables et al.
8Gunnevera84$1,137,800Antonio SanoPeacock Racing
9Practical Joke74$966,000Chad BrownKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence
10J Boys Echo63$305,000Dale RomansAlbaugh Family Stables
11State of Honor62$310,564Mark CasseConrad Farms
injuredMastery60$480,000Bob BaffertCheyenne Stables
not nominatedConquest Mo Money60$370,000Miguel HernandezJudge Lanier Racing
12Tapwrit54$325,570Todd PletcherBridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred & Robert LaPenta
bypassMalagacy50$570,000Todd PletcherSumaya U.S. Stable
13Hence50$401,129Steve AsmussenCalumet Farm
14Fast and Accurate50$320,712Michael MakerKendall Hansen
declinedEpicharis 40$851,195Kiyoshi HagiwaraU Carrot Farm
15McCraken40$385,048Ian WilkesWhitham Thoroughbreds
16Battle of Midway40$224,000Jerry HollendorferFox Hill Farms
17Patch40$200,000Todd PletcherCalumet Farm
bypassBattalion Runner40$140,000Todd PletcherSt. Elias Stable
bypassCloud Computing40$115,000Chad BrownKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence
18Untrapped34$210,000Steve AsmussenMichael Langford
19Lookin At Lee32$428,600Steve AsmussenL and N Racing
injuredEl Areeb30$330,000Cathal LynchM M G Stables
20Sonneteer30$236,000J. Keith DesormeauxCalumet Farm
21Royal Mo30$213,000John ShirreffsJerry & Ann Moss
-Local Hero30$140,000Steven M. Asmussene Five Racing Thoroughbreds
-Iliad20$220,000Doug O'NeillKaleem Shah
22Master Plan20$214,700Todd PletcherAl Shaqab Racing, Winstar Farm & China Horse Club
-Blueridge Traveler20$95,000Kenneth McPeekHorizon Stables
injuredNot This Time18$430,210Dale RomansAlbaugh Family
-Wild Shot17$132,200George ArnoldCalumet Farm
-True Timber16$124,000Kiaran McLaughlinCalumet Farm
-Guest Suite15$144,040Neil HowardFarish and Kilroy
-Petrov13$195,000Ron MoquettRialto Racing & Southern Springs Stables
-No Dozing12$126,500Arnaud DelacourLael Stables
-Term of Art11$119,000Doug O'NeillCalumet Farm
-Uncontested11$99,300Wayne CatalanoLapenta & Rosenblum
-Lancaster Bomber10$417,430Aidan O'BrienTabor, Smith & Magnier
One Liner10$300,000Todd PletcherWinStar Farm, China Horse Club & SF Racing
-Mo Town10$188,000Anthony W. DutrowMagnier, Tabor, Smith, Team D
-Senior Investment10$130,000Kenneth McPeekFern Circle Stables
-Zakaroff10$120,000Steven SpechtAntone Metaxas
-Three Rules10$142,240Jose PinchinShade Tree Thoroughbreds
euthanizedReach the World10$50,000Bob BaffertDon Alberto Stable
-Convict Pike10$47,500George R. ArnoldAshbrook Farm
-Hollywood Handsome10$40,000Dallas StewartMark H. Stanley
-Talk Logistics6$60,100Edward Plesa Jr.Hardway Stables
Bonus Points5$52,500Todd PletcherThree Diamonds Farm
-Action Everyday5$15,000St. Elias StableTodd Pletcher
bypassKlimt4$380,000Bob BaffertKaleem Shah
-Hot Sean4$180,000Bob BaffertWatson, Pegram & Weilman
-Dangerfield4$171,500Doug O'NeillWC Racing & Zayat Stables
-Syndergaard4$160,000Todd PletcherFein, McKenna, et al.
-More Power to Him4$40,000Faith TaylorBrett Mason
-American Anthem4$23,000Bob BaffertWinStar Farm, S F Bloodstock & China Horse Club
-Warrior's Club3$27,528Wayne CatalanoChurchill Downs Racing Club
-Straight Fire2$96,000J. Keith DesormeauxJungle Racing et al.
-Recruiting Ready2$52,025Horacio DePazSagamore Farm
-Favorable Outcome2$50,345Chad BrownKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence
-Rowdy the Warrior2$34,429Donnie Von HemelRobert Zoellner
-Takaful2$31,500Kiaran McLaughlinShadwell Stable
-Tribal Storm2$24,000Ed Moger Jr.Curt and Lila Lanning
-Win With Pride2$22,500Todd PletcherRepole & St Elias Stables
-Takeoff2$20,000Mark CasseJohn Oxley
-Sheer Flattery2$18,000Jerry HollendorferBarrow, Robertson & Hollendorfer
-Big Hit2$12,000Philip D'AmatoGary & Mary West
-Midnight Pleasure1$54,000Shelbe RuisRuis Racing
Silver Dust1$54,857Randy L. MorseTom Durant
-Big Gray Rocket1$25,000Bob BaffertFrank Fletcher Racing
-Ann Arbor Eddie1$32,000Doug O'NeillReddam Racing
-Bobby Abu Dhabi1$18,000Peter MilerRockingham Ranch
-Arklow1$8,000Brad CoxDonegal Racing

Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point
RaceDistancePurseTrackDate1st2nd3rd4thRef
Iroquois1-1/16 miles$150,000Churchill DownsSep 17 2016Not This TimeLookin At LeeRecruiting ReadyHonor Thy Father
FrontRunner1-1/16 miles$300,000Santa AnitaOct 1 2016GormleyKlimtStraight FireMidnight Pleasure
Champagne1-mile$300,000BelmontOct 8 2016Practical JokeSyndergaardFavorable OutcomeBig Gray Rocket
Breeders' Futurity1-1/16 miles$400,000KeenelandOct 8 2016Classic EmpireLookin at LeeWild ShotNo Dozing
Breeders' Cup Juvenile1-1/16 miles$2,000,000Santa AnitaNov 5 2016Classic EmpireNot This TimePractical JokeLookin at Lee
Delta Downs Jackpot1-1/16 miles$1,000,000Delta DownsNov 19 2016GunneveraHot SeanDangerfieldJ Boys Echo
Remsen1-1/8 miles$300,000AqueductNov 26 2016Mo TownNo DozingTakafulWin With Pride
Kentucky Jockey Club1-1/16 miles$150,000Churchill DownsNov 26 2016McCrakenWild ShotWarrior's ClubUncontested
Los Alamitos Futurity1-1/16 miles$500,000Los AlamitosDec 10 2016MasteryIrapDangerfieldBobby Abu Dhai
Jerome1-mile 70 yards$200,000AqueductJan 2 2017El AreebBonus PointsTrue TimberWin With Pride
Sham1-mile$100,000Santa AnitaJan 7 2017GormleyAmerican AnthemBig HitBird Is The Word
Smarty Jones1-mile$150,000OaklawnJan 16 2017UncontestedPetrovRowdy the WarriorWarrior's Club
Lecomte1-mile 70 yards$200,000Fair GroundsJan 21 2017Guest SuiteUntrappedTakeoffArklow
Holy Bull1-1/16 miles$350,000GulfstreamFeb 4 2017Irish War CryGunneveraClassic EmpireTalk Logistics
Withers1-1/16 miles$200,000AqueductFeb 4 2017El AreebTrue TimberJ Boys EchoBonus Points
Robert B. Lewis1-1/16 miles$150,000Santa AnitaFeb 4 2017Royal MoIrapSheer FlatteryTerm of Art
Sam F. Davis Stakes1-1/16 miles$150,000Tampa BayFeb 11 2017McCrakenTapwritState of HonorWild Shot
El Camino Real Derby1-1/8 miles$200,000Golden GateFeb 18 2017ZakaroffMore Power to HimTribal StormAnn Arbor Eddie
Southwest1-1/16 miles$500,000OaklawnFeb 20 2017One LinerPetrovLookin At LeeSilver Dust

Championship series

First leg of series

Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points
RaceDistancePurseTrackDate1st2nd3rd4thRef
Risen Star1-1/16 miles$400,000Fair GroundsFeb 25 2017GirvinUntrappedLocal HeroGuest Suite
Fountain of Youth1-1/16 miles$400,000GulfstreamMar 4 2017GunneveraPractical JokeThree RulesTalk Logistics
Gotham1-1/16 miles$500,000AqueductMar 4 2017J Boys EchoCloud ComputingEl AreebAction Everyday
Tampa Bay Derby1-1/16 miles$350,000Tampa BayMar 11 2017TapwritState of HonorWild ShotNo Dozing
San Felipe1-1/16 miles$300,000Santa AnitaMar 11 2017MasteryIliadTerm of ArtGormley
Rebel1-1/16 miles$900,000OaklawnMar 18 2017MalagacySonneteerUntrappedPetrov
Spiral1-1/8 miles$500,000TurfwayMar 25 2017Fast and AccurateBlueridge TravelerConvict PikeKitten's Cat
Sunland Derby1-1/8 miles$800,000Sunland ParkMar 26 2017HenceConquest Mo MoneyHedge FundIrap

Second leg of series

These races are the major preps for the Kentucky Derby, and are thus weighted more heavily. Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=20 points; 4th=10 points
RaceDistancePurseTrackDate1st2nd3rd4thRef
UAE Derby1,900 metres
~1-3/16 miles
$2,000,000MeydanMar 25 2017Thunder Snow Epicharis Master PlanLancaster Bomber
Louisiana Derby1-1/8 miles$1,000,000Fair GroundsApr 1 2017GirvinPatchLocal HeroHollywood Handsome
Florida Derby1-1/8 miles$1,000,000GulfstreamApr 1 2017Always DreamingState of HonorGunneveraImpressive Edge
Wood Memorial1-1/8 miles$750,000AqueductApr 8 2017Irish War CryBattalion RunnerCloud ComputingTrue Timber
Blue Grass Stakes1-1/8 miles$1,000,000KeenelandApr 8 2017IrapPractical JokeMcCrakenJ Boys Echo
Santa Anita Derby1-1/8 miles$1,000,000Santa AnitaApr 8 2017GormleyBattle of MidwayRoyal MoReach the World
Arkansas Derby1-1/8 miles$1,000,000Oaklawn ParkApr 15 2017Classic EmpireConquest Mo MoneyLookin At LeeSonneteer

;"Wild Card"
Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point
RaceDistancePurseTrackDate1st2nd3rd4thRef
Lexington1-1/8 miles$200,000KeenelandApr 15 2017Senior InvestmentWest CoastNo DozingTime to Travel

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby

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 if necessary to the third-place finisher. If neither of the top three accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the 20th-place finisher on the regular road to the Derby. For 2017, the top three-finishers in the Japan Road declined the offer.
RankHorsePointsTrainerOwnerRef
1Epicharis50Kiyoshi HagiwaraU Carrot Farm
2Mont Saint Legame40Koji MakiShinichi Yamashita
3Adirato20Naosuke SugaiKoji Yasuhara
4Caucus16Hideaki FujiwaraSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
5Hypernova10Hiroyuki OnedaJunzo Miyakawa
6Blanc Eclat8Ryo TakeiKT Racing
7Foggy Night5Noriyuki HoriKaneko Makoto Holdings
8Lavapies4Ryuki OkuboSilk Racing

RaceDistanceTrackDate1st2nd3rd4thRef
Cattleya Sho1,600 m Tokyo RacecourseNov 26 2016Mont Saint LegameCaucusBlanc EclatLavapies
Hyacinth1,600 m Tokyo RacecourseFeb 19, 2017EpicharisAdiratoHyper NovaFoggy Night

Note: Cattleya Sho: 1st=40 points; 2nd=16 points; 3rd=8 points; 4th=4 points
Note: Hyacinth: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points