2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby
The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby is a series of races through which horses will qualify for the 2020 Kentucky Derby, which will be held on September 5. The field for the Derby is limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field. There are 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 European Road with seven European races in England, Ireland and France. The top four finishers in the specified races receive points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races act as a tie breaker.
When originally announced in September 2019, the main Road to the Kentucky Derby would have remained substantially the same as the 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby, consisting of 35 races, 19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. Fair Grounds Race Course subsequently made minor changes to the length of the three qualifying races that it hosts: the Lecomte Stakes goes from a mile and 70 yards to miles, the Risen Star from to miles, and the Louisiana Derby goes from to miles. However in March 2020, the growing coronavirus pandemic prompted the cancellation of several prep races, and the rescheduling of the Derby itself. Churchill Downs added more qualifying races to the series in May which became known as the Extended Series.
Main Road to the Kentucky Derby
Standings
The following table shows the points earned in the eligible races for the main series.| Rank | Horse | Points | Earnings | Trainer | Owner | Ref |
| 1 | Tiz the Law | 272 | $1,437,400 | Barclay Tagg | Sackatoga Stable | |
| retired | Nadal | 150 | $1,020,000 | Bob Baffert | George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen | |
| 2 | Honor A. P. | 120 | $320,000 | John Shirreff | C R K Stable | |
| injured | Wells Bayou | 104 | $765,000 | Brad Cox | Lance and Clint Gasaway | |
| 3 | Authentic | 100 | $380,000 | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, F. Hertrich III, J. Fielding and Golconda Stables | |
| 4 | Art Collector | 100 | $360,556 | Thomas Drury, Jr. | Bruce Lunsford | |
| injured | Charlatan | 100 | $300,000 | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, F. Hertrich III, J. Fielding and Golconda Stables | |
| 5 | King Guillermo | 90 | $317,050 | Juan Carlos Avila | Victoria's Ranch | |
| 6 | Ete Indien | 74 | $357,156 | Patrick L. Biancone | Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable, Horse France America, D P Racing & Patrick L. Biancone Racing | |
| 7 | Modernist | 70 | $365,000 | William I. Mott | Pam & Martin Wygod | |
| 8 | Ny Traffic | 70 | $272,820 | William I. Mott | John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing & Paul Braverman | |
| injured | Maxfield | 60 | $388,350 | Brendan Walsh | Godolphin Stables | |
| 9 | Dr Post | 60 | $231,035 | Todd Pletcher | St. Elias Stable | |
| injured | Mr. Monomoy | 52 | $260,000 | Brad Cox | Madekat Stables, Michael Dubb and Doheny Racing Stable | |
| 10 | Basin | 50 | $392,500 | Steven Asmussen | Jackpot Farm | |
| 11 | Mischevious Alex | 50 | $323,410 | John Servis | Cash is King & LC Racing | |
| 12 | Shivaree | 40 | $284,505 | Ralph Nicks | Jacks or Better Farm | |
| 13 | Max Player | 40 | $237,500 | Linda L. Rice | George E. Hall | |
| 14 | Gouverneur Morris | 34 | $186,000 | Todd Pletcher | Team Valor and WinStar Farm | |
| 15 | Enforceable | 33 | $284,550 | Mark Casse | John Oxley | |
| 16 | Storm the Court | 32 | $1,198,851 | Peter Eurton | David A Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, D. Hudock, S. Wilson | |
| 17 | Sole Volante | 30 | $243,510 | Patrick L. Biancone | Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone & Limelight Stables | |
| 18 | Major Fed | 30 | $81,500 | Greg Foley | Lloyd Madison Farms | |
| 19 | Thousand Words | 25 | $205,000 | Bob Baffert | Albaugh Family Stables & Spendthrift Stables | |
| 20 | Finnick the Fierce | 25 | $120,200 | Rey Hernandez | Arnaldo Monge and Rey Hernandez | |
| 21 | Pneumatic | 25 | $79,250 | Steven Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | |
| 22 | Silver Prospector | 21 | $664,018 | Steven Asmussen | Ed and Susie Orr | |
| 23 | Anneau d'Or | 20 | $424,000 | Blaine Wright | Peter Redekop | |
| not nominated | Field Pass | 20 | $229,960 | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamond Farms | |
| 24 | Excession | 20 | $206,000 | Steven Asmussen | Calumet Farm | |
| 25 | Candy Tycoon | 20 | $83,500 | Todd Pletcher | Mathis Stable | |
| 26 | Untitled | 20 | $81,999 | Mark Casse | Gary Barber & Michael B. Sebastian | |
| not nominated | Rushie | 20 | $48,000 | Michael McCarthy | Jim Daniell & Donna Daniel | |
| 27 | Shotski | 19 | $212,466 | Jeremiah O'Dwyer | Wachtel Stable, G. Barber, Pantofel Stable & M. Karty | |
| 28 | Farmington Road | 15 | $101,000 | Todd Pletcher | Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Chrysalia Stables & Robert LaPenta | |
| 29 | Attachment Rate | 15 | $43,125 | Dale Romans | Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister | |
| bypassing | Independence Hall | 14 | $226,600 | Michael J. Trombetta | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Kathleen and Robert Verratti | |
| 30 | Silver State | 14 | $90,000 | Steven Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing | |
| 31 | Azul Coast | 14 | $80,500 | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael Pegram and Paul Weitman | |
| 32 | Shoplifted | 13 | $388,500 | Steven Asmussen | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods | |
| 33 | Eight Rings | 10 | $200,351 | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, F. Hertrich III, J. Fielding and Golconda Stables | |
| bypassing | Dennis' Moment | 10 | $141,800 | Dale Romans | Albaugh Family Stables | |
| 34 | Gold Street | 10 | $141,000 | Steven Asmussen | Mike McCarty | |
| 35 | As Seen On Tv | 10 | $80,100 | Kelly Breen | Screen Door Stables | |
| not nominated | Texas Swing | 10 | $35,000 | Todd Pletcher | Harrell Ventures | |
| 36 | Winning Impressions | 10 | $25,000 | Dallas Stewart | West Point Thoroughbreds and Pearl Racing | |
| 37 | Three Technique | 9 | $80,000 | Jeremiah Englehart | August Dawn Farm | |
| 38 | Invader | 8 | $107,140 | Wesley Ward | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods | |
| 39 | Ajaaweed | 7 | $95,000 | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Stable | |
| 40 | Scabbard | 6 | $186,000 | Eddie Kenneally | Joseph Sutton | |
| 41 | Answer In | 6 | $155,000 | Brad Cox | Robert LaPenta & Madaket Stables | |
| 42 | Relentless Dancer | 6 | $29,750 | Michael J. Maker | Paradise Farms, Terry Raymond, Jana Wagner | |
| 43 | Wrecking Crew | 5 | $301,000 | Peter L. Miller | Rockingham Ranch & David Bernsen | |
| 44 | Montauk Traffic | 5 | $73,000 | Linda L. Rice | Chris Fountoukis | |
| 45 | Mailman Money | 5 | $16,000 | Bret Calhoun | Allied Racing Stable | |
| 46 | Green Light Go | 4 | $224,550 | James Jerkens | Stronach Stables | |
| 47 | High Velocity | 4 | $97,000 | Bob Baffert | Gary West and Mary West | |
| 48 | American Theorem | 4 | $66,667 | George Papaprodromou | Kretz Racing | |
| 49 | Royal Act | 4 | $31,644 | Peter Eurton | C R K Stable | |
| 50 | Fancy Liquor | 4 | $23,500 | Michael J. Maker | Skychai Racing & Sand Dollar Stable | |
| not nominated | American Farmer | 4 | $20,000 | Steve Sherman | BKB Stables & Steve Sherman | |
| 51 | Prince of Pharoahs | 3 | $27,750 | Linda L. Rice | Darlene Bilinski and Harry Patten | |
| 52 | Bourbon Bay | 3 | $24,000 | Mark A. Hennig | Bourbon Lane Stable, Seidman Stables and Lake Lonely Racing | |
| 53 | Lebda | 2 | $150,125 | Claudio Gonzalez | Joseph Besecker | |
| 54 | Big City Bob | 2 | $123,000 | Jorge Duarte Jr. | Colts Neck Stables | |
| not nominated | Embolden | 2 | $82,000 | Michael Stidham | Dare To Dream Stable | |
| 55 | Chase Tracker | 2 | $51,700 | Todd Pletcher | St. Elias Stable | |
| 56 | Portos | 2 | $30,000 | Todd Pletcher | Wertheimer & Frere | |
| 57 | Toledo | 2 | $24,500 | Chad C. Brown | Juddmonte Farms | |
| 58 | Zimba Warrior | 2 | $24,500 | J. Keith Desormeaux | Charles and Cynthia Marquis | |
| not nominated | Indian Peak | 2 | $16,500 | Quinn Howey | Jill and William Gray | |
| 59 | Halo Again | 2 | $11,400 | Steven Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing | |
| 60 | Jungle Runner | 1 | $87,250 | Steven Asmussen | Calumet Farm | |
| 61 | Monday Morning Qb | 1 | $75,000 | Butch Reid Jr. | Cash is King and LC Racing | |
| not nominated | Gozilla | 1 | $72,000 | Steven Asmussen | Zayat Stables | |
| 62 | Taishan | 1 | $51,000 | Richard Baltas | Calvin Nguyen and Joey Tran | |
| 63 | Informative | 1 | $38,000 | Uriah St. Lewis | Uriah St. Lewis | |
| 64 | Letmeno | 1 | $29,200 | Ian Wilkes | Randall Bloch & Six Column Stables | |
| 65 | Express Train | 1 | $18,000 | John Shirreff | C R K Stable | |
| not nominated | Celtic Striker | 1 | $12,000 | Raymond Handal | Imperial Racing | |
| 66 | Tiz Rye Time | 1 | $10,000 | Ian Wilkes | Bourbon Lane Stable, Cleber J. Massey & Jim Gladden | |
| 67 | Tizamagician | 1 | $6,000 | Richard Mandella | MyRacehorse.com & Spendthrift Farm | |
| not nominated | Wine and Whiskey | 1 | $6,000 | Felix Rondan | Ruben Arechiga & Felix Rondan |
Prep season
Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 pointChampionship series events
First leg of series
Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 pointsSecond leg of series
These races are the major preps for the Kentucky Derby, and are thus weighted more heavily. Additional races are scheduled to be added in the summer as to make up for cancelled races towards the September 5 Derby. Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=20 points; 4th=10 points'Wild Card' events
Note: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 pointsExtended series events
The following preliminary list of races have been announced for the extension of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, pending agreeable race placement by the host tracks. The races are separated by region and have been added to the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby as a result of the Derby being run in September instead of May.| Race | Distance | Purse | Grade | Track | Date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Ref |
| Matt Winn Stakes | miles | $150,000 | 3 | Churchill Downs | May 23 2020 | Maxfield | Ny Traffic | Pneumatic | Attachment Rate | |
| Santa Anita Derby | miles | $400,000 | 1 | Santa Anita | June 6 2020 | Honor A. P. | Authentic | Rushie | Anneau d'Or | |
| Belmont Stakes | miles | $1,000,000 | 1 | Belmont Park | June 20 2020 | Tiz the Law | Dr Post | Max Player | Pneumatic | |
| Ohio Derby | miles | $500,000 | 3 | Thistledown Racino | June 27 2020 | Dean Martini | South Bend | Storm the Court | Rowdy Yates | |
| Los Alamitos Derby | miles | $150,000 | 3 | Los Alamitos | July 4 2020 | Uncle Chuck | Thousand Words | Cosmo | Great Power | |
| Indiana Derby | miles | $500,000 | 3 | Indiana Grand | July 8 2020 | Shared Sense | Major Fed | Necker Island | Earner | |
| Blue Grass Stakes | miles | $600,000 | 2 | Keeneland | July 11 2020 | Art Collector | Swiss Skydiver | Rushie | Enforceable | |
| Peter Pan Stakes | miles | $100,000 | 3 | Saratoga | July 16 2020 | Country Grammer | Caracaro | Mystic Guide | Celtic Striker | |
| Haskell Invitational | miles | $1,000,000 | 1 | Monmouth Park | July 18 2020 | Authentic | NY Traffic | Dr Post | Jesus' Team | |
| Shared Belief Stakes | 1 mile | $150,000 | Del Mar | August 1 2020 | Thousand Words | Honor A.P. | Kiss Today Goodbye | Cezzane | ||
| Travers Stakes | miles | $1,000,000 | 1 | Saratoga | August 8 2020 | |||||
| Ellis Park Derby | 1 mile | $100,000 | Ellis Park | August 9 2020 | ||||||
| Pegasus Stakes | miles | $200,000 | 3 | Monmouth Park Racetrack | August 15 2020 |
Note:
Belmont Stakes: 1st=150 points; 2nd=60 points; 3rd=30 points; 4th=15 points
Blue Grass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Haskell Invitational, Travers Stakes: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=20 points; 4th=10 points
Matt Winn Stakes, Ellis Park Derby, Shared Belief Stakes, Peter Pan Stakes: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points
Pegasus Stakes, Indiana Derby, Los Alamitos Derby, Ohio Derby: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 points
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 so on through the top four finishers. If neither of the top four accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the horses on the main road to the Derby.| Race | Distance | Track | Date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Ref |
| The Cattleya Sho | 1,600 metres | Tokyo Racecourse | Nov 23 2019 | Dieu du Vin | Shonan Mario | Daimei Corrida | Aurora Tesoro | |
| Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun | 1,600 metres | Kawasaki Racecourse | Dec 18 2019 | Vacation | Iolite | T's Dunk | Meisho Tensui | |
| Hyacinth Stakes | 1,600 metres | Tokyo Racecourse | Feb 23 2020 | Cafe Pharoah | Tagano Beauty | Yaugau | Longonot | |
| Fukuryu Stakes | 1,800 metres | Nakayama Racecourse | Mar 28 2020 | Herrschaft | T O Keynes | Miyaji Kokuo | American Face | |
| Unicorn Stakes | 1,600 meters | Tokyo Racecourse | Jun 21 2020 | Cafe Pharoah | Dieu du Vin | Kenshinko | Thunder Blitz | |
| Japan Dirt Derby | 2,000 meters | Oi Racecouse | Jul 8 2020 | Danon Pharaoh | Daimei Corrida | Kitano Octopus | Bravoure |
Note:
Cattleya Sho: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 points
Hyacinth: 1st=30 points; 2nd=12 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=3 points
Other 3 races : 1st=40 points; 2nd=16 points; 3rd=8 points; 4th=4 points
European Road to the Kentucky Derby
The European 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 none of the top four accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the horses on the main road to the Derby.The series was supposed to consist of seven races – four run on the turf in late 2019 when the horses were age two, plus three races run on a synthetic surface in early 2020. The last race in the series, the Cardinal Stakes, was postponed when horse racing in Britain was suspended from mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Note:
- the four races in 2019 for two-year-olds: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point
- the first two races in 2020: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 points
- The Cardinal Stakes: 1st=30 points; 2nd=12 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=3 points