2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby
{{short description|Series of horse races}}
The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2020 Kentucky Derby, which was held on September 5 (rescheduled from the traditional first Saturday in May due to the coronavirus pandemic). 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 (plus one in Dubai), 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. 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.{{cite web |title=Road to Kentucky Derby and Oaks Schedule Announced |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/235362/road-to-kentucky-derby-and-oaks-schedule-announced |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=9 September 2019 |language=en}} 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 {{frac|1|1|16}} miles, the Risen Star from {{frac|1|1|16}} to {{frac|1|1|8}} miles, and the Louisiana Derby goes from {{frac|1|1|8}} to {{frac|1|3|16}} miles.{{cite web |title=Risen Star, Louisiana Derby, Lecomte Will All Be Longer In 2020 |url=https://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/risen-star-louisiana-derby-lecomte-will-all-be-longer-in-2020/ |website=Paulick Report |access-date=25 September 2019 |language=en |date=25 September 2019}} 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 {{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241173/churchill-announces-road-to-kentucky-derby-extension |title= Churchill Announces Road to Kentucky Derby Extension |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=BloodHorse.com |author=BloodHorse Staff}} 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. The ranking is for horses that are still pointing towards the race, as shown on the Derby Leaderboard published by Churchill Downs on August 22,{{cite web|title=Derby Leaderboard – August 22 update|url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/20200822_Derby_Oaks_Leaderboard.pdf|access-date=22 August 2020}} updated for subsequently announced withdrawals from the field.{{cite web |title=Art Collector Out of Kentucky Derby With Foot Issue |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/243146/art-collector-out-of-kentucky-derby-with-foot-issue |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=1 September 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Kentucky Derby: Authentic works, headed to Louisville; Rushie Out, full field unlikely |url=https://www.usracing.com/news/kentucky-derby-authentic-works-headed-to-louisville-rushie-out-full-field-unlikely |website=Horse Racing News |access-date=1 September 2020 |date=30 August 2020}}
Authentic, who was the eventual winner of the Kentucky Derby, qualified for the race in second place by winning the Haskell, Sham and San Felipe, plus finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby.
| class="wikitable"
!Rank{{efn|The ranking shown is based on the }} !Horse !Points !Earnings{{efn|Earnings from non-restricted stakes prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby serve as a tie-breaker.}} !Trainer !Owner !Ref |
| 1
| 372 | $1,972,400 |
| 2
|200 |$980,000 | Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables & Starlight Racing {{efn|Authentic's original ownership group was SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, F. Hertrich III, J. Fielding and Golconda Stables}} |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| retired{{efn|Nadal was retired after sustaining a condylar fracture{{cite web |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241451/unbeaten-nadal-retired-with-condylar-fracture|date=28 May 2020 |title=Unbeaten Nadal Retired With Condylar Fracture |access-date=29 May 2020 |publisher=BloodHorse.com |first1=Bob Ehalt |last1=Ehalt |first2=Byron |last2=King}}}} | Nadal | 150 | $1,020,000 | George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen |
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|injured |Art Collector |150 |$476,461 |Thomas Drury Jr. |
| 3
| 140 | $340,000 | C R K Stable |
| -bgcolor=lightgrey
| bypassing | Basin | 110 | $592,500 | Jackpot Farm |
| 4
| Ny Traffic | 110 | $472,820 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing & Paul Braverman |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| injured{{efn|Wells Bayou sustained ankle bruising and is off the Kentucky Derby trail}} | Wells Bayou | 104 | $765,000 | Brad Cox | Lance and Clint Gasaway |
| 5
| King Guillermo{{efn|Originally King Guillermo was not nominated for the Triple Crown, but after his victory in the Tampa Bay Derby connections paid the late payment fee for nomination{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239002/king-guillermo-made-a-late-nomination-to-triple-crown|title=King Guillermo Made a Late Nomination to Triple Crown|date=11 March 2020|author=BloodHorse Staff|work=BloodHorse.com}}}} | 90 | $317,050 | Juan Carlos Avila |
| 6
| Thousand Words | 83 | $297,000 | Albaugh Family Stables & Spendthrift Farm |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| Dr Post | 80 | $331,035 | St. Elias Stable |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
| bypassing | Ete Indien | 74 | $357,156 | Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable, Horse France America, D P Racing & Patrick L. Biancone Racing |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
| bypassing | Modernist | 70 | $369,000 |
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| injured{{efn|Maxfield has suffered a condylar fracture and off the Kentucky Derby trail{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241680/maxfield-off-derby-trail-with-condylar-fracture|title=Maxfield Off Derby Trail With Condylar Fracture|date=10 June 2020|last1=Hammonds |first1=Evan |last2=King |first2=Byron |work=BloodHorse.com}}}} | Maxfield | 60 | $388,350 | Brendan Walsh |
| 7
| Max Player | 60 | $337,500 | George E. Hall & SportBLX Thoroughbreds |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| Caracaro | 60 | $205,000 | Gustavo Delgado | Top Racing, Global Thoroughbreds |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| ill{{efn|Gouverneur Morris was diagnosed with colitis in June and was taken out of training to give him time to recover{{cite web |title=Colitis Knocks Gouverneur Morris Off the Derby Trail |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241951/colitis-knocks-gouverneur-morris-off-the-derby-trail |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=20 August 2020 |language=en}}}} | Gouverneur Morris | 54 | $236,000 |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| injured{{cite web|title=Mr. Monomoy Off Kentucky Derby Trail|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/238813/mr-monomoy-off-kentucky-derby-trail|access-date=2 March 2020|last=Oser|first=Christine|work=The Blood-Horse}} | Mr. Monomoy | 52 | $260,000 | Brad Cox | Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Doheny Racing Stable |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| bypassing | {{sic|Misch|evious|hide=y}} Alex | 50 | $324,910 | Cash is King & LC Racing |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Country Grammer | 50 | $106,400 | Paul Pompa Jr. |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| Pneumatic{{efn|Originally Pneumatic was not nominated for the Triple Crown, but his connections paid the late payment fee for nomination}} | 45 | $169,250 | Winchell Thoroughbreds |
| 8
| Enforceable | 43 | $314,550 |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypass{{efn|The filly qualified for entry to the Kentucky Derby, but her trainer confirmed they would run in the Kentucky Oaks{{cite web|title=Swiss Skydiver lands in Alabama|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2020/08/13/swiss-skydiver-lands-in-alabama|date=13 August 2020|last=MacAdam|first=Adam|work=dailygazette.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}} | Swiss Skydiver | 40 | $901,820 | Peter J. Callahan |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Shivaree | 40 | $311,905 | Ralph Nicks | Jacks or Better Farm |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Rushie | 40 | $108,000 | Michael McCarthy | Jim Daniell & Donna Daniel |
| 9
| Major Fed | 38 | $179,100 | Greg Foley | Lloyd Madison Farms |
| 10
| 36 | $1,273,851 | Peter Eurton | David A Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, D. Hudock, S. Wilson |
| 11
| Attachment Rate | 35 | $93,675 | Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister |
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| bypassing | Anneau d'Or | 32 | $435,821 | Blaine Wright | Peter Redekop |
| 12
| Sole Volante | 30 | $273,510 | Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone & Limelight Stables |
| 13
| Finnick the Fierce | 25 | $120,200 | Rey Hernandez | Arnaldo Monge & Rey Hernandez |
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| bypassing | Silver Prospector | 21 | $664,018 | Ed & Susie Orr |
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| Field Pass | 20 | $229,960 | Three Diamond Farms |
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| bypassing | Excession | 20 | $206,000 |
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| bypassing | Candy Tycoon | 20 | $83,500 | Mathis Stable |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Untitled | 20 | $81,999 | Gary Barber & Michael B. Sebastian |
| 14
| Winning Impressions{{efn|Winning Impressions was a late nominee}} | 20 | $54,822 | West Point Thoroughbreds & Pearl Racing |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Shotski | 19 | $212,466 | Jeremiah O'Dwyer | Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable & M. Karty |
| 15
| South Bend{{efn|South Bend's connections originally planned to bypass the race, but changed their mind in the final week}} | 18 | $291,902 | Gary Barber, Adam Watchtel, Peter Deutsch, Leonard Schleifer |
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| Jesus' Team |18 |$80,000 |Jose D'Angelo |Group 7 Racing |
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| bypassing | Farmington Road | 15 | $101,000 | Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Chrysalia Stables & Robert LaPenta |
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| bypassing{{efn|Connections of Independence Hall has decided to bypass the Kentucky Derby trail{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241700/independence-hall-likely-sidelined-until-fall|title=Independence Hall Likely Sidelined Until Fall|date=10 June 2020|last =Ehalt|first =Bob |work=BloodHorse.com}}}} | Independence Hall | 14 | $226,600 | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Kathleen and Robert Verratti |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Silver State | 14 | $90,000 | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Azul Coast | 14 | $80,500 | Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman |
| 16
| Necker Island | 14 | $74,808 | Chris Hartman | Raymond Daniels & Wayne Scherr |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Shoplifted | 13 | $388,500 | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | 10 | $200,351 | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Freferick Hertrich III, John D. Fielding, Golconda Stables |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| bypassing{{efn|Dennis' Moment is not in consideration for the Kentucky Derby}} | Dennis' Moment | 10 | $141,800 | Albaugh Family Stables |
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| bypassing | Gold Street | 10 | $141,000 | Mike McCarty |
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| bypassing | As Seen On Tv | 10 | $80,100 | Kelly Breen | Screen Door Stables |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| Texas Swing | 10 | $35,000 | Harrell Ventures |
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| bypassing | Three Technique | 9 | $80,000 | Jeremiah Englehart |
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| bypassing | Invader | 8 | $107,140 | Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables & LNJ Foxwoods |
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| bypassing | Ajaaweed | 7 | $95,000 |
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| bypassing | Scabbard | 6 | $186,000 | Eddie Kenneally | Joseph Sutton |
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| bypassing | Answer In | 6 | $155,000 | Brad Cox | Robert LaPenta & Madaket Stables |
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| bypassing | Relentless Dancer | 6 | $29,750 | Paradise Farms, Terry Raymond, Jana Wagner |
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| bypassing | Wrecking Crew | 5 | $301,000 | Rockingham Ranch & David Bernsen |
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| bypassing | Montauk Traffic | 5 | $73,000 | Chris Fountoukis |
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| bypassing | Mailman Money | 5 | $16,000 | Allied Racing Stable |
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| bypassing | Green Light Go | 4 | $224,550 |
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| bypassing | High Velocity | 4 | $97,000 |
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| bypassing | American Theorem | 4 | $66,667 | George Papaprodromou | Kretz Racing |
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| bypassing | Royal Act | 4 | $31,644 | Peter Eurton | C R K Stable |
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| bypassing | Fancy Liquor | 4 | $23,500 | Skychai Racing & Sand Dollar Stable |
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| American Farmer | 4 | $20,000 | Steve Sherman | BKB Stables & Steve Sherman |
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| bypassing | Prince of Pharoahs | 3 | $27,750 | Darlene Bilinski & Harry Patten |
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| bypassing | Bourbon Bay | 3 | $24,000 | Bourbon Lane Stable, Seidman Stables, Lake Lonely Racing |
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| bypassing | Lebda{{efn|Originally Lebda was not nominated for the Triple Crown, but his connections paid the late payment fee for nomination}} | 2 | $150,125 | Claudio Gonzalez | Joseph Besecker |
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| bypassing | Big City Bob | 2 | $123,000 | Jorge Duarte Jr. | Colts Neck Stables |
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| Embolden | 2 | $82,000 | Michael Stidham | Dare To Dream Stable |
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| bypassing | Chase Tracker | 2 | $51,700 | St. Elias Stable |
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| bypassing | Portos | 2 | $30,000 |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing | Toledo{{efn|Toledo is ahead of Zimba Warrior in the standings due to higher stakes earned from non-restricted stakes}} | 2 | $24,500 |
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| bypassing | Zimba Warrior | 2 | $24,500 | Charles & Cynthia Marquis |
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| Indian Peak | 2 | $16,500 | Quinn Howey | Jill & William Gray |
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| bypassing | Halo Again | 2 | $11,400 | Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing |
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| bypassing | Jungle Runner | 1 | $87,250 |
| bgcolor=lightgray
| bypassing |style="white-space: nowrap;"| Monday Morning Qb | 1 | $75,000 | Butch Reid Jr. | Cash is King and LC Racing |
| bgcolor=lightgrey
| Gozilla | 1 | $72,000 |
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| bypassing | Taishan | 1 | $51,000 | Richard Baltas | Calvin Nguyen & Joey Tran |
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| bypassing | Informative | 1 | $38,000 | Uriah St. Lewis | Uriah St. Lewis |
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| bypassing | Letmeno | 1 | $29,200 | Randall Bloch & Six Column Stables |
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| bypassing | Express Train | 1 | $18,000 | C R K Stable |
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| Celtic Striker | 1 | $12,000 | Raymond Handal | Imperial Racing |
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| bypassing | Tiz Rye Time | 1 | $10,000 | Bourbon Lane Stable, Cleber J. Massey, Jim Gladden |
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| bypassing | Tizamagician{{efn|Tizamagician is ahead of Wine and Whiskey in the standings due to higher stakes earned from non-restricted stakes}} | 1 | $6,000 | MyRacehorse.com & Spendthrift Farm |
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| Wine and Whiskey | 1 | $6,000 | Felix Rondan | Ruben Arechiga & Felix Rondan |
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| Shirl's Speight | 0{{efn|Shirl's Speight did not earn points on the Road, but became eligible for the race when there was still a position left in the starting gate after all point earners had made their decision about whether or not to enter. He was the top ranked non-points earner based on his graded stakes earnings from the Marine Stakes in Canada{{cite web |title=Woodbine Stakes Winner Shirl's Speight Confirmed for Kentucky Derby |url=https://canadianthoroughbred.com/horse-news/woodbine-stakes-winner-shirls-speight-confirmed-kentucky-derby/ |website=Canadian Thoroughbred |access-date=23 August 2020 |language=en-CA}}}} | $55,896 |
| 17
| Money Moves | 0{{efn|Money Moves did not earn points on the Road, but became eligible for the race when there was still a position left in the starting gate after all point earners and graded stakes earners had made their decision about whether or not to enter.}} | 0 | Robert LaPenta & Bortolazzo Stable |
- Winner of Kentucky Derby in bold
- Sidelined/Inactive/No longer under Derby Consideration/Not nominated in gray
=Prep season=
Note: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point (except the Breeders' Cup Juvenile: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 points)
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Purse !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Iroquois
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Sep 14 2019 |Dennis' Moment |Scabbard |Lebda |Letmeno |
| American Pharoah
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$301,404 |Santa Anita |Sep 27 2019 | American Theorem | Express Train |
| Champagne
|1 mile |align=right|$500,000 |Belmont |Oct 5 2019 |Green Light Go |Big City Bob |Gozilla |
| Breeders' Futurity
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$500,000 |Keeneland |Oct 5 2019 |Maxfield |Gouverneur Morris |Enforcable |Ajaaweed |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$2,000,000 |Santa Anita |Nov 1 2019 | Anneau D'or | Wrecking Crew | Scabbard |
| Kentucky Jockey Club
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$300,000 |Churchill Downs |Nov 30 2019 | Silver Prospector | Finnick the Fierce | Enforceable |
| Remsen
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$250,000 |Aqueduct |Dec 7 2019 | Shotski | Ajaaweed | Chase Tracker | Informative |
| Los Alamitos Futurity
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Los Alamitos |Dec 7 2019 | Thousand Words | Anneau D'or | High Velocity | Wrecking Crew |
| Springboard Mile
|1 mile |align=right|$400,000 |Remington |Dec 15 2019 | Shoplifted | Answer In | Embolden | Jungle Runner |
| Jerome
|1 mile |align=right|$150,000 |Aqueduct |Jan 1 2020 | Independence Hall |colspan=2| Prince of Pharoahs and Bourbon Bay{{efn|Dead heat for second place, both horses received three qualification points}} | Celtic Striker |
| Sham
|1 mile |align=right|$100,000 |Santa Anita |Jan 4 2020 | Authentic | Azul Coast | Zimba Warrior | Taishan |
| Lecomte
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Fair Grounds |Jan 18 2020 | Enforceable | Silver State | Mr. Monomoy | Finnick the Fierce |
| Smarty Jones
|1 mile |align=right|$150,000 |Oaklawn |Jan 24 2020 | Gold Street | Three Technique | Shoplifted | Silver Prospector |
| Holy Bull
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$350,000 |Gulfstream |Feb 1 2020 | Ete Indien | Toledo | Relentless Dancer |
| Withers
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$250,000 |Aqueduct |Feb 1 2020 | Max Player | Shotski | Portos | Monday Morning Qb |
| Robert B. Lewis
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$150,000 |Santa Anita |Feb 1 2020 | Thousand Words | Royal Act | High Velocity | Tizamagician |
| Sam F. Davis Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$250,000 |Tampa Bay |Feb 8 2020 | Sole Volante | Independence Hall | Ajaaweed | Tiz Rye Time |
| El Camino Real Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$100,000 |Golden Gate |Feb 15 2020 | Azul Coast | American Farmer | Indian Peak | Wine and Whisky |
| Southwest
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$750,000 |Oaklawn |Feb 17 2020 | Silver Prospector | Wells Bayou | Answer In | Shoplifted |
= Championship series events=
== First leg of series==
Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Purse !Grade !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| rowspan=2|Risen Star Stakes{{efn|Racing officials split the event into two divisions after the number of entries entered exceeded the number for one event{{cite web |title=Popular Risen Star Stakes Split into Divisions |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/238394/popular-risen-star-stakes-split-into-divisions |website=Bloodhorse|last=King|first=Byron|access-date=9 February 2020}}}}
|rowspan=2|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |rowspan=2 align=right|$400,000 |rowspan=2|2 |rowspan=2|Fair Grounds |rowspan=2|Feb 15 2020 | Mr. Monomoy | Enforceable | Silver State | Farmington Road |
| Modernist
| Major Fed | Ny Traffic | Mailman Money |
| Fountain of Youth
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$400,000 |2 |Feb 29 2020 | Ete Indien | Candy Tycoon | As Seen On Tv | Shotski |
| Tampa Bay Derby
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$400,000 |2 |Tampa Bay |Mar 7 2020 | King Guillermo | Sole Volante | Texas Swing | Relentless Dancer |
| Gotham Stakes
|1 mile |align=right|$300,000 |3 |Aqueduct |Mar 7 2020 | {{sic|Misch|evious|hide=y}} Alex | Untitled | Attachment Rate | Montauk Traffic |
| San Felipe Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$401,000 |2 |Santa Anita |Mar 7 2020 | Authentic | Honor A.P. | Storm the Court | Thousand Words |
| Rebel Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$1,000,000 |2 |Oaklawn |Mar 14 2020 | Nadal | Excession | Basin | Three Technique |
| Sunland Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$700,000 |3 |Sunland Park |Mar 22 2020 |colspan=5 align=center| Cancelled{{efn|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the administration of Sunland Park cancelled the event{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239094/maryland-new-mexico-close-tracks-simulcast-facilities |title=Maryland, New Mexico Close Tracks, Simulcast Facilities |date=15 March 2020|publisher=BloodHorse.com|author=BloodHorse Staff}}}} |
==Second 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 points
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Purse !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Jeff Ruby Steaks
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$250,000 |Turfway | Mar 14 2020 | Field Pass | Invader | Fancy Liquor | Halo Again |
| Lexington Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles | $200,000 |Keeneland | Apr 11 2020 |colspan=5 align=center| Cancelled{{efn|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the administration of Keeneland cancelled the Spring meeting including the Lexington Stakes}} |
= Extended series events=
The following races were announced for the extension of the Road to the Kentucky Derby as a result of the Derby being run in September instead of May.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241173/churchill-announces-road-to-kentucky-derby-extension |title= Churchill Announces Road to Kentucky Derby Extension |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=BloodHorse.com |author=BloodHorse Staff}}
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Purse !Grade !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Matt Winn Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |$150,000 |align=center|3 |Churchill Downs | May 23, 2020 | Maxfield | Ny Traffic | Pneumatic | Attachment Rate |
| Santa Anita Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$400,000{{efn|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the administration of Santa Anita Park lowered the purse of the Santa Anita Derby from $1 million to $400,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-schedules-29-stakes-including-four-grade-1s |title=Santa Anita schedules 29 stakes, including four Grade 1's |date=30 April 2020 |publisher=Daily Racing Form |last=Andersen |first=Steve |access-date=1 May 2020}}}} |align=center|1 |June 6, 2020{{efn|Santa Anita Derby was moved to the Extended Season due to rescheduling of the event.}} | Honor A. P. | Authentic | Rushie | Anneau d'Or |
| Belmont Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$1,000,000 |align=center|1 |June 20, 2020 | Tiz the Law | Dr Post | Max Player | Pneumatic |
| Ohio Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$500,000 |align=center|3 |Thistledown Racino |June 27, 2020 | Dean Martini | South Bend | Storm the Court | Rowdy Yates |
| Los Alamitos Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$150,000 |align=center|3 |Los Alamitos |July 4, 2020 | Uncle Chuck | Thousand Words | Cosmo | Great Power |
| Indiana Derby
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |$500,000 |align=center|3 |Indiana Grand |July 8, 2020 | Shared Sense | Major Fed | Necker Island | Earner |
| Blue Grass Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$600,000{{efn|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the administration of Keeneland lowered the purse of the Blue Grass Stakes from $1 million to $600,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/241365/keeneland-applies-to-run-summer-meet-july-8-12 |title=Keeneland Applies to Run Summer Meet July 8–12 |date=22 May 2020 |access-date=23 May 2020 |work=BloodHorse.com |first=Byron |last=King}}}} |align=center|2 |Keeneland | July 11, 2020{{efn|Blue Grass Stakes was moved to the Extended Season due to rescheduling of the event.}} | Art Collector | Swiss Skydiver | Rushie | Enforceable |
| Peter Pan Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$100,000 |align=center|3 |July 16, 2020 | Country Grammer | Caracaro | Mystic Guide | Celtic Striker |
| Haskell Invitational
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$1,000,000 |align=center|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
|{{frac|1|1|4}} miles |$1,000,000 |align=center|1 |August 8, 2020 | Tiz the Law | Caracaro | Max Player | South Bend |
| Ellis Park Derby
|1 mile |$100,000 | |August 9, 2020 | Art Collector | Attachment Rate | Necker Island | Rowdy Yates |
| Pegasus Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |$200,000 |align=center|3 |August 15, 2020 | Pneumatic | Jesus' Team | Arkaan | Super John |
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.
The top point earners were Café Pharoah (70 points), Danon Pharaoh (40 points), Herrschaft (40 points) and Dieu du Vin (26 points). None of the invitations were accepted.
;Races
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Cattleya Sho
| 1,600 metres | Nov 23 2019 | Dieu du Vin | Shonan Mario | Daimei Corrida | Aurora Tesoro |
| Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
| 1,600 metres | Dec 18 2019 | Vacation | Iolite | T's Dunk | Meisho Tensui | {{cite web|title=Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun (Result)|url=http://www2.keiba.go.jp/KeibaWeb/TodayRaceInfo/RaceMarkTable?k_raceNo=11&k_raceDate=2019%2F12%2F18&k_babaCode=21|website=Keiba NRA official Website - results|access-date=18 December 2019|language=ja}}{{cite web|title=Vacation Takes Lead in Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/237551/vacation-takes-lead-in-japan-road-to-the-kentucky-derby|website=bloodhorse.com|access-date=18 December 2019|date=18 December 2019|last=Kieckhefer |first=Bob}} |
| Hyacinth Stakes
| 1,600 metres |Tokyo Racecourse |Feb 23 2020 | Tagano Beauty | Yaugau | Longonot |
| Fukuryu Stakes
| 1,800 metres |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 (~{{frac|1|1|4}} miles) |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
;Qualification table
The top four horses (colored brown within the standings) are eligible to participate in the Kentucky Derby provided the horse is nominated.
| class="wikitable"
!Rank !Horse !Points !Eligible !Trainer !Owner !Ref |
| bgcolor="tan"
|1 |70 | |Noriyuki Hori |Koichi Nishikawa | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|2 |Danon Pharaoh |40 | | | | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|2 |Herrschaft |40 | | | | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|4 |Dieu du Vin |26 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|5 |Vacation |20 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|6 |Daimei Corrida |18 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|7 |T O Keynes |16 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|8 |Tagano |12 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Iolite |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Kenshinko |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Kitaro Octopus |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Miyaji Kokuo |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|13 |Yaugau |6 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |American Face |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Bravoure |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Shonan Mario |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |T's Dunk |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Thunder Blitz |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|19 |Longonot |3 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|20 |Meisho Tensui |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|21 |Aurora Tesoro |1 | | | | |
Notes:
- brown highlight – qualified on points but declined offer
- grey highlight – did not qualify
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.
The top point earners were Nobel Prize (30 points), Crossfirehurricane (20 points), Chares (20 points) and Kameko (14 points). None of the invitations were accepted.
;Races
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Royal Lodge Stakes
| 1 mile | Sep 28 2019 | Royal Dornoch | Kameko | Iberia | Year Of The Tiger |
| Beresford Stakes
| 1 mile | Sep 29 2019 | Innisfree | Shekhem | Gold Maze | Camorra |
| Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère
| 1,600 metres | Oct 6 2019 | Alson | Armory | Ecrivain |
| Vertem Futurity Trophy
| 1 mile | Newcastle{{efn|Originally the race was scheduled on 26 October 2019 at Doncaster Racecourse but the event was canceled due to the waterlogged condition of the track. Event was rescheduled for Friday, 1 November 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingtv.com/news/newcastle-to-stage-friday-futurity|publisher=Racing TV (UK)|title=Newcastle set to stage rescheduled Vertem Futurity Trophy on Friday | date=26 October 2019}} }} | Nov 1 2019 | Kameko | Innisfree | Year Of The Tiger | Mogul |
| Patton Stakes
| 1 mile |Feb 28 2020 | Crossfirehurricane | Choice Of Mine | Orchid Gardens | Dutch Admiral |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes
| 1 mile | Mar 4 2020 | Chares | Berlin Tango | New World Tapestry | Naval Commander |
| Cardinal Stakes
| 1 mile |Apr 2 2020 | colspan=5 align=center |Cancelled{{cite web |title=BHA extends suspension of racing in Britain with no date set for sport's return |work=Racing Post |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/bha-extends-suspension-of-racing-in-britain-with-no-date-set-for-sports-return/431695 |access-date=27 April 2020}} |
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
;Qualification table
The top four horses (colored brown within the standings) are eligible to participate in the Kentucky Derby provided the horse is nominated.
| class="wikitable"
!Rank !Horse !Points !Eligible !Trainer !Owner !Ref |
| bgcolor="tan"
|1 |Chares |20 | | | | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|1 |Crossfirehurricane |20 | | | | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|3 |Innisfree |14 | | | | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|3 |Kameko |14 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|5 |Royal Dornoch |10 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|5 |Victor Ludorum |10 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|7 |Berlin Tango |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|7 |Choice of Mine |8 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Alson |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |New World Tapestry |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Orchid Gardens |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Shekhem |4 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|13 |Year Of The Tiger |3 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Armory |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Dutch Admiral |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Gold Maze |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Iberia |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Naval Commander |2 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|19 |Camorra |1 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|19 |Ecrivain |1 | | | | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|19 |Mogul |1 | | | | |
Notes:
- brown highlight – qualified on points but declined offer
- grey highlight – did not qualify
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Kentucky Derby}}
{{Road to the Kentucky Derby}}