2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby
{{Short description|May 1 series of races through which horses qualified for the Kentucky Derby in 2021}}
The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2021 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 1. 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 were 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 seven European races in England, Ireland and France. The top four finishers in the specified races received points, with higher points awarded in the major prep races in March and April. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races acted as a tie breaker.
The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby suffered major disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the postponement of the 2020 Derby itself to September. For 2021, the main Road to the Kentucky Derby will instead resemble the 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby, consisting of 36 races, 20 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season except for the following changes:{{efn|See the following list{{cite web|url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races |title=2020/21 Kentucky Derby Prep Races |date=January 2021 |accessdate=17 January 2021 |work=Churchill Downs Inc.}} for details}}
- The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, which was added to the Road in 2020, was retained as part of the Prep season for 2021
- The Jeff Ruby Steaks, which in 2019 and 2020 was a "Wild Card" event, was moved to the Championship Second leg of series with an increase of qualification points – with 1st 100 points, 2nd 40 points, 3rd 20 points and 4th 10 points
For the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby, horses which ran in qualifying events with the medication furosemide (Lasix) did not receive any qualification points.
Standings
The following table shows the points earned in the eligible races for the main series and the leaderboard rank as of April 25.{{cite web |title=Kentucky Derby leaderboard - April 25, 2021 update |url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/20210425_Road_to_the_Kentucky_Derby_Leaderboard.pdf |website=kentuckyderby.com |access-date=25 April 2021}} The Kentucky Derby was won by Mandaloun, who qualified in a Sixth place finished in the Louisiana Derby. He was new winner of the race after the original winner Medina Spirit was disqualified after testing positive for Betamethasone. The trainer of Medina Spirit Bob Baffert got suspended by Churchill Downs for two years.
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!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 |
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| 1 | 140 | $2,210,000 |
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| 2 | Hot Rod Charlie{{efn|Hot Rod Charlie was trained by Leandro Moro for the Louisiana Derby while O'Neill served a 10-day suspension{{cite web |title=Hot Rod Charlie finds high gear in Louisiana Derby |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246768/hot-rod-charlie-finds-high-gear-in-louisiana-derby |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=21 March 2021}}}} | 110 | $962,000 | Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing & Strauss Bros Racing |
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| 3 | Super Stock | 109 | $709,000 | Erv Woolsey & Keith Asmussen |
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| 4 | Like the King | 104 | $161,300 | M Racing Group |
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| 5 | 102 | $461,000 |
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| bypassing{{cite web|title=Rebel's Romance to Pass Kentucky Derby, Await Belmont|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/247288/rebels-romance-to-pass-kentucky-derby-await-belmont |date=7 April 2021 |accessdate=8 April 2021 |author=BloodHorse Staff |work=The Blood-Horse}} | Rebel's Romance (IRE){{efn|Rebel's Romance is ahead of Rock Your World in the standings due to higher stakes earned from non-restricted stakes, the second tie-breaker}} | 100 | $510,000 |
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| 6 | 100 | $510,000 |Hronis Racing & Talla Racing |
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| 7 | Bourbonic | 100 | $400,000 |
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| bypassing{{cite web|title=Greatest Honour Gets Time Off, Will Miss Kentucky Derby|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/247292/greatest-honour-gets-time-off-will-miss-kentucky-derby |date=7 April 2021 |accessdate=8 April 2021 |first=Byron |last=King |work=The Blood-Horse}} | Greatest Honour | 80 | $366,240 | Courtlandt Farms |
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| 8 | 74 | $290,000 | Zedan Racing Stables |
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| Concert Tour | 70 | $820,000 |
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| 9 | 66 | $430,000 |
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| injured{{cite web|title=Life Is Good to Miss Triple Crown With Hind-End Injury|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246761/life-is-good-to-miss-triple-crown-with-hind-end-injury |date=20 March 2021 |accessdate=28 March 2021|first=Byron |last=King |work=The Blood-Horse}} | 60 | $240,000 |
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| Weyburn{{efn|Weyburn's connections paid late nomination fees}} | 60 | $215,000 | Chiefswood Stables |
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| 10 | Mandaloun* | 52 | $270,000 |
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| bypassing{{efn|Shortleaf Stable removed Caddo River after an elevated temperature on April 25}} | Caddo River | 50 | $320,000 |
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| 11{{efn|name=Brown|Trainer Chad Brown has indicated he is likely to have only one starter in the Derby, with a preference for starting Highly Motivated in the Derby and Crowded Trade in the Preakness{{cite web |title=Brown plans to have only one Kentucky Derby starter |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/247411/brown-plans-to-have-only-one-kentucky-derby-starter |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=13 April 2021}}}} | Highly Motivated | 50 | $271,000 |
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| 12 | Helium{{efn|Helium's connections paid late nomination fees}} | 50 | $255,492 | D. J. Stable |
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| bypassing{{efn|Trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer had originally planned to enter but decided to withdraw after their travel plans from Dubai fell through.{{cite web |title=UAE runner Panadol won't make Kentucky Derby |url=https://www.drf.com/news/uae-runner-panadol-wont-make-kentucky-derby |website=www.drf.com |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Byron |title=Panadol out of Kentucky Derby - field takes shape |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/247452/panadol-out-of-kentucky-derby-field-takes-shape |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=15 April 2021}}}} | Panadol{{efn|Panadol's connections paid late nomination fees}} | 40 | $240,000 | Salem bin Ghadayer |
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| 13 | Soup and Sandwich | 40 | $161,000 | Live Oak Plantation |
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| 14 | Dynamic One | 40 | $140,000 | Repole Stable, Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable |
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| bypassing{{efn|name=Brown}} | Crowded Trade | 40 | $135,000 |
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| 15 | Sainthood | 40 | $47,000 |
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| Proxy | 36 | $170,000 | Michael Stidham |
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| bypassing{{efn|Rombauer's connections decided to bypass the Kentucky Derby in preference for a start in The Preakness{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/2021/04/15/panadol-and-rombauer-horses-wont-run-in-kentucky-derby-2021/7236566002/ |title=Panadol, Rombauer no longer under consideration to run in Kentucky Derby |first=Jason |last=Frakes |date=15 April 2021 |website=The Courier-Journal |access-date=13 April 2021}}}} | Rombauer | 34 | $260,500 | John & Diane Fradkin |
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| 16 | Hidden Stash | 32 | $130,000 | Victoria Oliver | BBN Racing |
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| bypassing{{efn|Dream Shake will instead be pointed to the Pat Day Mile{{cite web |title=Ortiz brothers breeze Derby mounts |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/247631/ortiz-brothers-breeze-ky-derby-mounts-at-churchill |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=23 April 2021}}}} | Dream Shake | 30 | $126,000 | Peter Eurton | Dunwoody Farm |
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| 17 | O Besos | 25 | $116,000 | Gregory Foley | L. Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds |
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| Drain the Clock | 20 | $273,950 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables & Michael Nentwig |
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| New Treasure (IRE) | 20 | $271,245 | Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz |
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| bypass{{efn|Although still showing on the official leaderboard, trainer Peter Miller told the Daily Racing Form that Get Her Number would bypass the Derby after an unsatisfactory workout on April 24{{cite web |title=Kentucky Derby: Get Her Number will pass |url=https://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-get-her-number-will-pass |website=www.drf.com |access-date=24 April 2021 |language=en}}}} | Get Her Number | 20 | $242,667 |
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| bypass{{efn|Hozier's connections ruled him out of consideration for the Derby on April 23}} | Hozier | 20 | $230,000 | WinStar Farm, SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm & Robert Masterson |
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| | | 20 | $207,595 | Kenny McPeek | Fern Circle Stables & Three Chimneys Farm |
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| bypassing | Hockey Dad{{efn|Hockey Dad's connections paid a late nomination fee in March}} | 20 | $20,800 | Reddam Racing |
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| 19 | Keepmeinmind{{efn|In November 2020 the original owners Southern Equine Stables sold their interests in Keepmeinmind. In February 2021, Spendthrift Farm acquired a 50% share from Cypress Creek Equine and Arnold Bennewith.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246076/spendthrift-acquires-50-ownership-in-keepmeinmind | title=Spendthrift Acquires 50% Ownership in Keepmeinmind |author=BloodHorse Staff |date=8 February 2021 |accessdate=10 February 2021}}}} | 18 | $385,707 | Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith & Spendthrift Farm |
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| spell | Spielberg | 17 | $369,500 | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farms |
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| bypassing{{cite web|title=Jackie's Warrior Pointed to Pat Day Mile|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246500/jackies-warrior-pointed-to-pat-day-mile |date=3 March 2021 |accessdate=4 March 2021|author=BloodHorse Staff |work=The Blood-Horse}} | 14 | $532,500 | Kirk J. & Judy Robison |
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| | Nova Rags | 14 | $111,250 | Michael P. Shanley |
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| | Unbridled Honor | 13 | $57,500 | Whisper Hill Farm |
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| retired{{efn|Capo Kane was retired after sustaining an injury prior to the Wood Memorial}} | Capo Kane | 12 | $115,500 | Harold Wyner | Bing Cherry Racing & Leonard Liberto |
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| | Papetu | 11 | $68,425 | Antonio Sano | Magic Stables |
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| | Moonlite Strike | 11 | $42,500 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Sonata Stable |
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| Hard Rye Guy | 11 | $14,100 | Bourbon Lane Stable |
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| | Risk Taking | 10 | $155,500 |
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| | Sittin On Go | 10 | $145,800 | Albaugh Family Stables |
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| Taheru Pegasus (JPN) | 10 | $127,121 | Yukihiro Kato | Yasuhiko Mori |
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| | Candy Man Rocket | 10 | $120,000 | Frank Fletcher Racing Operations |
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| 20{{efn|Brooklyn Strong's connections were originally planning to bypass the race but decided to add him to the also eligible list on April 24}} | Brooklyn Strong | 10 | $112,500 | Daniel Velazquez | Mark Schwartz |
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| injured | Big Lake | 10 | $100,000 | Mike G. Rutherford |
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| | Hush of a Storm | 10 | $47,710 | William Morey | Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust |
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| | Defunded | 10 | $45,000 | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael Pegram & Paul Weitman |
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| | Tarantino | 9 | $74,650 | Rodolphe Brisset | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farms & R. Masterson |
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| | Roman Centurian | 9 | $38,000 | Alberto Stable & Qatar Racing |
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| bypassing | Cowan | 8 | $620,477 | William & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Madaket Stables & Spendthrift Farm |
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| bypassing | Freedom Fighter | 5 | $58,000 | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm & Robert Masterson |
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| Reinvestment Risk | 4 | $120,000 |
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| not nominated{{efn|Javanica is a filly that is not nominated for the Kentucky Derby{{cite news|title=Rombauer Rallies From Last to Win El Camino Real Derby |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246202/rombauer-rallies-from-last-to-win-el-camino-real-derby |last=King |first=Byron |date=13 February 2021 |accessdate=14 February 2021}} }} | Javanica | 4 | $70,801 |
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| Ten for Ten | 4 | $50,000 | Courtlandt Farms |
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| bypassing | Overtook | 4 | $50,000 | Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor |
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| | The Great One | 4 | $47,000 | ERJ Racing, Train Wreck Al Racing, Niall Brennan, Tom Fritz & William Strauss |
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| bypassing | Starrininmydreams | 4 | $44,000 | Stewart Racing Stable & WinStar Farm |
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| | Smiley Sobotka | 4 | $40,400 | Albaugh Family Stable |
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| Eagle Orb | 4 | $40,000 | Rudy Rodriguez | E.V. Racing Stable |
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| | Gretzky the Great | 2 | $223,621 | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber |
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| bypassing{{efn|Arabian Prince's connections have decided to bypass the Kentucky Derby}} | Arabian Prince | 2 | $28,063 | West Point Thoroughbreds & William Sandbrook |
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| | Waspirant | 2 | $26,000 | Martin J. & Pam Wygod and Lessee |
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| | Petruchio | 2 | $24,450 | Perry R. Bass II & Ramona S. Bass |
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| bypassing{{efn|Prime Factor's connections have decided to bypass the Kentucky Derby}} | Prime Factor | 2 | $22,200 |
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| Hold the Salsa | 2 | $19,125 | Richard J. Lugovich | Richard J. Lugovich |
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| Swill | 2 | $18,600 | Brad H. Cox | Kueber Racing & Ten Strike Racing |
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| Big Thorn | 2 | $16,000 | Alex & Ann Lieblong |
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| | Parnelli | 2 | $14,500 | C R K Stables |
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| Govenor's Party | 2 | $12,500 | Daniel Franko | Daniel Franko |
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| Pickin' Time | 1 | $157,925 | John Bowers Jr. |
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| | Red Flag | 1 | $84,000 | Jerome S. & Tina Moss |
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| Therideofalifetime | 1 | $39,500 | Ignacio Correas, IV | Stephen L. Fidel |
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| Woodhouse | 1 | $37,500 | C. R. Trout | Samuel F. Henderson |
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| It's My House | 1 | $36,760 | Jamey Thomas | Doug Gans, Gary Jacobs, Larry M. Katz & Kevin Riggs |
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| Boca Boy | 1 | $24,400 | Cheryl Winebaugh | Kenneth E. Fishbein |
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| Civil War | 1 | $20,875 | Mark T. Anderson |
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| Upstriker | 1 | $20,833 | Ron Moquett | William S. Sparks, Brereton C. Jones & Robert V. LaPenta |
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| bypassing | Santa Cruiser | 1 | $19,500 |
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| Royal Number | 1 | $15,000 | Larry R. Johnson, R. D. M. Racing Stable & Michael J. Trombetta |
{{refbegin}}
Legend:
Winner of Kentucky Derby in bold
{{Legend inline|LightCyan |Entered in the Derby }}
{{Legend inline|lightgrey |Injured/Bypassing/Inactive/Not nominated}}
{{refend}}
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
|1 mile |align=right|$200,000 |Sep 5 2020 |Sittin On Go |Midnight Bourbon |Super Stock |Therideofalifetime |
| American Pharoah
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$301,000 |Santa Anita |Sep 26 2020 | Get Her Number | Rombauer | Spielberg | Waspirant |
| Breeders' Futurity
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$400,000 |Keeneland |Oct 3 2020 |Essential Quality |Keepmeinmind |Super Stock |Upstriker |
| Champagne
|1 mile |align=right|$250,000 |Belmont |Oct 10 2020 |Jackie's Warrior |Reinvestment Risk |Midnight Bourbon |Civil War |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$2,000,000 |Keeneland |Nov 6 2020 | Essential Quality | Hot Rod Charlie | Keepmeinmind | Jackie's Warrior |
| Kentucky Jockey Club
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Churchill Downs |Nov 28 2020 | Keepmeinmind | Smiley Sobotka | Arabian Prince | Swill |
| Remsen
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$145,500 |Aqueduct |Dec 5 2020 | Brooklyn Strong | Ten for Ten | Known Agenda | Pickin' Time |
| Springboard Mile
|1 mile |align=right|$200,000 |Remington |Dec 18 2020 | Senor Buscador{{efn|name=Springboard|Horses that ran with medication (Lasix) do not receive any points towards qualification. Senor Buscador, Red N Wild and Saffa's Day received no points from the Springboard Mile.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/245566/new-lasix-rule-impacts-2021-road-to-the-kentucky-derby |title=New Lasix Rule Impacts 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby |first=Gregory A. |last=Hall |date= 8 January 2021 |accessdate=15 January 2021 |work=BloodHorse.com}}}} | Cowan | Red N Wild{{efn|name=Springboard}} | Saffa's Day{{efn|name=Springboard}} |
| Los Alamitos Futurity
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,500 |Los Alamitos |Dec 19 2020 | Spielberg | The Great One | Petruchio | Red Flag |
| Jerome
|1 mile |align=right|$145,500 |Aqueduct |Jan 1 2021 | Capo Kane | Eagle Orb | Hold the Salsa | Swill |
| Sham
|1 mile |align=right|$100,000 |Santa Anita |Jan 2 2021 | Life Is Good | Medina Spirit | Parnelli | Waspirant |
| Lecomte
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Fair Grounds |Jan 16 2021 | Midnight Bourbon | Proxy | Mandaloun | Santa Cruiser |
| Smarty Jones
|1 mile |align=right|$150,000 |Oaklawn |Jan 22 2021 | Caddo River | Cowan | Big Thorn | Moonlight Strike |
| Holy Bull
|1 mile |align=right|$350,000 |Gulfstream |Jan 30 2021 | Greatest Honour | Tarantino | Prime Factor | Papetu |
| Robert B. Lewis
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$100,500 |Santa Anita |Jan 30 2021 | Medina Spirit | Roman Centurian | Hot Rod Charlie | Spielberg |
| Withers
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$250,000 |Aqueduct |Feb 6 2021 | Risk Taking | Overtook | Capo Kane | Royal Number |
| Sam F. Davis Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$200,000 |Tampa Bay |Feb 6 2021 | Candy Man Rocket | Nova Rags | Hidden Stash | Boca Boy |
| El Camino Real Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$101,350 |Golden Gate |Feb 13 2021 | Rombauer | Javanica | Govenor's Party | It's My House |
| John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$82,830 |Turfway |Feb 26 2021 | Hush of a Storm | Like the King | Gretzky the Great | Hard Rye Guy |
| Southwest
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$750,000 |Oaklawn |Feb 27 2021{{efn|The Southwest Stakes was originally scheduled for Presidents' Day, 15 February 2021 but was moved to the following Saturday due to pending inclement weather.{{cite web |title=Oaklawn Cancels Racing Feb. 13-15 Due to Winter Weather |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246148/oaklawn-cancels-racing-feb-13-15-due-to-winter-weather |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=11 February 2021 |date=10 February 2021}} However, due to the prolonged inclement weather Oaklawn Park postponed the event for another week.{{cite web |title=Southwest, Bayakoa, Razorback Postponed Again |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/246224/southwest-bayakoa-razorback-postponed-again |author=BloodHorse Staff |website=BloodHorse.com |access-date=16 February 2021 |date=15 February 2021}}}} | Essential Quality | Spielberg | Jackie's Warrior | Woodhouse |
Championship series events
= First leg of series=
Note: 1st=50 points; 2nd=20 points; 3rd=10 points; 4th=5 points
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!Race !Distance !Purse !Grade !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Risen Star
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$400,000 |2 |Fair Grounds |Feb 13 2021 | Mandaloun | Proxy | Midnight Bourbon | O Besos |
| Fountain of Youth
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$300,000 |2 |Gulfstream |Feb 27 2021 | Greatest Honour | Drain the Clock | Papetu | Tarantino |
| Tampa Bay Derby
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$350,000 |2 |Tampa Bay |Mar 6 2021 | Helium | Hidden Stash | Moonlight Strike | Unbridled Honor |
| Gotham
|1 mile |align=right|$300,000 |3 |Aqueduct |Mar 6 2021 | Weyburn | Crowded Trade | Highly Motivated | Freedom Fighter |
| San Felipe
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$301,000 |2 |Santa Anita |Mar 6 2021 | Life Is Good | Medina Spirit | Dream Shake | Roman Centurian |
| Rebel
|{{frac|1|1|16}} miles |align=right|$1,000,000 |2 |Oaklawn |Mar 13 2021 | Concert Tour | Hozier | Big Lake | Super Stock |
| Sunland Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=right|$700,000 |3 |Sunland Park |Mar 30 2021 |colspan=5 align=center| Cancelled{{efn|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the New Mexico racing regulator cancelled the Sunland Park meeting for 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/v246285/new-mexico-regulator-officially-cancels-sunland-meet |title=New Mexico Regulator Officially Cancels Sunland Meet |date=19 February 2021 |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. Note: 1st=100 points; 2nd=40 points; 3rd=20 points; 4th=10 points
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Purse !Grade !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Louisiana Derby
|{{frac|1|3|16}} miles |$1,000,000 |2 |Fair Grounds |Mar 20 2021 | Hot Rod Charlie | Midnight Bourbon | O Besos | Proxy |
| UAE Derby
|1,900 metres |$2,000,000 |2 |Mar 27 2021 |Panadol |New Treasure (IRE) |Takeru Pegasus (JPN) |
| Jeff Ruby Steaks
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$243,325 |3 |Turfway |Mar 27 2021 | Like The King | Sainthood | Hockey Dad | Hard Rye Guy |
| Florida Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$770,000 |1 |Gulfstream |Mar 27 2021 | Known Agenda | Soup and Sandwich | Greatest Honour | Nova Rags |
| Blue Grass Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$800,000 |2 |Keeneland |Apr 3 2021 |Essential Quality |Highly Motivated |Rombauer |Hidden Stash |
| Santa Anita Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$752,000 |1 |Santa Anita |Apr 3 2021 |Rock Your World |Medina Spirit |Dream Shake |Defunded |
| Wood Memorial
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |$750,000 |2 |Aqueduct |Apr 3 2021 |Bourbonic |Dynamic One |Crowded Trade |Weyburn |
| Arkansas Derby
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles | $1,000,000 |1 | Oaklawn Park | Apr 10 2021 | Super Stock | Caddo River | Concert Tour | Get Her Number |
="Wild Card" event=
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 |
| Lexington Stakes
|{{frac|1|1|8}} miles | $200,000 |Keeneland | Apr 10 2021 | King Fury | Unbridled Honor | Starrininmydreams | Proxy |
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.
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Cattleya Sho
| 1,600 metres |Nov 28 2020 | Lemon Pop | Takeru Pegasus | Plus Ultra | Shin Yomoginesu |
| Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
| 1,600 metres | Dec 16 2020 | Alain Barows | Ranryo O | Luce d'Oro | Taisei Again |
| Hyacinth
| 1,600 metres |Tokyo Racecourse | Feb 21 2021 | La Perouse | Probatio | Ladybug | Takeru Pegasus |
| Fukuryu
| 1,800 metres | Mar 27 2021 |God Selection |Meisho Murakumo |Gold Higher |Taisei Again |
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
Fukuyru : 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.[https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/triple-crown/road-to-the-kentucky-derby/2021 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Standings]
| class="wikitable"
!Rank !Horse !Points !Eligible !Trainer !Owner !Ref |
| bgcolor="tan"
|1 |God Selection |40 |$309,883 |Teiichi Konno | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|2 |La Perouse |30 |$264,868 | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|3 |Alain Barows |20 |$781,045 |Masato Hayashi | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|4 |Meisho Murakumo |16 |$218,390 |Yusuke Wada | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|5 |Probatio |12 |$192,317 |Tsuyoshi Tanaka | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|6 |Lemon Pop |10 |$223,757 |Hiroyasu Tanaka | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|7 |Ranryo O |8 |$464,673 |Satoshi Kokubo | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|8 |Gold Higher |8 |$206,298 |Ryuji Okubo | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Takeru Pegasus |7 |$202,970 |Yukhiro Kato | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|10 |Taisei Again |6 |$230,033 |Takeshi Matsushita | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|11 |Ladybug |6 |$179,923 |Yoshihito Kitade | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|12 |Luce d'Oro |4 |$308,574 |Yutaka Takahashi | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|13 |Plus Ultra |2 |$155,794 |Takahisa Tezuka | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Shin Yomoginesu |1 |$105,547 |Keizo Ito | |
Notes:
- brown highlight – qualified
- 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 neither of the top four accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the horses on the main road to the Derby.
The series consists of seven races – four run on the turf in late 2020 when the horses are age two, plus three races run on a synthetic surface in early 2021.
| class="wikitable"
!Race !Distance !Track !Date !1st !2nd !3rd !4th !Ref |
| Royal Lodge Stakes
| 1 mile | Sep 26 2020 | New Mandate | Ontario | Cobh | Gear Up |
| Beresford Stakes
| 1 mile | Sep 26 2020 | High Definition | Monaasib | Snapraeterea | Sir Lucan |
| Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère
| 1,600 metres | Oct 4 2020 | Nando Parrado | Laws Of Indices | Libertine |
| Vertem Futurity Trophy
| 1 mile | Oct 24 2020 | One Ruler | Baradar | Cobh |
| Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes
| 1 mile | Mar 3 2021 | Highland Avenue | Sergeant Tibbs | Oo De Lally | Bodroy |
| Patton Stakes
| 1 mile | Dundalk | Mar 5 2021 | My Generation | Rocky Sky | Messidor | Rebel Step |
| Cardinal Stakes
| 1 mile | Apr 1 2021 | Fundamental | Qaader | Moraaheq | Quintillus |
Note:
- the four races in 2020 for two-year-olds: 1st=10 points; 2nd=4 points; 3rd=2 points; 4th=1 point
- the first two races in 2021: 1st=20 points; 2nd=8 points; 3rd=4 points; 4th=2 points
- The Cardinal Condition 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 |Fundamental |30 |$0 | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|2 |My Generation |20 |$26,490 | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|3 |Highland Avenue |20 |$0 | |
| bgcolor="tan"
|4 |Qaader |12 |$26,568 | |
| bgcolor="lightgrey"
|5 |10 |$235,281 |Frederic Rossi |Le Haras de La Gousserie & Guy Pariente |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|6 |10 |$232,127 |Jackie Bolger |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|7 |New Mandate |10 |$90,436 | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|8 |High Definition |10 |$55,830 | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|9 |Rocky Sky |8 |$8,531 |Ross O'Sullivan | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|10 |Sergeant Tibbs |8 |$0 |Robyn Brisland | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|11 |Moraaheq |6 |$0 | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|12 |Nando Parrado |4 |$164,769 |Clive Cox | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|13 |One Ruler |4 |$101,005 |Charlie Appleby | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|14 |Ontario |4 |$49,261 |Aidan O'Brien | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|15 |Monaasib |4 |$17,680 |Kevin Prendergast | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|16 |Messidor |4 |$4,041 |Joseph O'Brien | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|17 |Oo De Lally |4 |$0 | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|18 |Cobh |3 |$52,500 |Clive Cox | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|19 |Quintillus |3 |$0 |Charlie Appleby | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|20 |Laws of Indices |2 |$95,500 |Ken Condon | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|21 |Baradar |2 |$31,380 |Roger Varian | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|22 |Snapraeterea |2 |$24,574 |Joseph O'Brien | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|23 |Rebel Step |2 |$1,796 |Andrew Slattery | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|24 |Bodroy |2 |$0 |John Butler | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|25 |1 |$138,515 |Mark Johnston |Teme Valley 2 |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|26 |Libertine |1 |$25,155 |Fabrice Vermeulen | |
| bgcolor="lightgray"
|27 |Sir Lucan |1 |$3,722 |Aidan O'Brien | |
Notes:
- brown highlight – qualified
- grey highlight – did not qualify
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Kentucky Derby}}
{{Road to the Kentucky Derby}}