Ultimate Road to the Kentucky Derby Racing Guide
Nov 20, 2023
Ultimate Racing Guide for the 150th Kentucky Derby
Finding a horse to follow on the Road to the Kentucky Derby could be overwhelming for some. With typically over 21,000 Thoroughbreds hoping to earn their way into the top 20 contenders for starting in the first Saturday in May, we have compiled all the information you could want for learning about who to cheer on! Expert picks, analysis, insider news and more can be found listed below. Bookmark this helpful page to find regular updates and added information over time.
- Quick Reference Index; jump to a specific section
Before they were Derby contenders, they were foals ready to prove themselves. Tales from the Crib by Kellie Reilly highlights the beginning steps of our Derby field.
Kentucky Derby Features
- What do Rachel Alexandra, Man o' War and Big Exchange Have In Common?
- What type of horses run in the Kentucky Derby?
- Horsepower in the Bluegrass: The Economic Impact of Horse Racing
- How Kentucky Derby betting traditions have changed over time since 1875
- Food Flashback: What foods did horse racing offer 65 years ago?
- Best horses to enter the Kentucky Derby undefeated and lose
- Surprise in the Sun: Chateaugay and the 1963 Kentucky Derby
- The Upset Heard Around the Racing World: Dark Star and the 1953 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Handicapping Education
- Betting Smarter: Ashley Anderson’s 3 tips for betting your first Pick 3
- Betting Smarter: Ashley Anderson’s 3 tips for betting your first exacta exotic bet
- Betting Smarter: 4 lessons from 4 years of working in horse racing
- Betting Smarter: Ashley Anderson’s favorite tips for betting horse racing
- Betting Smarter: Ashley Anderson’s five tips for your first time betting horse racing
KENTUCKY DERBY PREP SEASON (2023-2024)
| IROQUOIS September 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
JEROME January 2024 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| CHAMPAGNE October 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
SHAM January 2024 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| AMERICAN PHAROAH October 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
LECOMTE January 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| BREEDERS' FUTURITY October 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
SOUTHWEST January 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE November 2023 Points 30–12–9–6-3 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
HOLY BULL February 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB November 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
ROBERT B. LEWIS February 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| REMSEN December 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
WITHERS February 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| LOS ALAMITOS FUTURITY December 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
SAM F. DAVIS February 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| SPRINGBOARD MILE December 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
EL CAMINO REAL DERBY February 2024 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| GUN RUNNER December 2023 Points 10-4-3-2-1Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL March 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
| SMARTY JONES January 2024 Points 10-4-3-2-1 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile |
KENTUCKY DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (2023-2024)
| RISEN STAR February 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
JEFF RUBY STEAKS March 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| REBEL February 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
SUNLAND DERBY March 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH March 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
FLORIDA DERBY April 2024 Points 100-40-30–20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| GOTHAM March 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
ARKANSAS DERBY April 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| SAN FELIPE March 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
WOOD MEMORIAL April 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| TAMPA BAY DERBY March 2024 Points 50-20-15-10-5 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
BLUE GRASS April 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| UAE DERBY March 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
SANTA ANITA DERBY April 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10 Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
| LOUISIANA DERBY March 2024 Points 100-40-30-20-10Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
LEXINGTON April 2024 Points 20-8-6-4-2Race Preview Study Guide Expert Pick Race Recap Video Replay Race Profile Winning Horse Profile Takeaways from the race |
Full schedule for the 2023-2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby to release in the fall.
KENTUCKY DERBY STATS AND NUMBERS
Road to the Kentucky Derby Top 20 Point Earners
| Rank | Horse | Points | Owner(s) | Trainer | Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings |
| 1 | Forte | 190 | Repole Stable (Mike Repole) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola) | Todd Pletcher | $2,359,730 |
| 2 | Practical Move | 160 | Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy & Roger K. Beasley | Tim Yakteen | $822,000 |
| 3 | Angel of Empire | 154 | Albaugh Family Stables LLC (Dennis Albaugh) | Brad Cox | $1,026,375 |
| 4 | Tapit Trice | 150 | Whisper Hill Farm (Amanda Pope) & Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck) | Todd Pletcher | $783,500 |
| 5 | Two Phil’s | 123 | Patricia’s Hope LLC (Vince Foglia) & Phillip Sagan | Larry Rivelli | $643,850 |
| 6 | Lord Miles | 105 | Vegso Racing Stable | Saffie Joseph Jr. | $427,100 |
| 7 | Derma Sotogake (JPN) | 100 | Hiroyuki Asanuma | Hidetaka Otonashi | $1,112,319 |
| 8 | Kingsbarns | 100 | Spendthrift Farm LLC (Eric P. Gustavason) | Todd Pletcher | $600,000 |
| 9 | Raise Cain | 64 | Andrew N. Warren & Rania Warren | Ben Colebrook | $232,500 |
| 10 | Rocket Can | 60 | Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. | Bill Mott | $284,025 |
| 11 | Hit Show | 60 | Gary & Mary West | Brad Cox | $277,500 |
| 12 | Confidence Game | 57 | Don’t Tell My Wife Stables (Kirk Godby) | Keith Desormeaux | $610,480 |
| 13 | Verifying | 54 | Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg Limited (Michael Kussner), et al. | Brad Cox | $369,750 |
| 14 | Sun Thunder | 54 | R.T Racing Stable (Ramon Tallaj) & Cypress Creek Equine (Kevin Moody) | Kenny McPeek | $181,500 |
| 15 | Mage | 50 | OGMA Investments LLC, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing LLC & CMNWLTH | Gustavo Delgado | $205,200 |
| 16 | Disarm | 46 | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell) | Steve Asmussen | $237,500 |
| 17 | Reincarnate | 45 | SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf), et al | Tim Yakteen | $263,250 |
| 18 | Jace’s Road | 45 | West Point Thoroughbreds (Terry Finley) & Albaugh Family Stables LLC (Dennis Albaugh) | Brad Cox | $200,350 |
| 19 | Skinner | 45 | C R K Stable LLC (Lee & Susan Searing) | John Shirreffs | $174,500 |
| 20 | Continuar (JPN) | Japan Invite | Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd. | Yoshito Yahagi | $289,954 |
Full listing of Kentucky Derby point standing updates PDF library
Kentucky Derby prep winners by speed rating Ordered by highest earned speed rating of prep races won
| Rank | Winner | Speed Rating | Class Rating |
| 1 | Two Phil's | 107 | 120.5 |
| 2 | Practical Move | 105 | 119.2 |
| 3 | Forte | 103 | 122.6 |
| 4 | First Mission | 103 | 119.8 |
| 5 | Tapit Trice | 102 | 120.7 |
| 6 | Angel of Empire | 101 | 119.6 |
| 7 | Dubyuhnell | 100 | 121.5 |
| 8 | Lord Miles | 99 | 120.7 |
| 9 | Reincarnate | 98 | 119.9 |
| 10 | Kingsbarns | 98 | 120 |
| 11 | Arabian Knight | 97 | 120.5 |
| 12 | Jace's Road | 96 | 118.7 |
| 13 | Instant Coffee | 96 | 120.8 |
| 14 | Hit Show | 96 | 123.9 |
| 15 | Wild On Ice | 96 | 117.4 |
| 16 | Confidence Game | 95 | 119.8 |
| 17 | Lugan Knight | 94 | 120.2 |
| 18 | Congruent | 94 | 117.6 |
| 19 | Rocket Can | 93 | 119.9 |
| 20 | Wildatlanticstorm | 92 | 120.5 |
KENTUCKY DERBY & OAKS NEWS
Kentucky Derby Future Wager coverage by TwinSpires.com
- Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fierceness
- Fierceness popular in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
- Fierceness installed at 15-1 in Pool 2 of 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
- Racing Roundtable: Pool 1 of KDFW, first-crop sires, and top turf female
- Betting begins on Pool 1 of 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
European and Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Coverage
- Bold Act takes Cardinal Conditions; Brave Emperor tops European Road
- European Road: Brave Emperor bids for Derby berth in Cardinal Conditions
- Mitono O wires Fukuryu in conclusion to Japan Road
- Japan Road invitation up for grabs in Fukuryu Stakes finale
- Brave Emperor all heart in Road to Kentucky Derby Conditions race at Kempton
- European Road to the Kentucky Derby continues at Kempton
- Cairo gets job done in Patton Stakes, eyes UAE Derby
- European Road: Cairo returns in Patton Stakes
- Perriere takes command of Japan Road in Hyacinth
- Japan Road: Perriere among Triple Crown nominees in Hyacinth
- Top 12 Japanese-based nominees to the 2023 Triple Crown
- Derma Sotogake moves to head of Japan Derby Road table
- Japan Road: 14 contenders set for Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
- Japan Road: Continuar set to travel after capturing Cattleya
- Cattleya Stakes kicks off Japan Road to Kentucky Derby
- Auguste Rodin gives O’Brien record 11th Vertem Futurity Trophy
- Auguste Rodin favored in Vertem Futurity Trophy
- Belbek surprises in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
- European Road: Irish shippers loom large in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
- European Road upsets: The Foxes gets up in Royal Lodge, Crypto Force takes Beresford
Want to back a favorite horse running in a Kentucky Derby prep race? Each of the races found on this page are available for wagering at TwinSpires.com!
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