Road to the Kentucky Derby Contenders
To earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, horses will need to earn points in the designated Road to the Derby races.
Mystik Dan draped in the garland of roses (Photo by Horsephotos/Getty Images)
What is the Road to the Kentucky Derby?
The Road to the Kentucky Derby, sponsored by Woodford Reserve, is a series of races where the top five horses in each race earn points. The 18 horses with the most points will get a spot in the starting gate for the 151st Kentucky Derby, which will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
There are three paths to the Kentucky Derby: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. The Derby prep races start in September and go through mid-April. These races are split into two parts: the Prep Season and the Championship Series. Horses earn points for finishing in the top five, and the Championship Series races give the most points. The horses with the most points, or those who win their international series, will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
2024–2025 Horse Leaderboard
- American
- European - Middle East
- Japan
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RANKHORSEOWNERTRAINERJOCKEYTOTAL POINTS
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1
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, B
Bob Baffert
Garcia, Martin
40
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OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, B
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Garcia, Martin
BREEDER Robert Low & Lawana Low
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $1,256,000
-
OWNER Silverton Hill Partnership
TRAINER Jessica Harrington
BREEDER Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) LTD (GB)
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $298,904
-
OWNER Shiraishi Asuka
TRAINER Koichi Shintani
JOCKEY Atsuya Nishimura
SEX Colt
-
2
Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul
Bob Baffert
Prat, Flavien
18
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OWNER Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $544,000
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3
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Bob Baffert
Hernandez, Juan J.
16
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OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.
BREEDER Blue Heaven Farm & Curlin Syndicate
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $308,000
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OWNER Rigney Racing LLC
TRAINER Philip A. Bauer
JOCKEY Rosario, Joel
BREEDER Susan L Anderson Racing LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $213,530
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OWNER Hiroyuki Yoshioka
TRAINER Keizo Ito
JOCKEY T. Yokoyama
BREEDER Grand Stud Japan
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $149,369
-
OWNER The Gredley Family
TRAINER James Owen
BREEDER Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs (GB)
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $181,305
-
OWNER Flanagan Racing
TRAINER Chad C. Brown
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER Rigney Racing, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $480,000
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OWNER Godolphin
TRAINER Brendan P. Walsh
JOCKEY Gaffalione, Tyler
BREEDER Godolphin
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $368,750
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OWNER Godolphin, LLC
TRAINER Eoin G. Harty
JOCKEY Saez, Luis
BREEDER Godolphin
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $338,671
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OWNER Norman Stables LLC
TRAINER Lonnie Briley
JOCKEY Vargas, Juan P.
BREEDER Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $288,250
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3
Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Peter M. Brant
Aidan O’Brien
10
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OWNER Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Peter M. Brant
TRAINER Aidan O’Brien
EARNINGS $275,403
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OWNER Godolphin, LLC
TRAINER Eoin G. Harty
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER Godolphin
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $137,500
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10
Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and LaPenta, Robert V.
Michael W. McCarthy
Rispoli, Umberto
10
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OWNER Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and LaPenta, Robert V.
TRAINER Michael W. McCarthy
JOCKEY Rispoli, Umberto
BREEDER Don Alberto Corporation
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $120,000
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OWNER Godolphin
TRAINER William I. Mott
JOCKEY Alvarado, Junior
BREEDER Godolphin
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $119,280
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OWNER Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
TRAINER Wayne M. Catalano
JOCKEY Lanerie, Corey J.
BREEDER Robert Low & Lawana Low
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $60,000
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OWNER Amo Racing USA
TRAINER Adrian Murray
JOCKEY Rispoli, Umberto
BREEDER Lynch Bages LTD & Camas Park Stud
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $191,606
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14
Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick
Steven M. Asmussen
Torres, Cristian A.
8
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OWNER Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick
TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen
JOCKEY Torres, Cristian A.
BREEDER Capital Bloodstock
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $665,800
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15
JR Ranch, Marquee Bloodstock, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments, LLC
Gustavo Delgado
Castellano, Javier
8
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OWNER JR Ranch, Marquee Bloodstock, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments, LLC
TRAINER Gustavo Delgado
JOCKEY Castellano, Javier
BREEDER Gentry Stable LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $232,500
-
OWNER Valene Farms LLC
TRAINER Dallas Stewart
JOCKEY Santana Jr., Ricardo
BREEDER Coteau Grove Farms, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $46,238
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-
-
OWNER Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC
TRAINER Brian Lynch
EARNINGS $163,060
-
OWNER Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
TRAINER Aidan O’Brien
EARNINGS $140,710
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OWNER James Bakke, & Gerald Isbister
TRAINER Todd Pletcher
BREEDER Wynnstay Inc., Donna Moore and Jim Richardson
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $100,000
-
OWNER Triton Thoroughbreds LLC
TRAINER Ron Moquett
JOCKEY Bejarano, Rafael
BREEDER Nancy C. Shuford
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $60,000
-
OWNER Three Chimneys Farm LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)
TRAINER Chad C. Brown
JOCKEY Franco, Manuel
BREEDER Three Chimneys Farm, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $59,000
-
OWNER J C Smith
TRAINER Andrew Balding
BREEDER Littleton Stud (GB)
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $43,375
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OWNER Westerberg, Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith
TRAINER Joseph O'Brien
BREEDER Mrs. Ann Marie O'Brien (IRE)
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $24,680
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OWNER Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen
JOCKEY Ortiz, Jose L.
BREEDER Ron Stolich
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $22,505
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-
22
D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables
Mark E. Casse
Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
4
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OWNER D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables
TRAINER Mark E. Casse
JOCKEY Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
BREEDER Lothenbach Stables Inc.
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $164,595
-
23
Baccari Racing Stable LLC, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing
Kenneth G. McPeek
Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
4
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OWNER Baccari Racing Stable LLC, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
BREEDER Green Lantern Stables
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $21,610
-
OWNER R and H Stable
TRAINER Jeremiah C. Englehart
BREEDER Everything's Cricket Racing
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $156,250
-
OWNER Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley
TRAINER Tim Yakteen
BREEDER Clearsky Farms
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay
EARNINGS $96,000
-
OWNER Al Shaqab Racing, Haras d’Etreham & Mustapha Bekhti
TRAINER Mario Baratti
EARNINGS $92,787
-
OWNER Gold Square LLC
TRAINER Chad Summers
JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.
BREEDER Hunter Valley Farm & Oisin Murphy
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay
EARNINGS $59,875
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27
Martin Racing Stable LLC, Gorsky, Bob, Circustown Racing Stables, LLC, D and B Racing, LLC (William Martin, Jr.) and Brown, Luke
W. Bret Calhoun
Alvarez, Jose L.
3
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Martin Racing Stable LLC, Gorsky, Bob, Circustown Racing Stables, LLC, D and B Racing, LLC (William Martin, Jr.) and Brown, Luke
TRAINER W. Bret Calhoun
JOCKEY Alvarez, Jose L.
BREEDER Clark O. Brewster
SEX Gelding
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $48,000
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-
-
OWNER LNJ Foxwoods
TRAINER William I. Mott
JOCKEY Alvarado, Junior
BREEDER LNJ Foxwoods
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $30,000
-
OWNER AMO Racing Limited
TRAINER Ralph Beckett
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $17,225
-
OWNER Juddmonte
TRAINER Andrew Balding
BREEDER Juddomnte Farms LTD (GB)
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $11,688
-
OWNER Tomoya Ozasa
TRAINER D Takayanagi
BREEDER Jeff Prunzik & Melissa Prunzik
-
OWNER David R. Hughes
TRAINER John J. Robb
JOCKEY Perez, Xavier
BREEDER Glenangus Farm LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $247,250
-
OWNER Valene Farms LLC
TRAINER Dallas Stewart
BREEDER Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $109,200
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OWNER The Del Mar Group
TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill
JOCKEY Maldonado, Edwin A.
BREEDER Malibu Farm, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $77,000
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-
OWNER Ben Arbib, Sir Martyn Arbib & Aziz Kheir
TRAINER Paul & Oliver Cole
EARNINGS $15,641
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OWNER Calumet Farm
TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill
JOCKEY Fresu, Antonio
BREEDER Scott Pierce
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $12,500
-
OWNER Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor
TRAINER Aidan O'Brien
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $8,747
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14
Masaaki Matsushima, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor
Aidan O'Brien
2
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Masaaki Matsushima, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor
TRAINER Aidan O'Brien
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $5,196
-
OWNER Albaugh Family Stables LLC
TRAINER Brad H. Cox
JOCKEY Saez, Luis
BREEDER WinStar Farm, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $4,000
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-
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15
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd.
Aidan O’Brien
1
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd.
TRAINER Aidan O’Brien
EARNINGS $247,149
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OWNER Jake Brown
TRAINER Danny Pish
JOCKEY Diaz, Rene
BREEDER David Cobb
SEX Gelding
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $99,000
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OWNER P Hickman & Nicholas Jones
TRAINER Charlie Fellowes
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $44,735
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OWNER Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
TRAINER Aidan O'Brien
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $35,071
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37
Nedlaw Stable, Denholtz Stables, Dennis A. Drazin & Jerold L. Zaro
John Kimmel
1
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OWNER Nedlaw Stable, Denholtz Stables, Dennis A. Drazin & Jerold L. Zaro
TRAINER John Kimmel
BREEDER Deerfield Farm
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $20,000
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OWNER OXO Equine LLC
TRAINER Chad C. Brown
JOCKEY Davis, Dylan
BREEDER Terrazas Thoroughbreds, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $10,000
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OWNER Triple V Racing, LLC
TRAINER Todd Fincher
BREEDER Gary Broad - Walmac Farm, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay
EARNINGS $8,000
-
OWNER BBN Racing LLC
TRAINER Victoria H. Oliver
JOCKEY Concepcion, Axel
BREEDER David Baxter
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $5,820
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41
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Bob Baffert
Kimura, Kazushi
1
BET NOW Learn More OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi
BREEDER Breeze Easy LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $4,000
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OWNER Nice Guys Stables
TRAINER Brittany T. Russell
JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.
BREEDER Three Diamonds Farm
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $2,000
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Fierceness illustrates his laid-back personality (Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farms)
Horse Info to Know
Horse breeds for the Kentucky Derby are Thoroughbred horses and are exclusively bred naturally. The foundation sires for Thoroughbred horses, or founding fathers, are the Darley Arabian (1700), Godolphin Arabian (1724) and Byerly Turk (1679).
No matter when a Thoroughbred horse is born, every Thoroughbred shares the same birthday of January 1st!
Horses can have an affinity to certain track surfaces and conditions. There are horses who thrive on grassy turf and others who may dominate on dirt. In both scenarios, even soft ground versus firm, or sloppy dirt can provide an advantage to horses who may be more comfortable with the changes. Yes, horses will naturally play in water puddles!
Horses who run in the Kentucky Derby are often purchased at horse auctions by their current owners. These sales, such as Keeneland, OBS, or Fasig-Tipton, can conduct horse sales for a specific age or context of the horses; like breeding stock versus two-year-olds in training and mixed age or sex.
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