Ultimate Road to the Kentucky Derby Racing Guide 2020-2021
May 02, 2021
Ultimate Racing Guide for North American Kentucky Derby Prep Races
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.
Full schedule for the 2020-2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby
| Rank | Horse | Points | Owner(s) | Trainer | Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings |
| 1 | Essential Quality | 140 | Godolphin LLC (Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum) | Brad Cox | $2,210,000 |
| 2 | Hot Rod Charlie | 110 | Roadrunner Racing (Greg Helm), Boat Racing LLC (Eric Armagost, et al.) & Strauss Bros Racing (Bill Strauss) | Doug O’Neill | $962,000 |
| 3 | Super Stock | 109 | Erv Woolsey & Keith Asmussen | Steve Asmussen | $709,000 |
| 4 | Like the King | 104 | M Racing Group LLC (Mickey Gonzalez) | Wesley Ward | $161,300 |
| 5 | Known Agenda | 102 | St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola) | Todd Pletcher | $461,100 |
| 6 | Rock Your World | 100 | Hronis Racing LLC (Kosta & Pete Hronis) & David Michael Talla | John Sadler | $510,000 |
| 7 | Bourbonic | 100 | Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley) | Todd Pletcher | $400,000 |
| 8 | Medina Spirit | 74 | Zedan Racing Stables Inc. (Amr F. Zedan) | Bob Baffert | $290,000 |
| 9 | Midnight Bourbon | 66 | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell) | Steve Asmussen | $430,000 |
| 10 | Mandaloun | 52 | Juddmonte Farms Inc. (Prince Fahad bin Khaled) | Brad Cox | $270,000 |
| 11 | Caddo River | 50 | Shortleaf Stable Inc. (John Ed Anthony) | Brad Cox | $320,000 |
| 12 | Highly Motivated | 50 | Klaravich Stables Inc. (Seth Klarman) | Chad Brown | $271,000 |
| 13 | Helium | 50 | D J Stable LLC (Leonard Green) | Mark Casse | $255,492 |
| 14 | Soup and Sandwich | 40 | Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte C. Weber) | Mark Casse | $161,000 |
| 15 | Dynamic One | 40 | Repole Stable (Mike Repole), Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola) | Todd Pletcher | $140,000 |
| 16 | Sainthood | 40 | WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt) & CHC Inc. (Kit Ng) | Todd Pletcher | $47,500 |
| 17 | Hidden Stash | 32 | BBN Racing LLC (Brian Klatsky, Brendan O’Brien & Braxton Lynch) | Vicki Oliver | $130,000 |
| 18 | O Besos | 25 | L. Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing & West Point Thoroughbreds (Terry Finley et al) | Greg Foley | $116,000 |
| 19 | Get Her Number | 20 | Gary Barber | Peter Miller | $242,667 |
| 20 | King Fury | 20 | Fern Circle Stables & Three Chimneys Farm LLC | Kenny McPeek | $207,595 |
Full listing of Kentucky Derby point standing updates PDF library
Ordered by highest earned speed rating of prep races won
| Rank | Horse | Speed Rating | Class Rating |
| 1 | Brooklyn Strong | 107 | 120 |
| 2 | Weyburn | 104 | 120.2 |
| 3 | Greatest Honour | 103 | 121.1 |
| 4 | Life Is Good | 103 | 122.9 |
| 5 | Essential Quality | 102 | 122.2 |
| 6 | Rock Your World | 102 | 122.3 |
| 7 | Jackie's Warrior | 101 | 120.7 |
| 8 | Spielberg | 101 | 117.9 |
| 9 | Known Agenda | 101 | 121.2 |
| 10 | Mandaloun | 100 | 119.3 |
| 11 | Super Stock | 97 | 119.5 |
| 12 | Caddo River | 96 | 123 |
| 13 | Hot Rod Charlie | 96 | 119.6 |
| 14 | Midnight Bourbon | 95 | 118.8 |
| 15 | Concert Tour | 95 | 119.8 |
| 16 | King Fury | 95 | 120.9 |
| 17 | Senor Buscador | 94 | 118.9 |
| 18 | Medina Spirit | 94 | 119.5 |
| 19 | Like the King | 94 | 119.9 |
| 20 | Bourbonic | 94 | 119 |
Last updated April 23, 2021
Road to the Kentucky Derby Reports by James Scully
Return here to find regular installments of the Kentucky Derby Reports
Kentucky Derby Report – Prep races completed
Kentucky Derby Report – Essential Quality displays resolve, Rock Your World adds speed
Kentucky Derby Report – Known Agenda keeps ascending in Florida Derby
Kentucky Derby Report – Hot Rod Charlie boosts his stock
Kentucky Derby Report: Concert Tour breaks out in Rebel
Kentucky Derby Report – Life Is Good makes short work of San Felipe foes
Kentucky Derby Report – Essential Quality stylishly returns, Greatest Honour finds a way to win
Kentucky Derby Report: February to close with three preps
Kentucky Derby Report: Concert Tour among new stakes winners
Kentucky Derby Report: Greatest Honour, Medina Spirit make their mark
Kentucky Derby Report – Smarty Jones catapults Caddo River into spotlight
Kentucky Derby Report – Midnight Bourbon pops for Asmussen
Kentucky Derby Report – Life Is Good passes two-turn test in Sham
Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Champion Essential Quality Made 3-1 Morning Line Favorite in Final Kentucky Derby 147 Future Wager Pool
Champion Essential Quality Made 7-2 Favorite in Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager; Oaks Future Wager Runs Concurrently, Includes Oaks/Derby Future Double
Essential Quality, Life Is Good Made 8-1 Co-Individual Favorites in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
Undefeated Life Is Good Made Early 6-1 Individual Favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Four horses to bet in the first round of Kentucky Derby future wagers
Kentucky Derby roundup: April 12, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks roundup: April 5, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks roundup: March 29, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Mar. 22, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: March 15, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: March 8, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Mar. 1, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Feb. 22, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Feb. 15, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Feb. 8, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Feb. 1, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Jan. 25, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Jan. 18, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Jan. 4, 2021
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Dec. 21, 2020
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Dec. 7, 2020
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Nov. 30, 2020
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: Nov. 24, 2020
European and Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Coverage
Fundamental takes Cardinal in final stop on European Road
Bluebloods clash as European Road culminates in Cardinal Conditions Stakes
God Selection dominates Fukuryu to conclude Japan Road
Fourteen set for Japan Road finale in Fukuryu Stakes
Will the European Road produce a 2021 Kentucky Derby runner?
La Perouse powers to Japan Road leadership in Hyacinth
Takeru Pegasus looks to take flight in Hyacinth
Godolphin, Japan lead international nominees to 2021 Triple Crown
Unbeaten Alain Barows romps in Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
Dualist brings perfect record to Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
Lemon Pop passes first Japan Road to Kentucky Derby test in Cattleya Stakes
Godolphin’s Lemon Pop intrigues in Cattleya Stakes on Japan Road to Kentucky Derby
Mac Swiney slogs to victory in Vertem Futurity Trophy
One Ruler takes on Wembley in Vertem Futurity Trophy
Sealiway romps in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
O’Brien relies on St Mark’s Basilica in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
High Definition, New Mandate kick off 2021 European Road to the Kentucky Derby series with closing victories
European Road to 2021 Kentucky Derby begins with Royal Lodge, 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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