Kentucky Derby Point System and Schedule

The ABR brand ambassadors explain the points system for qualifying for the Kentucky Derby, a system introduced for the 2013 edition of the Derby.

In 2012, the criteria for qualifying for the Kentucky Derby was changed from money earned in graded races to a point system

Officially branded as the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," the new point system features 36 stakes races overall and includes 17 marquee events for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that comprise a compact, 10- week run up to the first Saturday in May to be known as the “Kentucky Derby Championship Series.”

The field for the Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters with points earned in the series races used to determine the field..

The change will be in effect for the 139th running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Check the current point total for all horses here.

Below is outlined the schedule of races that comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

DATE	TITLE	GRADE	DISTANCE	TRACK	POINTS
9/29/12	Juddmonte Royal Lodge	II	1 M	Newmarket	10-4-2-1
9/29/12	Frontrunner	I	1 1/16 M	Santa Anita Park	10-4-2-1
10/6/12	Foxwoods Champagne	I	1 M	Belmont Park	10-4-2-1
10/6/12	Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity	I	1 1/16 M	Keeneland	10-4-2-1
10/7/12	Grey	I	1 1/16 M	Woodbine	10-4-2-1
11/3/12	Grey Goose Juvenile	I	1 1/16 M	Santa Anita Park	10-4-2-1
11/17/12	Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes	III	1 1/16 M	Delta Downs	10-4-2-1
11/24/12	Remsen Stakes	II	1 1/8 M	Aqueduct	10-4-2-1
11/24/12	Kentucky Jockey Club	II	1 1/16 M	Churchill Downs	10-4-2-1
12/15/12	CashCall Futurity	I	1 1/16 M	Hollywood Park	10-4-2-1
1/5/13	Sham	III	1 M	Santa Anita Park	10-4-2-1
1/19/13	Lecomte	III	1M 70 Y	Fair Grounds	10-4-2-1
1/21/13	Smarty Jones		1 M	Oaklawn Park	10-4-2-1
1/26/13	Holy Bull	III	1 1/16 M	Gulfstream Park	10-4-2-1
2/2/13	Robert B. Lewis	II	1 1/16 M	Santa Anita Park	10-4-2-1
2/2/13	Withers	III	1 1/16 M	Aqueduct	10-4-2-1
2/2/13	Sam F. Davis	III	1 1/16 M	Tampa Bay	10-4-2-1
2/16/13	El Camino Real Derby	III	1 1/8 M	Golden Gate	10-4-2-1
2/18/13	Southwest	III	1 1/16 M	Oaklawn Park	10-4-2-1
2/23/13	Fountain of Youth	II	1 1/16 M	Gulfstream Park	50-20-10-5
2/23/13	Risen Star	II	1 1/16 M	Fair Grounds	50-20-10-5
3/2/13	Gotham	III	1 1/16 M	Aqueduct	50-20-10-5
3/9/13	Tampa Bay Derby	II	1 1/16 M	Tampa Bay	50-20-10-5
3/9/13	San Felipe	II	1 1/16 M	Santa Anita Park	50-20-10-5
3/16/13	Rebel	II	1 1/16 M	Oaklawn Park	50-20-10-5
3/23/13	Spiral	III	1 1/8 M	Turfway Park	50-20-10-5
3/24/13	Sunland Derby	III	1 1/8 M	Sunland Park	50-20-10-5
3/30/13	Florida Derby	I	1 1/8 M	Gulfstream Park	100-40-20-10
3/30/13	Louisiana Derby	II	1 1/8 M	Fair Grounds	100-40-20-10
3/30/13	UAE Derby	II	1 3/16 M	Meydan	100-40-20-10
4/6/13	Wood Memorial	I	1 1/8 M	Aqueduct	100-40-20-10
4/6/13	Santa Anita Derby	I	1 1/8 M	Santa Anita Park	100-40-20-10
4/13/13	Arkansas Derby	I	1 1/8 M	Oaklawn Park	100-40-20-10
4/13/13	Blue Grass	I	1 1/8 M	Keeneland	100-40-20-10
4/20/13	Lexington	III	1 1/16 M	Keeneland	20-8-4-2
4/27/13	Derby Trial	III	1 M	Churchill Downs	20-8-4-2