The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby has a new race on the schedule and an old trainer back in the running for a record seventh victory in the Run for the Roses.
The $500,000 Virginia Derby at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Colonial Downs is the new race, set for March 14, and will award Derby qualifying points on a sliding scale of 50-25-15-10-5 to the first five finishers.
Bob Baffert’s Return and the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby Schedule
Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer suspended in 2021 by Churchill Downs, had the ban rescinded in July. The six-time Derby winner is eligible to compete in the Derby following a three-year ban. The suspension came after Medina Spirit, who finished first in the ‘21 Derby, tested positive for a race-day overage of a medication and disqualified.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule was released Friday by Churchill Downs. There are two phases leading up to the May 3 Derby: the prep season and the championship season totaling 36 races.
Plus, there’s rebranded Euro/Mideast road to the Derby (seven races, now including the UAE Derby), and the Japan road to the Derby (four races).
The prep season features 20 races beginning with the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3) on Sept. 14 at Churchill Downs.
The point scales for the prep season range from 10-5-3-2-1 in 12 races, 20-10-6-4-2 in seven races, and 30-15-9-6-3 for one race – the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. The races run from Sept. 14-Feb. 22.
The point scales for the 16-race championship season range from 20-10-6-4-2 in two races (Sunland Derby on Feb. 16, Lexington on April 12 – both dates tentative), to 50-25-15-10-5 in seven races and 100-50-25-15-10 in seven races. These races run Feb. 15-April 5.
The biggest Derby qualifying races take place on three dates: March 22 (Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Louisiana Derby (G2); March 29 (Florida Derby (G1), Arkansas Derby (G1); and April 5 (Wood Memorial (G2), Blue Grass (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1).
At the end of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Road to Kentucky Oaks adds Virginia Oaks
The 33-race schedule for the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2 was also released, and the 1 1/16-mile Virginia Oaks on the Virginia Derby undercard is a new points qualifier.
Changes to Euro/Mideast Derby trail includes UAE Derby
The Euro/Mideast road to the Derby now features the UAE Derby on April 5 – a race that was on the American road to the Derby until this year. This series will offer two invitations to the Derby to the top point earners. Also, the Cardinal Condition Stakes at Chelmsford City has been removed from the Oaks series, but the winner will receive an automatic berth in the American Turf on the Derby undercard.
Japan Derby trail remains the same
The Japan road to the Derby has produced six Derby runners since it began in 2017, including 2024 third-place finisher Forever Young, who earned his spot in the field by winning the UAE Derby when it was part of the main road to the Derby schedule.
New rules address small fields
— if a championship series race for the Derby or Oaks is run with a five-horse field, only 75% of the points will be proportionally awarded.
— if a championship series race is run with four or less horses, only 50% of the points will be proportionally awarded.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
