Don’t get all worked up over the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Being among the top point earners is not always a recipe for victory in the Run for the Roses.
In 2024, Mystik Dan (18-1) finished 17th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and won the race in a three-horse photo over Fierceness, who finished with Forever Young, the Japan points leader, in third.
In 2023, Mage (15-1) finished 16th on the leaderboard and won the Kentucky Derby over Two Phil’s (fifth) and Angel of Empire (third). Top point-getter Forte was scratched the day before the race.
In 2022, incredibly, Rich Strike, who was also eligible and 24th on the leaderboard, entered the race the day before and won at 80-1 odds. Points leader Epicenter was second, and points runner-up Zandon was third.
Now, we move on to the 151st Derby on May 3. Though the Lexington Stakes (G3) remains a final prep on Saturday, the leaderboard will not be affected.
On Tuesday, Burnham Square, East Avenue, and River Thames ran 1-2-3 in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. All three earned enough points to claim spots in the Kentucky Derby field. Burnham Square (100 points for the win) finished first on the leaderboard with 130 points. East Avenue picked up 50 points and finished 13th, and River Thames is at 50 points for 16th.
So, while Burnham Road, as well as Tappan Street (Florida Derby winner), Rodriguez (Wood Memorial winner), Journalism (Santa Anita Derby winner), Sandman (Arkansas Derby winner), and Tiztastic (Louisiana Derby winner) all won their final preps and moved to the top tier on the leaderboard, horseplayers may want to look deeper to pick their Kentucky Derby horse.
For now, three runners from Japan earned automatic berths in the field through the Euro-Mideast and Japan roads to the Derby. Admiral Daytona and Heart of Honor ran 1-2 in the UAE Derby (G2), and Luxor Cafe finished first in Japan’s road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Final decisions are pending for several horses, including Heart of Honor and Flood Zone (17th). Owen Almighty is out of Derby consideration despite qualifying at No. 12, allowing Flying Mohawk to get into the field.
The next defection would allow Grande to move into the field.
Although Citizen Bull finished fourth of five in the Santa Anita Derby, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and 2-year-old champion, as well as Wood winner Rodriguez, give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert two chances to win what would be a record-setting seventh Derby.
Baffert returns to the Derby after a three-year suspension issued by Churchill Downs after the trainer’s Medina Spirit finished first in the 2021 Derby but was later disqualified due to a race-day medication violation.
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.
