(KY Derby Trophy / Coady Photography)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY DERBY STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that awards points to the Top 4 finishers in each race. The top 18 point earners will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), which is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2022. One invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Europe Road to the Kentucky Presented by Woodford Reserve and one invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters since 1975. At least 20 horses have entered the 1 1⁄4-mile race for 3-year-olds in 20 of the last 23 years and every year from 2004-19.

  1. Epicenter — 164
  2. Zandon — 114
  3. White Abarrio — 112
  4. Mo Donegal — 112
  5. Tiz the Bomb — 110
  6. Cyberknife — 100
  7. Crown Pride — 100
  8. Taiba — 100
  9. Simplification — 74
  10. Smile Happy — 70
  11. Classic Causeway — 66
  12. Tawny Port — 60
  13. Barber Road — 58
  14. Un Ojo — 54
  15. Early Voting — 50
  16. Messier — 40
  17. Zozos — 40
  18. Summer Is Tomorrow — 40
  19. Charge It — 40
  20. Happy Jack — 30
  21. Pioneer of Medina — 25
  22. In Due Time — 24
  23. Ethereal Road — 22
  24. Rich Strike — 21
  25. Rattle N Roll — 20