As we previously wrote, it was in 2013 that the Kentucky Derby prep races were officially bundled under the banner of The Road ToThe Kentucky Derby. Otherwise referred to (fondly) as the Derby Trail.
The introduction of the prep series has led to a much easier guideline for both horsemen and horse racing fans. The Derby Trail also allows for more focused promotion of hopefuls targeting the Triple Crown.
Here in America there are two major groups of races that make up the Derby Trail; The first is the Kentucky Derby Prep Season which features 21 races.
Second is the Kentucky Derby Championship Series which offers 16 point-awarding races.
The Prep Season began with the Iroquois Stakes in mid-September and runs through the John Battaglia Memorial in early March, most of the initial prep events award 10-4-3-2-1 points to the first five finishers respectively.
As we said on Wednesday, this year Churchill Downs will start awarding 20-8-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers at select Prep races.
Listed below is the 2022-23 Kentucky Derby Prep Season schedule.
Date
Race
track
Points
Sep 17, 2022
Iroquois
Churchill Downs| 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Oct 1, 2022
Champagne
Aqueduct | 1 Mile
10-4-3-2-1
Oct 8, 2022
Breeders’ Futurity
Keeneland | 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Oct 8, 2022
American Pharoah
Santa Anita | 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Nov 4, 2022
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Keeneland | 1 1/16 Miles
30-12-9-6-3
Nov 26, 2022
Kentucky Jockey Club
Churchill Downs | 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Dec 3, 2022
Remsen
Aqueduct | 1 1/8 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Dec 17, 2022
Los Alamitos Futurity
Los Alamitos | 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Dec 17, 2022
Springboard Mile
Remington Park| 1 Mile
10-4-3-2-1
Dec 26, 2022
Gun Runner
Fair Grounds | 1 1/16 Miles
10-4-3-2-1
Jan 1, 2023
Smarty Jones
Oaklawn Park | 1 Mile
10-4-3-2-1
Jan 7, 2023
Jerome
Aqueduct | 1 Mile
10-4-3-2-1
Jan 8, 2023
Sham Stakes
Santa Anita | 1 Mile
10-4-3-2-1
Jan 21, 2023
Lecomte
Fair Grounds | 1 1/16 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Jan 28, 2023
Southwest
Oaklawn Park | 1 1/16 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Feb 4, 2023
Holy Bull
Gulfstream Park | 1 1/16 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Feb 4, 2023
Withers
Aqueduct | 1 1/8 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Feb 4, 2023
Robert B. Lewis
Santa Anita | 1 1/16 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Feb 11, 2023
Sam F. Davis
Tampa Bay Downs | 1 1/16 Miles
20-8-6-4-2
Feb 11, 2023
El Camino Real Derby
Golden Gate Fields| 1 1/8 Miles (AW)
10-4-3-2-1
Mar 4, 2023
John Battaglia Memorial
Turfway Park | 1 1/16 Miles (AW)
20-8-6-4-2
Next week we will take a look at the ChampionshipPrep schedule, where the stakes get higher in both purses and points.
Until then, best of luck if you play the Jerome and/or the Sham Stakes this weekend.
