What Is 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby

Overview

The 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a structured qualifying system designed to identify the top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds eligible for the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby. This series spanned from September 2017 through May 2018 and included 36 designated races across North America and the UAE.

Administered by Churchill Downs, the system awarded points to horses based on their finishes in designated prep races, replacing the previous method of selecting entrants based on earnings. The top point-earners secured starting positions in the main field of 20 horses.

• 36 races were part of the 2018 series, divided into two phases: the Prep Season and the Championship Series.
• The Prep Season ran from September to February and awarded 10–4–2–1 points to the top four finishers in each race.
• The Championship Series, held from March to May, awarded 100–40–20–10 points in major prep races like the Florida Derby and Santa Anita Derby.
• Justify, trained by Bob Baffert, entered the Derby undefeated and had not raced as a two-year-old, a rare feat since 1979.
• The final race on the trail was the Arkansas Derby on April 14, 2018, which helped solidify the final rankings.

How It Works

The Road to the Kentucky Derby used a tiered points system to objectively determine qualification, ensuring horses earned their spot through competitive performance rather than owner influence or purse earnings.

• Points System: Horses earned points based on finishing position, with higher stakes races offering more points. The system prioritized recent performance.
• Two Phases: The Prep Season (10–4–2–1) built early rankings, while the Championship Series (100–40–20–10) determined final entries.
• Eligibility: Only 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were eligible, and entries closed after the final qualifying race in mid-April.
• Tiebreakers: In case of point ties, Churchill Downs used earnings in non-restricted stakes races to determine rankings.
• International Races: The UAE Derby in Dubai awarded points, making it the only non-North American race on the trail.
• Field Size: The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 starters, with the highest point-earners filling the main body and also-eligibles as backups.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key prep races on the 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby, highlighting point values, dates, and winners.

These races were critical in shaping the final leaderboard. Justify earned enough points by winning the Santa Anita Derby to secure a top spot, while others like Magnum Moon and Firenze Fire also cemented their entries with strong finishes.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby was significant for reshaping how contenders were selected, emphasizing fairness and competitive merit over financial metrics. It also highlighted the rise of horses like Justify, who defied traditional development patterns.

• Justify’s victory made him the first horse since 1979 to win the Derby without racing as a two-year-old, challenging conventional wisdom.
• The points system increased transparency and reduced subjectivity in entry decisions, benefiting smaller stables.
• International inclusion via the UAE Derby expanded the global reach of American Triple Crown racing.
• Television ratings for prep races increased by 12% compared to 2017, indicating growing fan engagement.
• The structure encouraged deeper competition, with more horses vying for points across diverse race conditions.
• Justify went on to win the Triple Crown, becoming the 13th horse in history to do so, underscoring the trail’s role in identifying elite talent.

The 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby not only produced a historic champion but also validated a modernized qualification system that continues to shape Thoroughbred racing today.