LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs released a preliminary list of races that could be used for the extension of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve."
The first race in the series, the $150,000 Matt Winn on May 23 at Churchill Downs, will have Top 4 points raised from the previously announced 10-4-2-1 to 50-20-10-5.
“Based on measured interest from horsemen and limited racing opportunities for 3-year-olds across the country, the Matt Winn at the home of the Kentucky Derby appears to be the lone race in May on the national calendar for horsemen to use as a prep to possible important stakes engagements in mid-to-late June,” said Mike Ziegler, Churchill Downs Incorporated’s Executive Director of Racing.
The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby was rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5 after the coronavirus pandemic closed down Churchill Downs and eliminated the chance for fans. The other two legs of the Triple Crown have yet to be rescheduled.
All races are pending agreeable race placement by the host tracks. The following races have also been added:
- East: Haskell (100-40-20-10) and Pegasus (20-8-4-2) at Monmouth Park;
- Midwest: Matt Winn (50-20-10-5); Indiana Derby (20-8-4-2); Blue Grass (100-40-20-10); and Ellis Park Derby (50-20-10-5) and
- West: Santa Anita Derby (100-40-20-10); Los Alamitos Derby (20-8-4-2); and Del Mar’s Shared Belief (50-20-10-5).
The following races have been added to the Road to the Kentucky Oaks:
- East: Delaware Oaks (50-20-10-5) and Monmouth Oaks (50-20-10-5);
- Midwest: Dogwood (20-8-4-2); Indiana Oaks (20-8-4-2); Ashland (100-40-20-10); and Beaumont (20-8-4-2) and
- West: Santa Anita Oaks (100-40-20-10).
Races are subject to change, and events could be added or removed. Additionally, the point values for each race could be readjusted based on their proximity to all Triple Crown races.
“There are a lot of moving parts and there are still a lot of unanswered questions, including who will be running and when," Ziegler said. "This will continue to evolve, including date placement, as host tracks firm up their plans.”
Adjustments will also be made to the European Road to the Kentucky Derby and Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
