There are new Kentucky Derby prep races, including possibly Preakness and Belmont
With the Kentucky Derby pushed back to Sept. 5, Churchill Downs released a new extended list of prep races that will now earn points toward qualifying for the 146th running.
The first race in the extended series will be the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes, scheduled for May 23 at Churchill. Qualifying points have been upgraded to 50 to the winner, followed by 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. “For that reason, we’re pleased to be able to fill the void and raise the significance of the Matt Winn.”
Churchill also announced that if the Grade 1 Preakness and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes are run before the Kentucky Derby, the top four finishers will be awarded points on a scale of 150-60-30-15. Neither of the traditional Triple Crown races have been officially rescheduled. Both normally occur after the Derby, but this is not a normal year.
“We’re in the midst of an unprecedented year, and this year’s Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown will be one of the most memorable of our lifetimes,” Ziegler said. “There are a lot of moving parts and there are still a lot of unanswered questions, including who will be running and when. We’ve had great conversations with our partner racetracks and believe we’ve identified the best extension to a most unique Road to the Kentucky Derby. This will continue to evolve, including date placement, as host tracks firm up their plans.”
And Churchill has the Blue Grass Stakes on its list. Scheduled for April 4, the Blue Grass was scrapped when Keeneland canceled its spring meet. Keeneland officials have been talking to other in-state tracks and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission about adding racing dates, possibly in July.
Here are the races that have been added to the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points list.
▪ 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).
▪ 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).
Churchill says once the New York Racing Association finalizes its stakes schedules, eligible races could be added to the series.
As well, Churchill has made additions to the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” qualifying list:
▪ 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).
▪ West: Santa Anita Oaks (100-40-20-10).
Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- Nadal 150
- Tiz the Law 122
- Wells Bayou 104
- Charlatan 100
- King Guillermo 90
- Ete Indien 74
- Modernist 70
- Authentic 60
- Mr. Monomoy 52
- Basin 50
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 12:23 PM.
