Road to the KY Derby ~ who determines entries?
The road to the KY Derby does not start in April. It is longer road than you might imagine, actually as there are many Prep races months ahead to be able to qualify.
There are even prep races held in Japan and Europe for those horses who are able to "Run for the Roses."
The races actually start late Fall the year before . Schedule attached at end of this brief explanation.
In short, all of these horses entered at the Prep Races earn points at each. Top 5 finishers accumulate the tiered points and the top 20 horses with most earned points are entered in the Derby.
Riders UP! here is the link of list and dates of the Prep Races ~
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/prep-races/
December 2023
Los Alamitos Futurity (GII)
December 9, 2023
Los Alamitos • Cypress, CA, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
December 13, 2023
Kawasaki • Kawaski, Japan, JRA
Points: 20-10-6-4-2
Springboard Mile
December 15, 2023
Remington Park • Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
January 2024
schedule and images from the KYDerby.com