2022 Kentucky Derby by the numbers
The field rounds the far turn in the 2016 Kentucky Derby (Coady Photography)
May 5th, 2022
A field of 20 horses is set to race in the 148th edition of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2022 at historic Churchill Downs.
To get you ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports, check out these fast facts and figures, as we break down the 2022 Kentucky Derby by the numbers.
1
The number of undefeated horses in the 2022 Kentucky Derby field. With just two career races under his belt, Taiba — trained by Tim Yakteen — has won both, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and a six-furlong maiden special weight sprint. Bob Baffert was Taiba's previous conditioner, before he transferred the chestnut to Yakteen in early March.
1 1/4
The distance of the Kentucky Derby, the Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run on Churchill Downs' dirt track. The mile-and-a-quarter distance is equivalent to 10 furlongs.
2
The number of horses sired by 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Not This Time in the 2022 Kentucky Derby field. Both the projected favorite Epicenter and Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Simplification directly descend from Not This Time, a son of Giant's Causeway, who placed second in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.
3
The number of Todd Pletcher horses that could potentially enter the 20-horse Derby field, including Mo Donegal, Charge It, and Pioneer of Medina, who would gain entry with a late defection. Including Pletcher's first race in 2000, he has saddled a record 59 Kentucky Derby starters and won the event twice with Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017).
Watch one video, get multiple updates. 👍
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 23, 2022
Todd Pletcher talks about how his #KyDerby contenders are looking. @TwinSpires pic.twitter.com/2wuub68LYR
6
The number of post-time favorites who have won the Derby in the last decade. Beginning in 2013, the year the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system was introduced, the post-time favorite won six straight races, starting with Orb (2013) and ending with Justify (2018). In 2019, Improbable went off as the 4-1 favorite and finished fourth. In 2020, heavy favorite Tiz the Law was bested by Authentic and landed in second place, and in 2021, Essential Quality finished third.
6:57
The post time for the 2022 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET. NBC will begin live race-day coverage at 2:30 p.m. ET.
7
The total number of bay-colored colts in the current 20-horse field. More bay horses (56) have won the Derby than any other color. The number of Derby victories by coat color are as follows:
- Bay: 56
- Chestnut: 48
- Brown: 17
- Dark Bay/Brown: 11
- Gray/Roan: 8
- Black: 4
- Dark Bay: 3
8
The record, held by Calumet Farm, for most Kentucky Derby victories by an owner. A win by the Doug O'Neill-trained Happy Jack in the 2022 Derby would give Calumet a ninth victory.
Today’s Triple Crown Winner Spotlight shines on the quirky Whirlaway.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 28, 2020
This Calumet Farm hero was nicknamed “Mr. Longtail”, when Trainer Ben Jones refused to cut his tail in an attempt to keep other horses from rushing up on him in races.
Pretty innovative, right? pic.twitter.com/IDndo9fJ1Q
19
Nineteen Kentucky Derby-winning horses have a name starting with an "S." This year, Simplification, Smile Happy, or Summer Is Tomorrow could add to that total. The last member of the "S" club to win the Derby was Super Saver in 2010.
67
According to the forecast at Weather.com, the high temperature for race day on May 7 will be 67 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 24% chance of rain. The coldest race-day temperature in Derby history is 36 degrees Fahrenheit on May 4, 1940 and May 4, 1957. The hottest race-day temperature was 94 degrees on May 2, 1959.
113
The number of Kentucky Derby winners born in the state of Kentucky, including last year's champ, Mandaloun. A majority of the 2022 Derby field was bred in Kentucky, with the exception of Crown Pride (Japan), Simplification (Florida), Un Ojo (New York), and Messier (Ontario, Canada).
147
The number of times the Kentucky Derby has been run. The event first began in 1875 and is today the longest continuously held major sporting event in America. The Derby has been postponed just twice — in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and in 1945 during World War II.
164
The number of 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points accumulated by Epicenter, the leader in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. Zandon is second with 114 points, followed by White Abarrio and Mo Donegal, with 112 points apiece.
Epicenter winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds (Photo by Lou Hodges, Jr/Hodges Photography)
$3 million
In 2019, the purse for the Kentucky Derby increased from $2 million to $3 million. The winner of the race receives $1.86 million, while the runner-up and third place receive $600,000 and $300,000, respectively. The winning Derby jockey will get 10% of the winner’s purse, or a $186,000 share.
