The Derby Decimal Classifications: June 16
Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Photography)
June 16th, 2020
A by-the-numbers review of the latest news and developments on the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
1
The number of races added to the European Road to the Kentucky Derby last week.
The Ballysax (G3), scheduled to be run July 12 in Ireland, will award qualification points on a 30-12-6-3 basis to the top four finishers.
The 1 5/16-mile fixture is normally held over the turf course at Leopardstown, but the 2020 renewal will take place over the all-weather track at Dundalk.
The Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at 1 5/16 miles on the all-weather track at Ireland's Dundalk Racecourse on July 12 has been added to the European Road to the @KentuckyDerby. The points for the top four runners will be 30-12-6-3. Story: https://t.co/ZjRZUCHvHC pic.twitter.com/6Zqn6WHXSQ
— Churchill Downs PR (@DerbyMedia) June 11, 2020
5
The number of days until the Belmont Stakes (G1), which will award 150 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the winner.
Traditionally the third leg of the Triple Crown, schedule shifts related to COVID-19 have left the Belmont as the opening jewel of the three-race series. To compensate, the historic race has been shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles.
7
The margin of victory, in lengths, recorded by first-time starter Uncle Chuck in a 1-mile maiden race Saturday at Santa Anita.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Uncle Chuck overcame a slow start to set the pace and powered clear to finish the distance in 1:36.78 under jockey Mike Smith.
A late nominee to the Triple Crown, Uncle Chuck has given a well-timed boost to Baffert’s stable, following the injuries to Arkansas Derby (G1) winners Charlatan and Nadal.
10
The expected number of days between starts for Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Sole Volante, who recently returned from a three-month layoff to comfortably win a 1-mile optional-claiming allowance June 10 at Gulfstream Park.
The gelded son of Karakontie unleashed a sharp rally to defeat Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Shivaree and Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Ete Indien, among others, and is expected to wheel back in the Belmont Stakes.
82
The number of days until the Kentucky Derby. Not to wish the summer away, but doesn’t it feel like the Derby should be here by now?
122
The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points possessed by Tiz the Law, who sits atop the leaderboard after victories in the Florida Derby (G1), Champagne (G1), and Holy Bull (G3).
The son of Constitution can more than double his total if he prevails in the Belmont Stakes.
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