The Derby Decimal Classifications: May 19
Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Photography)
May 19th, 2020
A by-the-numbers review of the latest news and developments on the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
7
The number of new prep races tentatively added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule, joining postponed renewals of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Blue Grass (G2).
Chief among the new additions is the July 18 Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park, a traditional summer target for the nation’s best 3-year-olds. The 1 1/8-mile race will award 100 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the winner.
A preliminary list of races that could be used for the extension of the Road to the @KentuckyDerby has been announced by @ChurchillDowns pending agreeable race placement by the host tracks.
— Churchill Downs PR (@DerbyMedia) May 12, 2020
Full story: https://t.co/lUsfZvs1eS
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20
The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points up for grabs in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3) at Los Alamitos, the Indiana Derby (G3) at Indiana Grand, and the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park.
The Los Alamitos Derby and the Pegasus have been scheduled for July 4 and Aug. 15, respectively, while the date of the Indiana Derby has yet to be confirmed.
50
The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points available to the winner of Saturday’s Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/16-mile race was originally slated to offer 10 points to the winner, but the prize was quintupled upon further review. The Shared Belief S. at Del Mar and the Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park will also award 50 points to their winners.
First race in extended Road to @KentuckyDerby series, the May 23 Matt Winn @ChurchillDowns, will have Top 4 points raised from the previously announced 10-4-2-1 to 50-20-10-5.
— Churchill Downs PR (@DerbyMedia) May 12, 2020
Unknown
The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races that will be held in New York this summer.
The stakes schedules for Belmont Park and Saratoga remain up in the air. Will the Wood Memorial (G2) be rescheduled or cancelled? Will the historic Travers (G1) shift from its date in late August to an earlier spot on the calendar, allowing it to serve as a Kentucky Derby prep?
On the bright side, the New York Racing Association has received the green light to resume racing June 1, so clarification on the stakes schedule should arrive soon.
Immeasurable
The impact the postponement of the Kentucky Derby has had on the national racing schedule.
The Derby is America’s signature race. Everything builds toward Churchill Downs until the great race is run. Now it seems the entire summer will be one long buildup toward the Run for the Roses.
110
The number of days remaining until the Kentucky Derby.
138
The number of days until the Preakness (G1). The second jewel of the Triple Crown has been officially rescheduled for Oct. 3, four weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
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