The Derby Decimal Classifications: May 5

A by-the-numbers review of the latest news and developments on the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

1

The position on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard occupied by Nadal, who romped to a decisive victory in the second division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

After he tracked stiff fractions of :23.08, :46.21, and 1:09.85, Nadal pounced to the front and drew off with authority to win by three lengths.

6

The margin of victory in Charlatan's first-division Arkansas Derby win. Sent straight to the lead by jockey Martin Garcia, Charlatan led by at least two lengths at every point of call and carved out fast fractions of :22.88, :46.08, and 1:09.68.

An ordinary horse would have tired from such a blazing pace, but Charlatan kicked clear easily in the homestretch.

9

The number of 2019-2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races won by trainer Bob Baffert, who conditions both Nadal and Charlatan. Baffert has won 29% of the 2019-2020 Derby preps and 90% of the preps he has participated in.

10

The position on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard occupied by Hopeful (G1) winner Basin, who chased Charlatan all the way around Oaklawn to finish second in the first division of the Arkansas Derby.

Basin’s resilient effort earned him 40 qualification points, which boosted his total to 50 and allowed him to jump from 30th to 10th on the leaderboard.

0.15

The difference, in seconds, of the winning Arkansas Derby times. Though Nadal’s margin of victory wasn’t as large, he came home faster to record a final time of 1:48.34, quicker than Charlatan’s 1:48.49 clocking.

78

The approximate number of times I thought to myself, “Today would have been Kentucky Derby day!” on the first Saturday in May.

The Derby’s new Sept. 5 date feels a long way off.

90

The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points accumulated by King Guillermo, who ran a gallant race to nab the runner-up spot behind Nadal in the second division of the Arkansas Derby.

Clearly the best of the rest, King Guillermo proved his upset victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) wasn’t a fluke.

100

The number of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points secured by Charlatan, who went from zero to 100 with his Arkansas Derby victory. He currently sits fourth on the leaderboard, one place ahead of King Guillermo.

124

The number of days until the Kentucky Derby. We're at the equivalent of early January in a normal year, in case you’re keeping track.