36 practice races that carried qualification points marked the route to the Kentucky Derby 2024, which got underway at Churchill Downs on September 16 and concluded at Keeneland on April 13. There are 17 days left before the Run for the Roses, and 40 points are needed to enter the starting gate. There were forty-six at this time last year.
The 11 horses that finished ahead of the pack showed distinct patterns during the points era, which started in 2013. Medina Spirit and Maximum Security were disqualified from their first-place finishes.
Winning a 100-point race prepared eight of the winners for the Derby. There was one apiece in the Arkansas Derby and the Haskell, two in the Santa Anita Derby, and four in the Florida Derby.
Just three winners of the Kentucky Derby came back from a long way behind to triumph: Orb in 2013 and Rich Strike and Mage the following two years. None of the other eight competitors finished lower than third place; they were either leaders or chasers.
The favorite has been the underdog in the last five Kentucky Derby races, but from 2013 to 2018, six favorites in succession at odds ranging from 2.30-1 to 5.40-1, were the winners.
There are four horses to think about winning this year, eight to employ underneath, and eight tosses.