If you want to know about all the leading Kentucky Derby horses today for this year’s first leg of the Triple Crown, then this is where you can learn more. We list the standings based on qualifying points for the big race at Churchill Downs and then profile all those runners who made it into the final field.

List of Kentucky Derby Horses Based on Qualifying Points

A series of qualifying races take place across America and around the world on The Road to the Kentucky Derby. The better the runners do in those, then the more points and shorter odds on Kentucky Derby horses get. As promised, these are the current standings in order of qualifying point picked up en route to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May:

1. Burnham Square (130)
2. Sandman (129)
3. Journalism (122.5)
4. Rodriguez (121.25)
5. Tiztastic (119)
6. Tappan Street (110)
7. Sovereignty (110)
8. Final Gambit (100)
9. Coal Battle (95)
10. Chunk Of Gold (75)
11. Citizen Bull (71.25)
12. East Avenue (60)
13. Publisher (60)
14. American Promise (55)
15. River Thames (50)
16. Flying Mohawk (50)
17. Grande (50)
18. Madaket Road (46)
19. Luxor Cafe (70) [Japan]
20. Admire Daytona (100) [Japan / Middle East]

Qualifying Points from the Road to Kentucky Derby Series correct as of Monday, April 14.

All Kentucky Derby Runners

While we don’t know the final Kentucky Derby field until a week out from the big race, bettors and horse racing fans could still learn plenty about hopefuls. That is why we asked our expert handicappers to write profiles of the main contenders and later all the runers.

Some will inevitably fall by the wayside through injury or switch targets, but here is more info on the thoroughbreds that could potentially be talked about as Triple Crown picks before the race.

Burnham Square

Landed Grade I Blue Grass Stakes around Keeneland latest with late run down the outside. Turned about Fountain Of Youth form with River Thames from Gulfstream Park when punching his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. Something to find with Sovereignty on that Florida run.

Sire successful in 2015 Woodward Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Dam a juvenile Grade II winner at Churchill Downs and shares a sire with Justify, who beat all-comers in his Triple Crown year. Top of Road to the Kentucky Derby rankings with most qualifying points.

Sandman

Roan grey colt who cost $1,200,000 as a juvenile and took his form to a new level with Grade I Arkansas Derby glory latest. Wayward when veering right at Oaklawn Park 100m from wire, but always holding Publisher with Rebel Stakes conqueror Coal Battle beaten behind.

Sire does produce Kentucky Derby horses but progeny often run better in Belmont Stakes. Concern is three worst performances in his career to date were at Churchill Downs with two fifths and a show behind Sovereignty in the fall. Must prove he likes the track.

Journalism

Won his last four races including Grade I Santa Anita Derby latest. Yearling purchase of $825,000 who clearly trained on from Los Alamitos Futurity success as a juvenile with San Felipe Stakes victory in California on reappearance.

Confirmed that form back at Santa Anita Park where also had Citizen Bull out of the show. By a very versatile sire and similar comments apply to damsire, who produced 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. Could be even more to come as seeks fifth win in a row.

Rodriguez

Relatively modest $485,000 yearling buy who placed behind Citizen Bull in February and made the show in the San Felipe Stakes when well adrift of Journalism. Improved on that form with ready success in Grade II Wood Memorial at Aqueduct latest.

Sire new on the scene, but won the 2020 Haskell Stakes, Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic. Speedy damsire makes for interesting pedigree. Further progress certainly can’t be ruled out. One of the Kentucky Derby horses to note for trainer, who can have Churchill Downs runners again.

Tiztastic

Sold twice a yearling and Listed victory on turf as a juvenile. Subsequently switched to the dirt and twice made the show at Churchill Downs. Improved on all previous form with Grade II Louisiana Derby victory at the New Orleans Fair Grounds latest.

Didn’t have the speed for a mile on this surface over the fall and winter, but this trip more suitable. By the 2020 Florida Derby, Belmont Stakes (reduced distance) and Travers Stakes winner. Damsire is sire of Sandman. Represents powerful global owners and respected.

Tappan Street

Cost $1,000,000 as a yearling and justified his price tag with Florida Derby glory on just third career start latest. Came with sustained run at Gulfstream Park, prevailing over Sovereignty. Stepped up on previous form at that track when only second in the Holy Bull Stakes.

Sire already produced two winning Kentucky Derby horses, albeit with only one passing the wire first. Damsire no stranger to success with progeny in Triple Crown races either. Still unexposed, but also light on racing experience.

Sovereignty

Impressive Churchill Downs winner on final start as a juvenile. Five lengths too good for Tiztastic and Sandman on that occasion in Grade III Street Sense Stakes. Landed Fountain Of Youth at Gulfstream Park with late surge on reappearance.

Not disgraced when behind Tappan Street, who he shares a sire with, and closing on the winner in the Florida Derby there latest. Came wide from the rear with late run for second and should have no issues with extra distance. Feared for another powerful owner-breeding operation.

Final Gambit

Third on sole start as a juvenile over a mile at Churchill Downs. Dual Turfway Park winner including Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks latest. Readily accounted for Flying Mowhawk on that occasion. By the same sire as Epicenter, second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Parents alone don’t give pedigree lovers much to go on, though. Damsire Tapit ties him with other Kentucky Derby horses in the field. Barn also runs Tappan Street, but this one for yet another strong set of international owner-breeders.

Admire Daytona

Japanese horse twice beaten by Luxor Cafe on their own side of the Pacific. Improved on that form when making most of the running at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night to just land the UAE Derby latest.

That punched his ticket to Churchill Downs. Sire was US Champion Sprinter, but progeny seem to get further. Damsire won the Preakness, meanwhile, yet lacked stamina for this trip. Extra furlong is a concern.

Coal Battle

At a yearling sales price of just $70,000, he’s one of the cheaper Kentucky Derby horses this time. A dual Listed winner over a mile as a juvenile, he completed a hat-trick at that level in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park in January.

Followed-up on that with Grade II Rebel Stakes win around the same track before fading into third in the Arkansas Derby latest. Sire initially a sprinter, but stayed a mile as he aged. Profile of damsire does little to allay fears he won’t stay the Churchill Downs trip.

Chunk Of Gold

Placed behind the injured Magnitude in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes and second again to Tiztastic in the Louisiana Derby also at the New Orleans Fair Grounds latest. Cost even less than Coal Battle at the sales as a $2,500 purchase as a yearling.

Sire won the Suburban Stakes and Woodward Stakes both at NYRA tracks over the summer of 2019. Difficult to assess progeny on either side of his pedigree in relation to this, but he’s run well at big odds in two recognized Kentucky Derby prep races.

Citizen Bull

Dual juvenile Grade I winner in the fall, culminating in Breeders’ Cup glory. Landed prep race for Santa Anita Derby, but then faded out of the show into fourth place latest. Raises doubts about participation as owner and barn also have other Kentucky Derby horses.

If treated on earlier form, however, could easily bounce back. Same sire as Sovereignty and Tappan Street. Also has same damsire as latter and Sandman. Could have other targets at Churchill Downs and beyond over a shorter distance.

Luxor Cafe

Unbeaten Japanese horse by the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Twice defeated Admire Daytona, so looks the pick of the pair potentially crossing the Pacific this time around. Punched his ticket to Churchill Downs with impressive Fukuryu Stakes success latest.

Although unraced outside of his homeland, he’s guaranteed a run in the Kentucky Derby if he wants it. Dam also a Churchill Downs winner, so has the right pedigree for this test.

East Avenue

Step back in right direction when chinned on the wire by Burnham Square in the Blue Grass at Keeneland latest. Disappointing when a well-beaten favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Risen Star Stakes either side of winter break before that.

Showed early promise when landing Grade I Breeders’ Futurity also around Keeneland in the fall. Sire fourth in the Kentucky Derby himself and second in Belmont Stakes, but produced famous Kentucky Oaks heroine Rachel Alexandra. Damsire a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, but looks owner-breeders’ second string to Sovereignty.

Publisher

Cost $600,000 as a yearling and still a maiden. That doesn’t tell the whole story, however, as career best when splitting Sandman and Coal Battle with Grade I Arkansas Derby second latest. A repeat of that effort means he can’t be ruled out of contention.

While sire needs no introduction to followers of Triple Crown races, damsire produced a Kentucky Oaks winner. Connections will definitely feel this one has a big prize in him somewhere this season.

American Promise

No win in three previous starts at Churchill Downs as a juvenile in the fall after costing $750,000 as a yearling. Landed Virginia Derby on latest outing after minor honors in both Southwest Stakes (seventh) at Oaklawn Park and Risen Star Stakes (fifth) in New Orleans.

Must prove credentials at a higher level in graded company, but by 2018 Triple Crown hero Justify and thus bred to do well for his Hall of Fame trainer. Other Kentucky Derby horses appeal more, however.

River Thames

Bought for $200,000 as a yearling, unraced as a juvenile and two minor wins around Gulfstream Park. Stepped up on that with Fountain Of Youth second to Soverignty also at Florida track.

Made the show in Grade I Keeneland Stakes latest, but Burnham Square turned about previous form. Sire produced 2017 Preakness Stakes winner and damsire landed UAE Derby, but stamina doubts for extra distance.

Flying Mohawk

Twice sold for $25,000 and $72,000 at the sales, and two minor wins so far. Chased home Final Gambit in the Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks latest. Out of a French 2000 Guineas and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner on turf, but didn’t stay further on that surface.

Damsire offers more encouragement stamina wise, but didn’t actually win over a Triple Crown distance. Other Kentucky Derby horses have more obvious claims of running well at the trip come Churchill Downs’ big race.

Grande

Bought for $300,000 as a yearling and landed a couple minor races at Gulfstream Park this winter. Second to Rodriguez in Grade II Wood Memorial Stakes when forced to race very wide around Aqueduct latest, and the only one home within five lengths of the winner.

Dam by a sprinting type, so all the stamina coming from the sire’s side of his pedigree. Owner and barn love having big race runners across America. This one stuck to task well, but needs a kinder draw at Churchill Downs than he got in New York.

Madaket Road

In and around the show on four graded starts in career to date after costing $650,000 as a yearling. Third to barn buddy Citizen Bull in the Robert B Lewis at Santa Anita, then split Coal Battle and Sandman in Rebel Stakes around Oaklawn Park with Publisher and Tiztastic behind.

Dropped away into fourth in Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park latest. Something to find with Tappan Street and Sovereignty on that run. Same sire as connections’ National Treasure, who won the Preakness and Pegasus World Cup. Sprinting pedigree from dam’s side, but could sneak in if Citizen Bull doesn’t race.

Kentucky Derby Horses And Jockeys To Follow

It’s not just about the horses in the Kentucky Derby field, but their riders as well. If a jockey has a particularly good recent record or has won the big one at Churchill Downs before, then that will attract interest from bettors.

John Velazquez may be a rider to follow as he has partnered three Kentucky Derby winners to victory since 2011. He could be back on board Repole Stable’s hopeful Grande for the Todd Pletcher barn this time.

Flavien Prat, meanwhile, has had his mounts at least make the show in four of the last five years. The Kentucky Derby horses and odds available will reflect such trends. Prat will once again be a popular jockey this time around. He rides Publisher.

It is worth bettors knowing who, if anyone, is the stable jockey for Hall of Fame trainers and major barns from around America. Should they more than one entry representing them in a race, then the rider may have had a choice of mounts.

This can also influence the market on Kentucky Derby betting sites as the jockey should in theory pick the horse with the best chance. It doesn’t always work like that in practice, of course.

FAQs

How old are Kentucky Derby horses?

All runners in the race must be three-year-old thoroughbreds who have accrued enough qualifying points from the Road to the Kentucky Derby. They can be colts, ridglings, geldings or fillies. There are no restrictions on gender or the type horse, just their age.

Are Kentucky Derby horses male or female?

The majority of horses entered and running in the Kentucky Derby are male. Females have the fillies only Kentucky Oaks to run in at Churchill Downs the day before, but the race remains open to them.

How fast do Kentucky Derby horses run?

The speed of Kentucky Derby runners is about 60kmph on average. This is not quite so fast as sprinter horses, but they race over much shorter distances. Speed figures are a key consideration before making Kentucky Derby picks as handicappers want to know the pace of horses. Those who go too far and don’t have enough stamina in their breeding can blow their chances.

Are all Kentucky Derby horses male?

Not all, but most. This is for the reasons explained above. The Kentucky Oaks for three-year-old fillies is held at Churchill Downs the day before The Derby.

How much do Kentucky Derby horses cost?

The cost of most thoroughbred racehorses is determined by auction at public Sales. While they can be purchased privately, the average Kentucky Derby contender is estimated at between $200,000 and $300,000, but owners may pay considerably more than that.

Who are some of the most famous Kentucky Derby horses in history?

The Triple Crown winners are the first who spring to mind. The names of modern era Kentucky Derby horses who became real famous and transcend the sport include Secretariat, Seattle Slew, American Pharoah and Justify.

How much are Kentucky Derby horses worth?

The value of any horse who wins The Derby skyrockets. This isn’t just because of the first prize making up the bulk of the prize purse at Churchill Downs, but due to the stud fees they can command when their racing career is over. With such diverse revenues steams, it is hard to estimate what such horses are worth to their owners.