Top 20 Kentucky Derby Point Earners Heading Into 2017…Who Makes the Gate?

We know who the Top 20 ranked Kentucky Derby point earners are now, but who from this list will actually make the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.  Here’s my take on the current top 20 horses:

1. Classic Empire (30) – Looks to be head and shoulders above the rest of his peers as of now, and with his 30 points he probably already has enough to make the field.  IN

2. Practical Joke (14) – Multiple Grade 1 winner at age two, and finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile which I thought was strong.  Should be in good shape heading into this year.  IN

3. Gunnevera (10) – Not completely sold on him yet even though he’s a multiple graded stakes winner.  His connections aren’t proven, but I think his talent level is high enough to sneak him into the field.  IN

4. Lookin At Lee (10) – Looks to be your typical grind it out type that should at the very least will hit the board in all of his preps.  IN

5. Mastery (10) – The ceiling looks to be pretty high, and Baffert thinks this guy is his best shot at winning the Kentucky Derby.  IN

6. Gormley (10) – Didn’t care for his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile effort, but outside of Mastery I’m unsure on the California horses up to this point.  I’m thinking he will find his form.  IN

7. Mo Town (10) – Skeptical of this horse in a big time way.  Remsen Stakes winners have a sketchy recent history.  OUT

8. McCracken (10) – Would be hard to make an argument against him right now given his two impressive wins at Churchill Downs.  IN

9. Wild Shot (6) – Has ran a couple of nice races behind solid horses like Classic Empire and Practical Joke.  I don’t fully trust him yet though.  OUT

10. No Dozing (6) – Same thing as Wild Shot…has ran well behind solid horses.  Also just like Wild Shot I don’t fully trust him yet.  OUT

11. Klimt (4) – He’s been average in his last two starts after being great in the two previous.  Might not be a two turn horse.  OUT

12. Hot Sean (4) – Ran pretty well in the Delta Downs Jackpot behind Gunnevera, and could be the type that sneaks into the field for Baffert.  IN

13. Dangerfield (4) – Hasn’t shown a tremendous amount of talent yet, and I’m afraid the waters might get deeper for him now.  OUT

14. Syndergaard (4) – One turn horse…and a very good one.  Not two turns though.  OUT

15. Irap (4) – Interesting first try for him on dirt against Mastery, but the bottom line is this horse is still a maiden and that was not a great field.  OUT

16. Straight Fire (2) – Looked freakish early, but not lately.  Will have to do some proving around two turns before I believe in him.  OUT

17. Favorable Outcome (2) – I’m on the fence with him…can’t get any kind of read on what type of horse he might be.  OUT

18. Recruiting Ready (2) – If he makes the Kentucky Derby it would be a complete shock.  Has gone the wrong direction. OUT

19. Takaful (2) – I’ll give him one more shot around two turns before giving up on him.  Ran very green last time out.  IN

20. Warrior’s Club (2) – Nobody is laughing at the Churchill Downs Racing Club now!  He’s not that high on talent, but Lukas is a master at getting these types to the Derby.  IN