Upcoming Kentucky Derby Prep Races and Possible Starters

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series is set to kickoff Saturday in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds. Since the point series was adopted in 2012-13, it has taken an average of 21 points to make the field of 20 for the Kentucky Derby. However, this is the first year points have been awarded to the fifth-place finisher and an additional 577 points possible.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the upcoming Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series and the possible starters as of February 16, 2023.

Per Kentucky Racing Communications:

Feb. 25 (10 weeks out) – $1 million Rebel (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Oaklawn (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Bourbon Bash for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Confidence Game (Keith Desormeaux), Event Detail (Paulo Lobo), Frosted Departure (Kenny McPeek), Giant Mischief (Brad Cox), Gun Pilot (Steve Asmussen), Red Route One (Asmussen), Reincarnate (Bob Baffert) and Verifying (Cox).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $400,000 Fountain of Youth (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream Park (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Blazing Sevens (Chad Brown); Forte (Todd Pletcher); General Jim (Shug McGaughey); and Tapit Trice (Todd Pletcher).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $400,000 San Felipe (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Geaux Rocket Ride (Richard Mandella); National Treasure (Bob Baffert); Practical Move (Tim Yakteen); and Reincarnate (Bob Baffert).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $300,000 Gotham (GIII), one mile, Aqueduct (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Arctic Arrogance (Linda Rice); Corona Bolt (Brad Cox); Jace’s Road (Brad Cox); Lugan Knight (Michael McCarthy); and Slip Mahoney (Cox).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial, 1 1/16 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park (Top 5 points: 20-8-6-4-2)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Funtastic Again (Wesley Ward)

March 11 (eight weeks out) – $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs

Known possible starters (with trainer): Classic Car Wash (Mark Casse); Groveland (Eoin Harty); and Tapit Trice (Todd Pletcher).

March 25 (six weeks out) – $1 million Louisiana Derby (GII), 1 3/16 miles, Fair Grounds (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Instant Coffee (Brad Cox).

March 25 (six weeks out) – $1 million UAE Derby (GII), 1 3/16 miles, Meydan Racecourse (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Tall Boy (Doug O’Neill)

March 25 (six weeks out) – $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII), 1 1/8 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Chase the Chaos (Ed Moger Jr.); Scoobie Quando (Ben Colebrook); and Wadsworth (Brad Cox).

March 26 (six weeks out) – $600,000 Sunland Derby (GIII), 1 1/8 miles, Sunland Park (Top 4 points: 50-20-10-5)

April 1 (five weeks out) – $1 million Florida Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

April 1 (five weeks out) – $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Oaklawn Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

April 8 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII), 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Hit Show (Brad Cox)

April 8 (four weeks out) – $1 million Blue Grass (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Keeneland (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

April 8 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Chase the Chaos (Ed Moger Jr.)

April 15 (three weeks out) – $400,000 Lexington (GIII), 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland (Top 4 points: 20-8-4-2)