2022 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is only open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds,[3] thus entrants in the 2022 race were foaled in 2019, mostly as part of the North American foal crop of 19,037.[4][lower-alpha 1] The field is limited to twenty horses who qualify based on points earned in the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races that was first introduced in 2013. This point system replaced the previous graded stakes race earnings system.[5]

Most positions in the Derby starting gate are earned on the main Road, consisting of 36 races in North America plus one in Dubai. The major preps for the Kentucky Derby are the UAE Derby, Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby. Each of these races provided the winner with 100 qualifying points, essentially guaranteeing that horse a berth in the Derby provided the owner paid the required nomination and entry fees. The first two of these major preps were run on March 26 and were won by Crown Pride and Epicenter. The next three major preps were run on April 2 and were won by Tiz the Bomb, White Albarrio and Cyberknife. The last three major preps were run on April 9 and were won by Mo Donegal, Zandon and Taiba.[6]

One qualification position was also available via the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, and another via the Japan Road. Due in part to ongoing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, none of these offers were accepted in 2022. These two positions reverted to qualifiers on the main Road.[7] Note that Crown Pride, bred and trained in Japan, qualified via the main Road after winning the UAE Derby.

Entries were taken on May 2 followed by the post position draw. The leading contenders are:[8][9][10]

• Epicenter – winner of the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby. top point earner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. drew an inside post position, potentially a tactical disadvantage in the large field of the Derby
• Zandon – winner of the Blue Grass Stakes, second in the Risen Star and Remsen Stakes
• Taiba – winner of the Santa Anita Derby. The Kentucky Derby will be only his third lifetime start
• Smile Happy – second in the Blue Grass Stakes. won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at age two
• White Abarrio – winner of the Holy Bull Stakes and Florida Derby
• Mo Donegal – winner of the Wood Memorial and Remsen Stakes
• Messier – second in the Santa Anita Derby
• Cyberknife – winner of the Arkansas Derby

Also Eligible:[lower-alpha 2] Rich Strike, Rattle N Roll