Graded stakes earnings are used to determine the order of preference for which horses are drawn into the Kentucky Derby if there are more than 20 horses, the maximum allowed number of starters, entered into the race. Below is a list of horses in order of graded earnings amount through April 15. The graded preps nearly over with only a few big ones left, so the list can still change a lot over the next week or two. Usually it will take at least $100,000 in graded earnings to make the field for the Derby, and there are already over 20 horses with at least that much in earnings so it will probably be much higher this year, perhaps over $250,000.
Note: Horses who have already be declared as out of the Derby are not listed and only those with at least $100,000 in earnings are included. Where there is a tie in earnings, the horses are ranked alphabetically.
- Hansen ... $1,550,000
- Daddy Long Legs ... $1,284.030
- Union Rags ... $1,170,000
- Dullahan ... $855,000
- Creative Cause ... $836,000
- Gemologist ... $703,855
- Sabercat ... $701,429
- Take Charge Indy ... $698,400
- Bodemeister ... $660,000
- Hero of Order ... $615,500 (not nominated and would require a $200,000 supplement, but still could not get in unless less than 20 early or late nominees were entered)
- I'll Have Another ... $601,000
- Daddy Nose Best ... $545,558
- Liaison ... $393,000
- Alpha ... $380,000
- Prospective ... $367,327
- Trinniberg ... $324,500
- Done Talking ... $311,000
- Went the Day Well ... $282,000
- Rousing Sermon ... $270,000
- El Padrino ... $250,000
- Optimizer ... $184,708
- Castaway ... $162,000
- Currency Swap ... $150,000
- The Lumber Guy ... $150,000
- My Adonis ... $130,000
- Battle Hardened ... $127,000
- Brother Francis ... $120,000
- Longview Drive ... $102,834
Triple Crown quick links:
- Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - full profiles for all the top contenders with photos, stats, and links to more info
- Kentucky Derby Central - a guide to all things Derby
- Triple Crown Trail - prep race schedule with results updated weekly
- 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool Two - ran from March 11-13 and Uncle Mo wound up the favorite at 3-1 with the field next at 7-2. The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager only had a single pool this year and Kathmanblu was the favorite at 7-2.
- 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool One - ran from February 18-20 and the field was once again the favorite with Uncle Mo next.
- 2012 Triple Crown Nominations - There were 398 3-year-old thoroughbreds nominated for the 2011 Triple Crown by the January early deadline. Early nominations are $600 while late nominations, which close in late March, are $6000.
- 2011 Experimental Free Handicap - ranks the top 2-year-olds of 2011 and determines the Dual Qualifiers for the Derby
- Review: Betting the Kentucky Derby - How to Wager and Win on America's Biggest Horse Race by Dean Keppler
- Derby Weather - several forecasts for Louisville.
- Kentucky Derby 101 - An overview of the Kentucky Derby from history to handicapping to how to attend. Perfect for beginners.
- Kentucky Derby Winners - all the winners with their connections and other info
- Fillies in the Kentucky Derby - information about the fillies who have run in the Kentucky Derby
- More Derby info - lots more stats and other info about the Derby
- Official Kentucky Derby site from Churchill Downs
- Louisville Courier Journal coverage - one of your best news sources for the Derby
- Lexington Herald-Leader - another good source for Kentucky racing news
- Blood Horse Triple Crown Mania
- Thoroughbred Times Road to the Triple Crown
- DRF Kentucky Derby Special
- Triple Crown Index - the master list with even more info
