***Updated after the post position draw an morning-line odds

Now that the scoring races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby are in the books, the leaderboard is set, and the field is crystallizing for the first jewel of the Triple Crown. 

The top 20 are assured of a spot in the starting gate for the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1), while the “bubble” horses – those on the outside looking in – hope for defections to enable them to make the maximum 20-horse field. Four horses can be entered as “also-eligibles,” and post positions will be drawn on opening night at Churchill Downs April 26, exactly one week ahead of the May 3 Run for the Roses.

Burnham Square’s late charge in the Blue Grass (G1) propelled him to the top of the leaderboard with 130 points. Right behind him in second with 129 points is another deep closer, Sandman, who broke through in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

Journalism, the early Kentucky Derby favorite, amassed 122.5 points through three consecutive victories in Southern California preps. His total would have been higher had the fields been larger in his past two wins; with only five runners in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), their respective points allocations were reduced by 25%. 

The top three are all trained by horsemen looking for their first Kentucky Derby trophy. But Burnham Square’s trainer, Ian Wilkes, was involved with the preparations of Derby champions Unbridled (1990) and Street Sense (2007) during his time working for Carl Nafzger. Journalism’s trainer, Michael McCarthy, had been Todd Pletcher’s assistant when the Hall of Famer scored his Derby breakthrough with Super Saver (2010). And Sandman’s trainer Mark Casse, a Hall of Famer in both Canada and the U.S., sent out champion Classic Empire to finish a troubled fourth in the 2017 Derby.

Bob Baffert, tied with fellow Hall of Famer Ben Jones for the all-time record of six Derby wins, is back in contention with two contenders – Wood Memorial (G2) romper Rodriguez (121.25 points) and last year’s champion two-year-old male Citizen Bull (71.25 points).

Legendary four-time Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas, now 89 years old, has another shot at glory with American Promise (55 points). Pletcher, a Lukas protégé, bids for his third Derby victory with Grande (50 points). 

Louisiana Derby (G2) victor Tiztastic (119 points) aims to fill the Derby gap on Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen’s lengthy resume. Asmussen, who has finished second three times here including with favored Epicenter (2022), also has the maiden Publisher (60 points) safely in the field. 

International powerhouse Godolphin likewise seeks an overdue first Kentucky Derby trophy with homebreds Sovereignty (110 points) and East Avenue (60 points). Sovereignty hopes to give Hall of Famer Bill Mott, whose Derby win came via disqualification with County House (2019), a first-past-the-post winner. East Avenue is just the second Derby starter for Irishman Brendan Walsh.

Louisville native Brad Cox, trainer of the promoted Derby winner Mandaloun (2021), has Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Final Gambit (100 points). His Florida Derby (G1) hero Tappan Street (110 points) was also a prime contender until sustaining an injury a week out from the race. Trainer Whit Beckman, another local rooting interest, sends out Flying Mohawk (50 points).

Blue-collar Coal Battle (95 points) is the horse of a lifetime for longtime Louisiana trainer Lonnie Briley, and rags-to-riches Chunk of Gold (75 points) offers a similarly heartwarming tale for young horseman Ethan West. 

After Japan’s Forever Young came so close in the 2024 Derby, budding star Luxor Cafe and the workmanlike Admire Daytona will try to achieve an historic win for their connections. Luxor Cafe earned the Japan Road invitation, and Admire Daytona won the UAE Derby (G2) to top the Euro/Mideast Road leaderboard. 

Pending developments through the April 26 draw, here’s how the top 20 stand, plus horses on the bubble. For horses who have scored the same number of points, the tiebreak is non-restricted stakes earnings (listed along with the points in parentheses).

Horses of the 151st Kentucky Derby

What horses will run in the Kentucky Derby?

Also-eligible

If a horse in the main body of the field scratches by 9 a.m. ET Friday, the lone also-eligible can draw into the race.

No. 21 Baeza (37.5 points)

Santa Anita Derby runner-up is a $1.2 million half-brother to 2023 Derby upsetter Mage and 2024 Belmont (G1) winner Dornoch.

Owners: C R K Stable & Grandview Estate

Trainer: John Shirreffs; Jockey: Flavien Prat

Pedigree: McKinzie-Puca, by Big Brown