The Kentucky Derby points system determines which horses qualify for the starting gate at Churchill Downs and has served as the official selection method since its introduction in 2013. Prior to its implementation, entry into the Kentucky Derby was based on graded stakes earnings, a system that had been in place for decades but often favored horses that performed well at shorter distances or earlier in their careers.

In an effort to place greater emphasis on races that more closely resemble the conditions of the Kentucky Derby, officials introduced the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system. The structure assigns points to the top finishers in a series of designated prep races, with the highest point earners securing positions in the Derby field.

The system is divided into multiple phases, beginning with early prep races that typically offer 10 points to the winner, followed by later preps that increase in importance. As the season progresses, races award 20, 50, and ultimately 100 points to the winner, reflecting their significance in determining Derby eligibility.

Major prep races such as the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Santa Anita Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes are among those that award 100 points to the winner, along with 50 points to the runner-up, 25 to third, 15 to fourth, and 10 to fifth. These races are typically held in March and April and often determine the final composition of the Derby field.

At the conclusion of the prep season, the top 20 horses on the points leaderboard earn entry into the Kentucky Derby, provided they are nominated and remain eligible. In the event of ties, earnings in non-restricted stakes races are used as a tiebreaker.

Since the system was introduced, the number of points required to qualify for the Kentucky Derby has varied slightly from year to year, but typically falls in the range of 30 to 40 points for the final spot in the field. In some years, horses have qualified with fewer points due to scratches or shifts in the leaderboard.

At the top end, the highest point totals are usually achieved by horses that win multiple major prep races. While exact totals vary, it is not uncommon for leading contenders to accumulate between 100 and 150 points, with occasional higher totals when horses perform consistently across multiple high-value races.

Several notable horses have illustrated how the system functions in practice. Justify qualified for the Kentucky Derby in 2018 with 100 points after winning the Santa Anita Derby in only his third career start before going on to win the Triple Crown. Rich Strike, the 2022 Kentucky Derby winner, entered the field with 21 points as an alternate following a late scratch, demonstrating how lower totals can still gain entry under certain circumstances.

In addition to the main series in North America, there are also international qualifying paths, including the Japan Road and the European Road to the Kentucky Derby. These series award a designated spot in the field to their respective top point earners, further expanding the global reach of the race.