Kentucky Derby Posts to be Drawn a Week Before Race

An earlier draw for post positions will precede this year's 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Darren Rogers, senior director of communications and media services at Churchill Downs, confirmed a report in The Courier-Journal that the track will draw entries for both the May 4 Kentucky Derby and May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 27. He said the draws for those two races would occur during the track's opening-day program, likely between races during its traditional Saturday evening card on the first day of the spring meet. Television coverage is to be announced. Draws for the supporting Kentucky Oaks Day and Kentucky Derby Day races will take place as usual during the day April 27, Rogers said. In recent years, a double draw for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Days occurred on the Monday before the Derby. Rogers said the decision to move up the draw was based on increased time for handicappers to analyze the race and as an equine health measure that would allow more evaluation by veterinarians of horses scheduled to compete. Updated Triple Crown rules require all starters and also-eligibles for the $5 million Kentucky Derby to be stabled on the grounds by 11 a.m. ET April 27. "That will provide us with an additional two days of monitoring and observation by the (Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) and our vets at Churchill before, during, and after training," Rogers said. Also-eligible horses have until 9 a.m. ET on Oaks Day, the day before the Derby, to draw into the Derby if a horse in the main field scratches. Rich Strike drew into the 1 1/4-mile Derby as an also-eligible in 2022 and upset the first leg of the Triple Crown at 80-1 odds. The Kentucky Derby typically oversubscribes beyond its 20-horse maximum field size, though last year 18 horses went to post after five scratches amid tight veterinary scrutiny. This came after seven equine fatalities in the week leading up to the Derby. A month later, Churchill Downs would transfer its spring meet to Ellis Park after continued equine loss. A Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority review of the 12 fatalities found no single cause of death or identifiable pattern. Previously, Derby horses were not required to be at Churchill Downs until the Monday morning before the race—though most participants typically arrived before that deadline. The earlier date of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks post position draws comes with Churchill Downs expanding its equine overnight. Also on Wednesday, the track announced the hiring of Dr. Dana Stead as Churchill Downs Inc.'s equine safety and integrity veterinarian. He joins CDI's equine medical director, Dr. William Farmer, on staff. Stead Named Equine Safety And Integrity Veterinarian for CDI Rogers said that since last September, Churchill Downs has been drawing its cards about a week before scheduled races, and the change to the timing of the draws before the Derby and Oaks continues that practice. "I think it's more valuable anytime that you can get the racing information in the horseplayers' hands. The earlier, the better," Rogers said.