The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs is Saturday, May 5, and graded earnings will determine the twenty horses that make it to the starting gate.
Last year is took $120,000 to guarantee a starting spot in the gate at Churchill Downs, and it appears likely that number will be higher this year as several of the top Derby preps have increased purses.
Here is a list of the last horse to earn a starting berth in the Kentucky Derby over the past six years.
2011: Derby Kitten: $120,000
2010: Make Music for Me: $218,750
2009: Nowhere to Hide: $55,500
2008: Denis of Cork: $165,000
2007: Imawildandcrazyguy: $104,000
2006: Flashy Bull: $109,000
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Here are the current graded stakes earnings through April 20:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hansen | Michael Maker | 1,550,000.00 |
| 2 | Daddy Long Legs | Aidan O’Brien | 1,294,030.00 |
| 3 | Union Rags | Michael Matz | 1,170,000.00 |
| 4 | Dullahan | Dale Romans | 855,000.00 |
| 5 | Creative Cause | Mike Harrington | 836,000.00 |
| 6 | Wrote (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | 756,630.00 |
| 7 | Gemologist | Todd Pletcher | 703,855.00 |
| 8 | Sabercat | Steve Asmussen | 701,429.00 |
| 9 | Take Charge Indy | Patrick Byrne | 698,400.00 |
| 10 | Secret Circle | Bob Baffert | 670,000.00 |
| 11 | Bodemeister | Bob Baffert | 660,000.00 |
| 12 | Hero of Order* | Gennadi Dorochenko | 617,375.00 |
| 13 | I’ll Have Another | Doug O’Neill | 601,000.00 |
| 14 | Daddy Nose Best | Steve Asmussen | 545,588.00 |
| 15 | Liaison | Bob Baffert | 393,000.00 |
| 16 | Alpha | Kiaran McLaughlin | 380,000.00 |
| 17 | Prospective | Mark Casse | 367,327.00 |
| 18 | Trinninberg | Bisnath Parboo | 324,000.00 |
| 19 | Done Talking | Hamilton Smith | 311,000.00 |
| 20 | Went the Day Well | Graham Motion | 282,000.00 |
| 21 | Rousing Sermon | Jerry Hollendorfer | 270,000.00 |
| 22 | Mark Valeski | Larry Jones | 260,000.00 |
| 23 | El Padrino | Todd Pletcher | 250,000.00 |
| 24 | Reveron | Agustin Bezara | 220,000.00 |
| 25 | Isn’t He Clever | Henry Dominguez | 188,000.00 |
| 26 | Optimizer | D. Wayne Lukas | 184,000.00 |
| 27 | Castaway | Bob Baffert | 162,000.00 |
| 28 | Currency Swap | Kelly Breen | 150,000.00 |
| 29 | My Adonis | James Cassidy | 140,000.00 |
| 30 | Brother Francis | Eddie Kenneally | 135,000.00 |
