Kentucky Derby 2020: How the race has changed

On May 2, Art Collector was nowhere to be found on the road to the Kentucky Derby points standings. If the race had gone off that day as scheduled, the son of Bernardini most likely wouldn't have been in the lineup, let alone one of the top contenders.

It’s been a strange year for Kentucky Derby preps. The Sept. 5 Run for the Roses will include several horses who were outside the top 20 in points for the original May date, and will be without some who were expected to be contenders.

“I think I’m the only person in the world that’s found the silver lining to the COVID mess,” Art Collector’s trainer Thomas Drury said on Aug. 9. “I really do. This horse, maybe we’re not standing here if not for the COVID stuff, so I guess everything happens for a reason.”

With the rescheduled Derby, more preps races were added, which raised the total points awarded. In 2019, Tacitus came into the race with the most points, earning 150. The lowest points total in the race was Bodexpress, who came in with 19.

Related: Kentucky Derby 2020: Who are the fastest contenders?

This year, Tiz the Law leads the way going in, holding 372 points. However, he wouldn’t have been on top if the road had ended May 2.

Nadal was the points leader that day, holding 150 points to Tiz the Law’s 122. However, Bob Baffert-trained colt was knocked out of Derby contention when he fractured a leg during training at Santa Anita on May 28 and was retired from racing.

Baffert had a tough go of it with his top contenders during the extra time, as Charlatan, who was ranked fourth in the standings on May 2, subsequently tested positive for Licocaine following a win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and later had filling in an ankle that knocked him out of Derby contention. It's possible he can make the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

“Preakness, it’s gonna be tight,” Baffert said on July 15. “It’s gonna be tight. We’re gonna do what’s right. I think Breeders’ Cup, maybe have a shot there, but Preakness is gonna be a little tight.”

Baffert will still be represented in the Kentucky Derby with Authentic and Thousand Words.

Another top contender who was knocked off the road to the Kentucky Derby was Wells Bayou, trained by Brad Cox, who suffered bone bruising in June. The colt was in third place with 104 points on May 2.

Cox will not have a horse running in the Derby.

Related: Kentucky Derby exactas, trifectas and superfectas pay off big

Other horses that have qualified for the Derby following the original May 2 race date include Honor A. P., Max Player and Attachment Rate. Others that were in contention and now will not race include Ete Indien and Gouverneur Morris.

The delay to this year’s Kentucky Derby also creates a lack of suspense regarding the ability of many in the field to go the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. With the Travers being contested at that distance before the Derby, expected Derby favorite Tiz the Law has already proven he can thrive at a mile and a quarter. 

“This is the greatest springboard to move on to Kentucky,” Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga, said after the Travers win on Aug. 8. “I think he's proven today that he certainly is a mile and a quarter horse and Barclay has said that all along."

Another difference in this year’s Derby is the fact that despite earning more points than in previous years, the field could be slightly smaller this year than recent Derbys.

In 2019 and 2018, 21 horses were entered, down from 2015-17, when 22 were entered. In 2020, at time of writing it appears only 17-20 will be entered, meaning no scratches will be necessary.

The 2020 Kentucky Derby, which will take place with no fans in attendance, is scheduled to go off Sept. 5. Continued coverage can be found here.