With all the Kentucky Derby points races in the books, Kentucky-breds top the leaderboard, claiming 18 of the Top 20 spots for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Sierra Leone

Topping the list is Sierra Leone with 155 points. Winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and the Risen Star Stakes (G2) this season, the son of Gun Runner finished second in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at two. He is owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith, and is trained by Chad Brown.

Bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley, Sierra Leone was a $2.3 million acquisition at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale where he was consigned by Gainesway. All told, Sierra Leone , who is out of the Malibu Moon Heavenly Love, boasts three wins from four starts and has earnings of $918,000 heading into the First Saturday in May.

Fierceness

In second on the leaderboard with 136 points is last year’s champion juvenile Fierceness. The Repole Stable homebred trained by Todd Pletcher, proved an authoritative 13 ½-length winner of the Florida Derby (G1) in his most recent outing. In his seasonal bow, Fierceness finished third in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) in February.

By City of Light, Fierceness won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita, defeating Muth by 6 ¼ lengths. Produced from the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella, Fierceness has amassed earnings of $1,703,850 and has won three of five starts.

Catching Freedom

Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom and Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold each have 125 points. Catching Freedom captured the Louisiana Derby last time out after finishing third in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). He also won the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn to begin his campaign in January.

Racing for Albaugh Family Stables, the son of Constitution was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and is trained by Brad Cox. Catching Freedom was a $575,000 purchase by Albaugh Family Stables out of the Warrendale Sales consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has won three of five starts and banked $877,350.

Stronghold is already a two-time Derby winner having won both the Sunland Derby (G3) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) for trainer Philip D’Amato. A homebred for Eric and Sharon Waller, Stronghold finished second in last year’s Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. He has finished first or second in all six lifetime starts and has earned $827,200. A son of Ghostzapper, Stronghold is out of the Jimmy Creed mare Spectator.

Kentucky Derby Points Standings:

1. Sierra Leone (155 points)
2. Fierceness (136 points)
3. Catching Freedom (125 points)
4. Stronghold (125 points)
5. Resilience (110 points)
6. Forever Young (JPN) (100 points)
7. Endlessly (100 points)
8. Dornoch (75 points)
9. Just a Touch (75 points)
10. Track Phantom (70 points)
11. West Saratoga (67 points)
12. Just Steel (65 points)
13. Honor Marie (65 points)
14. Domestic Product (60 points)
15. Catalytic (50 points)
16. Society Man (50 points)
17. Mystik Dan (46 points)
18. Encino (40 points)
19. T O Password (JPN) (40 points)
20. Grand Mo the First (40 points)