Point adjustments, Euro additions and more mark '18 Road to Derby

[Kasept]

European series among changes to Derby points system
By Jay Privman

http://www.drf.com/news/european-ser...-points-system

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series begins Sept. 16 with the Iroquois at Churchill Downs and runs through the Lexington at Keeneland on April 14. The Lexington has had its points value increased, and will offer 20 points to the winner.

The Spiral at Turfway on March 17 has had its points reduced, with the winner receiving 20 as opposed to the 50 that were on offer in prior years.

New this year to the main series is the Springboard Mile at Remington on Dec. 17.

This will be the sixth year that the Kentucky Derby field will be determined by points, as opposed to earnings in graded stakes, which had been the policy for three decades. The early preps are worth 10 points to the winner – with 4 for second, 2 for third, and 1 for fourth – and the final round of major preps are worth 10 times that – 100 for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, and 10 for fourth.

Also announced on Thursday was the 31-race Road to the Kentucky Oaks Series, which begins with the Pocahontas at Churchill on Sept. 16. New to the series this year is the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10. The Bourbonette at Turfway on March 17, much like the Spiral on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, has had its points value reduced to a race worth 20 to the winner as opposed to 50 in prior years. The Kentucky Oaks will be run on May 4.