<P> The Road to the Kentucky Derby is a points system by which horses qualify for a position in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby . It features dozens of stakes races for 2 and 3 - year - old Thoroughbreds--the number and specific races have changed slightly over the years . The point system replaced a previous qualifying system that looked at earnings from all graded stakes races worldwide . </P> <P> There are 20 positions available in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby . Starting in 2017, one of those spots is reserved for the winner of the separate Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby . If the winner of the Japan Road declines the offer, their position is offered to the next ranked Japanese horse . If none of the top four finishers accepts the offer, this position in the starting gate reverts to qualifiers on the regular Road to the Kentucky Derby . Starting in 2018, Churchill Downs developed a similar European Road to the Kentucky Derby . </P>

How to get your horse in the kentucky derby
find me the text answering this question