The 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2017 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 6. The field for the Derby was limited to 20 horses, with up to four 'also eligibles' in case of a late withdrawal from the field.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby gives points to the top four finishers in specified races. The 2017 season consisted of 35 races, 19 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. Earnings in non-restricted stakes acted as a tie breaker. The races for the 2017 series were mostly the same as in the 2016 series, except that the Sam F. Davis stakes replaced the Iroquois Stakes.[1]
On September 12, 2016, Churchill Downs announced the introduction of a separate Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, which consisted of two races: the Cattleya Sho on November 26, 2016, and the Hyacinth on February 19, 2017. The winner of this series was offered one of the 20 positions available in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.[1] However, the offer was declined by the connections of the winner, Epicharis, and those of the two runners-up. Therefore, all 20 positions and the 'also eligibles' were determined through the regular Road to the Kentucky Derby.