Graded stakes earnings are used to determine the order of preference for which horses are drawn into the Kentucky Derby if there are more than 20 horses, the maximum allowed number of starters, entered into the race. Below is a list of the contenders with graded earnings of $50,000 or more through April 27, 2008, with a link to a profile where available. All the graded preps are over now, unless someone tries to go in the Withers and back to the Derby on one week of rest. Horses who have been taken off the Triple Crown Trail are omitted. Proud Spell, who was #2 with $880,000 in earnings, has committed to the Kentucky Oaks now, so is off the list. Behindatthebar, who was #19 with $204,500 in earnings, will skip the Derby and go to the Preakness next.
- Pyro ... $1,020,000
- Tale of Ekati ... $738,000
- Colonel John ... $720,000
- Gayego ... $640,000
- Big Brown ... $600,000
- Z Humor ... $579,000
- Monba ... $515,000
- Court Vision ... $331,872
- Z Fortune ... $329,000
- Adriano ... $310,000
- Recapturetheglory ... $300,000
- Smooth Air ... $290,000
- Salute the Sarge ... $258,940
- Cool Coal Man ... $212,767
- Anak Nakal ... $212,216
- Eight Belles (filly) ... $210,000
- Cowboy Cal ... $207,660
- Massive Drama ... $205,200
- Visionaire ... $202,500
- Big Truck ... $194,500
- Bob Black Jack ... $180,000
- Denis of Cork ... $165,000
- Halo Najib ... $157,996
- Indian Sun ... $154,000
- Tomcito ... $151,292
- My Pal Charlie ... $150,000
- El Gato Malo ... $145,000
- Hey Byrn ... $140,000
- Atoned ... $130,000
- Riley Tucker ... $121,900
- Tres Borrachos ... $118,000
- Golden Yank ... $115,000
- Yankee Bravo ... $105,000
- Racecar Rhapsody ... $107,121
- Kentucky Bear ... $75,000
