BC Juvenile to be worth double points in Ky Derby series

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The Breeders' Cup Juvenile will be worth double points in the 35-race series that determines which horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs announced the change Wednesday.

Points awarded to the top four finishers in the BC Juvenile, to be run Oct. 31 at Keeneland, will be awarded on a 20-8-4-2 basis, twice the amount given since Churchill Downs began the points series three years ago as a way to decide the 20-horse Derby field.

The BC Juvenile winner used to earn the same 10 points as the 18 other races during the prep season.

The 16 major races that comprise the series during the 10-week run-up to the Derby remain unchanged from a year ago. The increase in points to the BC Juvenile winner that was announced by the track on Wednesday is the only change from last year's series of races.