The Road to the Kentucky Derby gives points to the top four finishers in specified races.
[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.
Therefore, all 20 positions and the 'also eligibles' were determined through the regular Road to the Kentucky Derby.
If neither of the top three accept, this place in the starting gate reverts to the 20th-place finisher on the regular road to the Derby.