The Kentucky Derby itself is a single race featuring a maximum of 20 horses competing. However, the path to qualify for the Kentucky Derby involves a series of prep races known as the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," which consists of multiple races where horses earn points to secure a spot in the Derby starting gate. Specifically:

• The Kentucky Derby race day typically includes one main race-the Kentucky Derby-with up to 20 horses allowed to enter

• The qualification process involves a series of prep races. The Kentucky Derby Championship Series alone consists of 16 races

• More broadly, the Road to the Kentucky Derby includes a total of around 35 to 46 races, depending on the year, including prep races in North America, as well as the Japan Road and European Road to the Kentucky Derby

In summary, the Kentucky Derby event features one main race, but the qualification involves dozens of preparatory races across different series.