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Sovereignty after conquering the 2025 edition of the Kentucky Derby (Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The official Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will begin Saturday, Sept. 13 at the home of America’s greatest race as Churchill Downs stages the 44th running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade III) for 2-year-olds at one mile on opening weekend of its 14-day September Meet.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby, which debuted in 2013, annually awards a sliding scale of points to the top five finishing positions in select qualifying races. At the conclusion of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby – the 1 ¼-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds annually held on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
The 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Up to three spots in the starting gate may be reserved for international participants. In addition to the primary 36-race Road to the Kentucky Derby series, there are two separate series that carve out potential spots for international horses from Japan, Europe and the United Arab Emirates. The stand-alone Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby series, which concludes with the UAE Derby (GII), can produce up to two invitations to the top point-earners, while the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby can yield one runner.
Eight horses based in Japan have competed in the Kentucky Derby since the series debuted in 2017, including 2024 third-place finisher Forever Young (JPN).
At least 20 horses have entered the “Run for the Roses” in 24 of the last 27 years.
The 33-race Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, which awards points to fillies to qualify for the 152nd running of the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, May 1, 2026, also will begin at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13 with the $300,000 Pocahontas (GII) at one mile.
HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY DERBY STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that awards points to the top five finishers in each race. The top 17 point-earners will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), which is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Up to two invitations will be extended to the top point-earners in the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky presented by Woodford Reserve and one invitation will be extended to the top point-earners in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters since 1975. At least 20 horses have entered the 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-olds in 24 of the last 27 years.
2025-26 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 36 RACES
Kentucky Derby Prep Season (21 Races)
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Sept. 13, 2025 | Iroquois | Churchill Downs | III | $300,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Champagne | Aqueduct | I | $500,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Breeders’ Futurity | Keeneland | I | $650,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | American Pharoah | Santa Anita | I | $300,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 26, 2025 | Street Sense | Churchill Downs | III | $200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Breeders’ Cup Juvenile | Del Mar | I | $2,000,000 | 1 1/16 M | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Kentucky Jockey Club | Churchill Downs | II | $400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | Remsen | Aqueduct | II | $250,000 | 1 1/8 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Dec. 13, 2025 | Los Alamitos Futurity | Los Alamitos | II | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Gun Runner | Fair Grounds | Black-Type | $100,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Remington Springboard Mile | Remington Park | Listed | $300,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 3, 2026 | Jerome | Aqueduct | Black-Type | *$150,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | Smarty Jones | Oaklawn Park | Listed | $250,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | Lecomte | Fair Grounds | III | $250,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Withers | Aqueduct | Listed | *$250,000 | 1 1/8 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Robert B. Lewis | Santa Anita | III | *$200,000 | 1 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Holy Bull | Gulfstream Park | III | *$250,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Southwest | Oaklawn Park | III | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 7, 2026 | Sam F. Davis | Tampa Bay Downs | III | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 15, 2026 | Sunland Derby | Sunland Park | Listed | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 21, 2026 | John Battaglia Memorial | Turfway Park | Listed | *$175,000 | 1 1/16 M (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Kentucky Derby Championship Series (15 Races)
| 11 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Risen Star | Fair Grounds | II | $500,000 | 1 1/8 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 9 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Gotham | Aqueduct | III | *$300,000 | 1 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Fountain of Youth | Gulfstream Park | II | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | San Felipe | Santa Anita | II | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 1, 2026 | Rebel | Oaklawn Park | II | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 8 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 7, 2026 | Tampa Bay Derby | Tampa Bay Downs | III | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 7 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 14, 2026 | Virginia Derby | Colonial Downs | Black-Type | *$500,000 | 1 1/8 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 6 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 21, 2026 | Jeff Ruby Steaks | Turfway Park | III | *$777,000 | 1 1/8 M (AW) | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| March 21, 2026 | Louisiana Derby | Fair Grounds | II | $1,000,000 | 1 3/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 5 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 28, 2026 | Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park | I | *$1,000,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| March 28, 2026 | Arkansas Derby | Oaklawn Park | I | $1,500,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 4 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *April 4, 2026 | Wood Memorial | Aqueduct | II | *$750,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Blue Grass | Keeneland | I | *$1,250,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Santa Anita Derby | Santa Anita | I | *$500,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 3 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *April 11, 2026 | Lexington | Keeneland | III | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.
JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2017, the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. One invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. If a horse also qualifies through America’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series or the “Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve” series, an additional invite could be extended. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings through April 11, 2026. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Ten horses based in Japan have run in the Kentucky Derby: Ski Captain (14th, 1995); Lani (9th, 2016); Master Fencer (JPN) (6th, 2019); Crown Pride (JPN) (13th in 2022); Derma Sotogake (JPN) (6th in 2023); Mandarin Hero (JPN) (12th in 2023); Forever Young (JPN) (3rd in 2024); T O Password (JPN) (5th in 2024); Luxor Café (12th in 2025); and Admire Daytona (JPN) (19th in 2025).
2025-26 JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 4 RACES
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Cattleya | Tokyo (JRA) | *$199,591 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | Zen-NipponNisai Yushun | Kawasaki (NAR) | *$469,818 | 1 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| 10 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *Feb. 22, 2026 | Hyacinth | Tokyo (JRA) | Listed | *$244,767 | 1 M | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| 5 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 28, 2026 | Fukuryu | Nakayama (JRA) | *$230,697 | 1 1/8 M | 40 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change.
EURO/MIDEAST ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2018, the “Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. Up to two invitations to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreakers are earnings in non-restricted stakes races through April 11, 2026 followed by lifetime earnings through April 11, 2026. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Since 1967, there have been 57 horses who previously raced outside North America and ran in the Kentucky Derby. Venezuela’s Canonero II won the 1971 Derby and Puerto Rico’s Bold Forbes won the Derby in 1976. Bold Arrangement (GB), who was campaigned in Great Britain and France, finished second to Ferdinand in the 1986 renewal. Japan’s Forever Young (JPN) finished third in 2024.
2025-26 EURO/MIDEAST ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 7 RACES
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Sept. 27, 2025 | Royal Lodge | Newmarket (GB) | II | *$157,475 | 1 M (T) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Sept. 27, 2025 | Beresford | Curragh (IRE) | II | *$120,801 | 1 M (T) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 5, 2025 | Qatar Prix Jean-LucLagardère | Longchamp (FR) | I | *$432,977 | 7 F (T) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 25, 2025 | Futurity Trophy | Doncaster (GB) | I | *$275,259 | 1 M (T) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *Feb. 25, 2026 | Road to the KentuckyDerby Condition Stakes | Kempton (GB) | *$74,760 | 1 M (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| 8 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 6, 2026 | Patton | Dundalk (IRE) | *$40,122 | 1 M (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| 5 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| March 28, 2026 | UAE Derby | Meydan Racecourse | II | *$1,000,000 | 1 3/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (T) = Turf … (AW) = Synthetic.
HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY OAKS STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Oaks is a series that awards points to the top five finishers in each race. The top 14 point-earners nominated to the Longines Kentucky Oaks will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), which is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026. The 1 1/8-mile Oaks is the nation’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies. At least 14 horses have entered the race in 10 of the last 11 years (a rescheduled September 2020 is the lone exception).
2025-26 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS SCHEDULE: 33 RACES
Kentucky Oaks Prep Season (19 Races)
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Sept. 13, 2025 | Pocahontas | Churchill Downs | III | $300,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 3, 2025 | Alcibiades | Keeneland | I | $650,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Frizette | Aqueduct | I | $400,000 | 1 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Oak Leaf | Santa Anita | II | $200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 26, 2025 | Rags to Riches | Churchill Downs | Listed | $200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Breeders’ Cup Juv. Fillies | Del Mar | I | $2,000,000 | 1 1/16 M | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Golden Rod | Churchill Downs | II | $400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | Demoiselle | Aqueduct | II | $250,000 | 1 1/8 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Dec. 6, 2025 | Starlet | Los Alamitos | II | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Untapable | Fair Grounds | Black-Type | $100,000 | 1 M 70 Y | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 4, 2026 | Santa Ynez | Santa Anita | Listed | *$100,000 | 7 F | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 17, 2026 | Busanda | Aqueduct | Black-Type | *$125,000 | 1 1/8 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | Silverbulletday | Fair Grounds | Black-Type | $150,000 | 1 M 70 Y | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Martha Washington | Oaklawn Park | Listed | $300,000 | 1 1/16 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Forward Gal | Gulfstream Park | III | *$150,000 | 7 F | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 1, 2026 | Las Virgenes | Santa Anita | III | *$100,000 | 1 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 7, 2026 | Suncoast | Tampa Bay Downs | Listed | *$150,000 | 1 M 40 Y | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 15, 2026 | Sunland Park Oaks | Sunland Park | Black-Type | *$250,000 | 1 M | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 20, 2026 | Cincinnati Trophy | Turfway Park | Black-Type | *$175,000 | 1 M (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Kentucky Oaks Championship Series (14 Races)
| 11 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Rachel Alexandra | Fair Grounds | II | $300,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 10 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| Feb. 20, 2026 | UAE Oaks | Meydan Racecourse | III | *$217,840 | 1 3/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 9 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Busher | Aqueduct | Listed | *$200,000 | 1 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Davona Dale | Gulfstream Park | II | *$200,000 | 1 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 1, 2026 | Honeybee | Oaklawn Park | III | $750,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 1, 2026 | Santa Ysabel | Santa Anita | III | *$100,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 7 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *March 14, 2026 | Virginia Oaks | Colonial Downs | Black-Type | *250,000 | 1 1/16 M | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 6 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| March 21, 2026 | Fair Grounds Oaks | Fair Grounds | II | $400,000 | 1 1/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *March 21, 2026 | Bourbonette Oaks | Turfway Park | Listed | *$300,000 | 1 1/16 M (AW) | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 5 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| March 27, 2026 | Fantasy | Oaklawn Park | II | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *March 28, 2026 | Gulfstream Park Oaks | Gulfstream Park | II | *$250,000 | 1 1/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| 4 WEEKS | ||||||||||
| *April 3, 2026 | Ashland | Keeneland | I | *$750,000 | 1 1/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Gazelle | Aqueduct | III | *$200,000 | 1 1/8 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Santa Anita Oaks | Santa Anita | II | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 M | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.
