Derby News

The Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby kicks into another gear in Dubai on Friday, with the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan.

Thirty-nine horses were individually-named options in this week’s Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3, but the winner of the only Derby points-scoring race wasn’t one of them.

Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s homebred Golden Tempo announced himself as a major player on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.

Fair Grounds hosts "Road to Derby Day" on Saturday with scoring races toward both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

The second of four 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers taking place at Fair Grounds is Saturday’s $250,000 Lecomte (G3).

Although it’s not an official Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita is nevertheless an important stop on the path to the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1).

So, if anything, the picture is a little murkier this week. However, we do see some notable changes among Derby contenders.

John C. Oxley’s homebred Strategic Risk aced his first test on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail in Saturday’s $250,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.

My World was put to the test in Saturday’s $139,500 Jerome S. but ultimately proved best, earning his first points toward a Kentucky Derby berth.

We’ve reached the end of 2025, and the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders for 2026 are in their final days as juveniles.