Kentucky Derby News

A small but strong field has assembled for Saturday’s $650,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier awarding 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers.

Kentucky Oaks qualifying points will be awarded in a trio of high-profile races this weekend, the Alcibiades (G1) will be offered Friday and the Frizette (G1) and Oak Leaf (G2) Saturday.

The 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby is underway, and qualifying points will be offered in a trio of anticipated Grade 1 stakes for two-year-olds on Saturday: the American Pharoah, Breeders’ Futurity, and Champagne.

Six-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Bob Baffert conditions four of the six horses entered in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.

Some of the most promising two-year-olds in training will face off in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) racing one mile at Belmont Park.

Haffner, a son of Justify, captured the Royal Lodge (G2) at Newmarket, and stablemate Noble Exhibit rolled in the Beresford (G2) to turn the double for renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The 2026-27 European Road to the Kentucky Derby gets underway on Saturday with a pair of qualifiers on grass.

The September Meet at Churchill Downs reaches its final weekend with a stakes-filled Saturday beneath the Twin Spires.

European-based juveniles will have their first opportunities to score points toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday at Newmarket and the Curragh.

An especially well-matched cast of eight talented runners will travel the one-turn mile on the dirt at Churchill Downs on Saturday in the $400,000 Ack Ack (G3).