ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND KENTUCKY OAKS
20 thoroughbred horses will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to run in the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026.
2025-2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks
View the Full Prep Race Schedule for the 152nd Running of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby below!*
*Race Schedule is Subject to Change
UPDATE
Kentucky Derby & Oaks Prep Races Season 2025-2026
Rebel (March 1, 2026)
Gotham (February 28, 2026)
San Felipe (March 7, 2026)
Fountain of Youth (February 28, 2026)
ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby (March 7, 2026)
Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes (February 25, 2026)
Jeff Ruby Steaks (March 21, 2026)
Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (March 21, 2026)
Florida Derby (March 28, 2026)
Arkansas Derby (March 28, 2026)
Wood Memorial (April 4, 2026)
Blue Grass (April 4, 2026)
Santa Anita Derby (April 4, 2026)
Lexington (April 11, 2026)
UAE Derby (March 28, 2026)
Hyacinth (February 22, 2026)
Fukuryu (March 28, 2026)
Honeybee (March 1, 2026)
Davona Dale (February 28, 2026)
Busher (February 28, 2026)
Santa Ysabel (March 1, 2026)
Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks (March 21, 2026)
Bourbonette Oaks (March 21, 2026)
Gulfstream Park Oaks (March 28, 2026)
Fantasy (March 27, 2026)
Ashland (April 3, 2026)
Gazelle (April 4, 2026)
Santa Anita Oaks (April 4, 2026)
Virginia Derby (March 14, 2026)
Virginia Oaks (March 14, 2026)
The Patton (February 27, 2026)
September 2025
Iroquois Stakes
September 13, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Spice Runner
Beresford Stakes
September 27, 2025
Curragh • Kildare, Ireland
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Hawk Mountain
The Royal Lodge Stakes
September 27, 2025
Newmarket • Suffolk, England, UK
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Bow Echo
October 2025
American Pharoah
October 4, 2025
Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Intrepido
Champagne
October 4, 2025
Belmont At the Big A • Elmont, NY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Napoleon Solo
Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity
October 4, 2025
Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Ted Noffey
Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
October 5, 2025
ParisLongchamp • Paris, France
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Puerto Rico
The Futurity Trophy Stakes
October 25, 2025
Doncaster • Doncaster, England, UK
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Hawk Mountain
Street Sense
October 26, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Incredibolt
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
October 31, 2025
Del Mar • Del Mar, CA, USA
Points: 30-15-9-6-3
Winner: Ted Noffey
November 2025
Cattleya
November 29, 2025
Tokyo Racecourse • Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Satono Voyage
Kentucky Jockey Club
November 29, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Further Ado
September 2025
Pocahontas
September 13, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Taken by the Wind
October 2025
Darley Alcibiades Stakes
October 3, 2025
Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Tommy Jo
Frizette
October 4, 2025
Belmont At the Big A • Elmont, NY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Iron Orchard
Oak Leaf
October 4, 2025
Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Explora
Rags to Riches
October 26, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Life of Joy
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
October 31, 2025
Del Mar • Del Mar, CA, USA
Points: 30-15-9-6-3
Winner: Super Corredora
November 2025
Golden Rod
November 29, 2025
Churchill Downs • Louisville, KY, USA
Points: 10-5-3-2-1
Winner: Bella Ballerina
The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that awards points to the Top 5 finishers in each race.
Road to the Derby and Oaks Information
Each year 20 horses have the once in a lifetime chance to run in the Kentucky Derby. To earn a spot in the starting gate, they must travel along the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races at tracks across the country and around the world. Points are awarded to the top five finishers in each race. The 20 horses with the most points will earn a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.
Learn more about the Road to the Kentucky Derby and how horses get in the Oaks and Derby starting gate.
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