Churchill Downs announces 2026 road to Kentucky Derby, Oaks
The official road to Kentucky Derby 2026 will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs with the 44th running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Iroquois 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 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 1/4-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds annually held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.
Click here for Churchill Downs entries.
The 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2.
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, two separate series carve out potential spots for international horses from Japan, Europe and the United Arab Emirates. The stand-alone Europe-Mideast road to the Kentucky Derby series, which concludes with the UAE Derby (G2), can produce up to two invitations to the top point earners. 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.
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 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on May 1, also will begin at Churchill Downs on Saturday with the $300,000 Pocahontas (G2) at one mile.
Road to Kentucky Derby 2026
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 13, 2025 | Iroquois | Churchill Downs | 3 | $300,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Champagne | Aqueduct | 1 | $500,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Breeders' Futurity | Keeneland | 1 | $650,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | American Pharoah | Santa Anita | 1 | $300,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 26, 2025 | Street Sense | Churchill Downs | 3 | $200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile | Del Mar | 1 | $2,000,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Kentucky Jockey Club | Churchill Downs | 2 | $400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | Remsen | Aqueduct | 2 | $250,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Dec. 13, 2025 | Los Alamitos Futurity | Los Alamitos | 2 | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Gun Runner | Fair Grounds | black-type | $100,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Remington Springboard Mile | Remington Park | listed | $300,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 3, 2026 | Jerome | Aqueduct | black-type | *$150,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | Smarty Jones | Oaklawn Park | listed | $250,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | Lecomte | Fair Grounds | 3 | $250,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Withers | Aqueduct | listed | *$250,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Robert B. Lewis | Santa Anita | 3 | *$200,000 | one mile | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Holy Bull | Gulfstream Park | 3 | *$250,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Southwest | Oaklawn Park | 3 | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 7, 2026 | Sam F. Davis | Tampa Bay Downs | 3 | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Risen Star | Fair Grounds | 2 | $500,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 15, 2026 | Sunland Derby | Sunland Park | listed | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 21, 2026 | John Battaglia Memorial | Turfway Park | listed | *$175,000 | 1 1/16 miles (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Gotham | Aqueduct | 3 | *$300,000 | one mile | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Fountain of Youth | Gulfstream Park | 2 | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | San Felipe | Santa Anita | 2 | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 1, 2026 | Rebel | Oaklawn Park | 2 | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 7, 2026 | Tampa Bay Derby | Tampa Bay Downs | 3 | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 14, 2026 | Virginia Derby | Colonial Downs | black-type | *$500,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 21, 2026 | Jeff Ruby Steaks | Turfway Park | 3 | *$777,000 | 1 1/8 miles (AW) | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| March 21, 2026 | Louisiana Derby | Fair Grounds | 2 | $1,000,000 | 1 3/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *March 28, 2026 | Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park | 1 | *$1,000,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| March 28, 2026 | Arkansas Derby | Oaklawn Park | 1 | $1,500,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Wood Memorial | Aqueduct | 2 | *$750,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Blue Grass | Keeneland | 1 | *$1,250,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Santa Anita Derby | Santa Anita | 1 | *$500,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 11, 2026 | Lexington | Keeneland | 3 | *$400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Japan road to Kentucky Derby 2026
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Cattleya | Tokyo | *US$199,591 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Dec. 17, 2025 | Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun | Kawasaki | *US$469,818 | one mile | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| *Feb. 22, 2026 | Hyacinth | Tokyo | listed | *US$244,767 | one mile | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| *March 28, 2026 | Fukuryu | Nakayama | *US$230,697 | 1 1/8 miles | 40 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Europe-Mideast road to Kentucky Derby 2026
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 27, 2025 | Royal Lodge | Newmarket | 2 | *US$157,475 | one mile (turf) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Sept. 27, 2025 | Beresford | Curragh | 2 | *US$120,801 | one mile (turf) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 5, 2025 | Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère | Longchamp | 1 | *US$432,977 | seven furlongs (turf) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 25, 2025 | Futurity Trophy | Doncaster | 1 | *US$275,259 | one mile (turf) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Feb. 25, 2026 | Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes | Kempton | *US$74,760 | one mile (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| *March 6, 2026 | Patton | Dundalk | *US$40,122 | one mile (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| March 28, 2026 | UAE Derby | Meydan Racecourse | 2 | *US$1,000,000 | 1 3/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026
| Date | Race | Racetrack | Grade | Purse | Distance | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 13, 2025 | Pocahontas | Churchill Downs | 3 | $300,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 3, 2025 | Alcibiades | Keeneland | 1 | $650,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Frizette | Aqueduct | 1 | $400,000 | one mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 | Oak Leaf | Santa Anita | 2 | $200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 26, 2025 | Rags to Riches | Churchill Downs | listed | $200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Breeders' Cup Juv. Fillies | Del Mar | 1 | $2,000,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| November 29, 2025 | Golden Rod | Churchill Downs | 2 | $400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 | Demoiselle | Aqueduct | 2 | $250,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Dec. 6, 2025 | Starlet | Los Alamitos | 2 | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dec. 20, 2025 | Untapable | Fair Grounds | black-type | $100,000 | one mile and 70 yards | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 4, 2026 | Santa Ynez | Santa Anita | listed | *$100,000 | seven furlongs | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| *Jan. 17, 2026 | Busanda | Aqueduct | black-type | *$125,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 17, 2026 | Silverbulletday | Fair Grounds | black-type | $150,000 | one mile and 70 yards | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Martha Washington | Oaklawn Park | listed | $300,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Jan. 31, 2026 | Forward Gal | Gulfstream Park | 3 | *$150,000 | seven furlongs | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 1, 2026 | Las Virgenes | Santa Anita | 3 | *$100,000 | one mile | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 7, 2026 | Suncoast | Tampa Bay Downs | listed | *$150,000 | one mile and 40 yards | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Feb. 14, 2026 | Rachel Alexandra | Fair Grounds | 2 | $300,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 15, 2026 | Sunland Park Oaks | Sunland Park | black-type | *$250,000 | one mile | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Feb. 20, 2026 | Cincinnati Trophy | Turfway Park | black-type | *$175,000 | one mile (AW) | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Feb. 20, 2026 | UAE Oaks | Meydan Racecourse | 3 | *$217,840 | 1 3/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Busher | Aqueduct | listed | *$200,000 | one mile | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *Feb. 28, 2026 | Davona Dale | Gulfstream Park | 2 | *$200,000 | one mile | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 1, 2026 | Honeybee | Oaklawn Park | 3 | $750,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 1, 2026 | Santa Ysabel | Santa Anita | 3 | *$100,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| *March 14, 2026 | Virginia Oaks | Colonial Downs | black-type | *250,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 21, 2026 | Fair Grounds Oaks | Fair Grounds | 2 | $400,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *March 21, 2026 | Bourbonette Oaks | Turfway Park | listed | *$300,000 | 1 1/16 miles (AW) | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| March 27, 2026 | Fantasy | Oaklawn Park | 2 | $1,000,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *March 28, 2026 | Gulfstream Park Oaks | Gulfstream Park | 2 | *$250,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 3, 2026 | Ashland | Keeneland | 1 | *$750,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Gazelle | Aqueduct | 3 | *$200,000 | 1 1/8 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
| *April 4, 2026 | Santa Anita Oaks | Santa Anita | 2 | *$200,000 | 1 1/16 miles | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
* Race dates, distances and purses are to be announced by host track. Tables are based on recent historical placement and subject to change.