Churchill Downs Begins Serious Countdown to ’26 Kentucky Derby With Major Preps This Weekend

(Nearly returns Saturday in G1 Florida Derby / Photo Courtesy of Gulfstream Park)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

Brisnet Free Past Performances (copy and paste into web browser):

Saturday’s Florida Derby (GP 14 at 6:42 p.m. ET)

https://www.twinspires.com/documents/brisnet/past-performances/FloridaDerby_GulfstreamPark_ultimatepps_2026.pdf

Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (OP 13 at 7:48 p.m. ET):

https://www.twinspires.com/documents/brisnet/past-performances/ArkansasDerby_OaklawnPark_ultimatepps_2026.pdf

GLOBAL PREPS HIGHLIGHT FINAL PUSH ON ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, March 26, 2026) – Time is winding down on the Road to the Kentucky Derby for horses to qualify for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on May 2, and Saturday’s quartet of international prep races will help tell the story on several candidates for the 1 ¼-mile classic on the first Saturday in May.

          Saturday’s action includes two Championship Series races stateside – the Arkansas Derby (GI) and Florida Derby (GI), both worth 100 points to the winner and a spot in the field for Kentucky Derby 152. Also on Saturday, the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby concludes with the UAE Derby (GII) and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby closes with the Fukuryu Stakes.

          The top 17 point earners on the traditional Road to the Kentucky Derby are guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby with a possible two invitational spots on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby and one invitation on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

          After this weekend’s action, only four races remain on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH TOP TWO COMMANDMENT, CHIEF WALLABEE RETURN FOR FLORIDA DERBY – Fountain of Youth top two finishers Commandment and Chief Wallabee headline Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (GI) at Gulfstream Park, one of the most productive prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The Florida Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles, is the 14^th and final race on Saturday’s Gulfstream Park card with a post time of 6:42 p.m. The top five finishers will earn qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the 152^nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Michael and Katherine Ball’s Chief Wallabee will attempt to turn the tables on Commandment on Saturday as the 2-1 morning line favorite. Trained by Bill Mott, the homebred son of 2014 Florida Derby winner Constitution won his debut by 1 ½ lengths Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park over fellow Florida Derby rival The Puma and then finished a fast-closing neck behind Commandment in the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth. Jockey Junior Alvarado will ride from post No. 2.

Commandment has won his last three starts for Wathnan Racing and trainer Brad Cox. The son of Into Mischief began his win streak Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs with a 5 ¼-length maiden special weight victory and then followed that effort with a 6 ¾-length score in the Mucho Macho Man (Listed). Flavien Prat will ride for the first time from post 4.

Cox won last year’s Florida Derby with Tappan Street, who defeated the Mott-trained eventual Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Sovereignty by 1 ¼ lengths.

Also entered is Centennial Farm’s Holy Bull (GIII) winner Nearly. Trained by record eight-time Florida Derby winner ToddPletcher, Nearly has won his last three starts dating back to Nov. 22 when he broke his maiden by 9 ¼ lengths against Florida-bred company at Gulfstream Park. Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez has the mount from post 6.

Pletcher has been dominant in the Florida Derby. He earned his first victory in 2007 with Scat Daddy and has since added wins with Constitution (2014), Materiality (2015), Always Dreaming (2017), Audible (2018), Known Agenda (2021), Forte (2023) and Fierceness(2024).

The Florida Derby from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

• Albus (Tyler Gaffalione, Riley Mott, 20-1)
• Chief Wallabee (Alvarado, Bill Mott, 2-1)
• Wayne’s Law (Marco Meneses, Amador Sanchez, 15-1)
• Commandment (Prat, Cox, 5-2)
• Redland Rebels (Joel Rosario, Patrick Biancone, 15-1)
• Nearly (Velazquez, Pletcher, 3-1)
• Timeless Victory (Jose Morelos, Ed Plesa Jr., 20-1)
• The Puma (Javier Castellano, Gustavo Delgado, 9-2)
• Gregarious (Rajiv Maragh, Jose Castro, 50-1)

          Trainer Patrick Biancone reported Redland Rebels would be scratched and run in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn.

          Gregarious, Timeless Victory and Wayne’s Law are not currently nominated to the Triple Crown but their connections can make them eligible with a $6,000 late payment due Monday, April 6.

          The Florida Derby is the most productive Kentucky Derby prep, producing 26 winners including 15 who won both races. The next best prep races are the Blue Grass and Champagne, which produced 23 winners. The top five is rounded out by the Hopeful and Wood Memorial, each producing 20 Derby winners.

RENEGADE MADE 3-2 MORNING LINE FAVORITE IN SATURDAY’S ARKANSAS DERBY – Robert and Lawana Low and Repole Stable’s impressive Sam F. Davis Stakes (Listed) winner Renegade was tabbed as the heavy 3-2 morning line choice against a competitive field of nine 3-year-olds assembled in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn.

          The 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby is the final stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the Natural State. The race awards the top five finishers qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).

          Renegade, trained by five-time Arkansas Derby-winning conditioner Todd Pletcher, scored a 3 ¾-length victory in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis and was second to Paladin as a 2-year-old in the Dec. 6 Remsen (GII). The son of Into Mischief will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. out of post No. 6.

          Pletcher first won the Arkansas Derby in 2000 with Graeme Hall and has since been victorious with Balto Star (2001), Overanalyze(2013), Danza (2014) and Magnum Moon (2018). The latter was owned by the Lows.

          Chief among his rivals in the race appears to be John Oxley’s Southwest (GIII) winner Silent Tactic. Trained by two-time Arkansas Derby winner Mark Casse, Silent Tactic pulled a 12-1 upset in the Feb. 6 Southwest when he defeated Soldier N Diplomat by 3 ¼ lengths. Earlier this month in the Rebel (GII), Silent Tactic finished a scant nose behind Class President in the Rebel (GII). The son of Tacitus will be ridden Saturday by Cristian Torres out of post 2.

          Casse won the Arkansas Derby last year with eventual Kentucky Derby seventh place finisher Sandman. His other victory in the race came from Classic Empire in 2017, who would finish fourth in that year’s Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness.

          The Arkansas Derby field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

• Redland Rebels (Keith Asmussen, Patrick Biancone, 15-1)
• Silent Tactic (Cristian Torres, Casse, 5-2)
• Blackout Time (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 6-1)
• Bricklin (Jaime Torres, Rodolphe Brisset, 20-1)
• Taptastic (Erik Asmussen, Steve Asmussen, 20-1)
• Renegade (Ortiz, Pletcher, 3-2)
• Napoleon Solo (Kendrick Carmouche, Chad Summers, 6-1)
• Exosome (Adam Beschizza, Kelsey Danner, 20-1)
• Litmus Test (Francisco Arrieta, Bob Baffert, 5-1)

          Trainer Chad Summers reported Napoleon Solo would be scratched from the Arkansas Derby and instead target the April 4 Wood Memorial (GII) at Aqueduct.

          Taptastic is not currently nominated to the Triple Crown but his connections can make him eligible with a $6,000 late payment due Monday, April 6.

          The Arkansas Derby will be the 13^th race on Oaklawn’s 14-race program with a post time of 7:48 p.m. ET.

EURO/MIDEAST ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY CONCLUDES SATURDAY WITH UAE DERBY – Brunetti DuganStables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson and Swinbank Stables’ UAE 2000 Guineas (GIII) winner Six Speed headlines a field of 12 3-year-olds entered in Saturday’s $1 million UAE Derby (Grade II) at Meydan Racecourse, the final leg of the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby.

          Run at 1 3/16 miles, the UAE Derby awards the top five finishers qualifying points on a 100-60-30-15-10 scale toward a possible invitation to compete in the 152^nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (GI) on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs. The UAE Derby field goes to post at 9:35 a.m. ET.

          Six Speed, one of four Bhupat Seemar trainees in the race, dominated the UAE 2000 Guineas by five lengths. Overall, the son of Not This Time has won three of his four starts, all at Meydan Racecourse. Jockey Mickael Barzalona has the mount Saturday and will break from gate No. 2.

          Seemar also entered Stables of King Abdullah bin A’Aziz Sons’ Salloom in the UAE Derby. The talented son of Authentic won his debut by 6 ¾ lengths at Meydan but was a late scratch as the favorite from the Feb. 20 Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes after acting up in the starting gate. Tadhg O’Shea rides out of gate 6.

          The other Seemar-trained horses in the race are RRR Racing’s Rammaas and Suited & Booted – My Future ChampionsRacing’s Lino Padrino.

          Another top entrant in the race is Godolphin’s Pyromancer (JPN). A winner of the Dec. 17 Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby at Kawasaki Racecourse, Pyromancer will be ridden by James Doyle from gate 9.

          The field for the UAE Derby in order of gate draw (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds)

• Lino Padrino (Ruchard Mullen, Seemar, 21-1)
• Six Speed (Barzalona, Seemar, 3-1)
• Rammaas (Adrie de Vries, Seemar, 40-1)
• Union Security (Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash, 70-1)
• Wonder Dean (JPN) (Cristian Demuro, Daisuke Takayanagi, 12-1)
• Salloom (O’Shea, Seemar, 4-1)
• Devon Island (William Buick, Charlie Appleby, 8-1)
• Labwah (Bernardo Pinheiro, Salem bin Ghadayer, 9-2)
• Pyromancer (Doyle, Deji Yoshimura, 5-2)
• Duke of Immatin (Silvestre De Sousa, Musabbeh Al Mheiri, 50-1)
• Brotherly Love (GB) (Saffie Osborne, Jamie Osborne, 12-1)
• Go Man (FR) (Anthony Crastus, Richard Chotard, 21-1)

          The Euro/Mideast Road to Kentucky Derby awards up to two invitations to compete in the Kentucky Derby, with preference given to the horses with the most points in the series. Early nominees to the Triple Crown are Six Speed, Lino Padrino, Wonder Dean (JPN), Pyromancer (JPN) and Salloom.

JAPAN ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY CONCLUDES WITH SATURDAY’S FUKURYU AT NAKAYAMA – Danox Co. Ltd.’s undefeated Danon Bourbon will attempt to qualify for Kentucky Derby 152 as the headliner in Saturday’s Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse, the closing leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

          The Fukuryu Stakes, run at about 1 1/8 miles, is Nakayama’s 10^th race with a post time of 2:10 a.m. ET.

          As of Thursday morning, there were 10 possible entries for the race including Danon Bourbon, Masaru Shimada’s 10-length allowance winner Charlie (JPN) and the top three finishers of the Hyacinth Stakes: Godolphin’s Lucky Kid (JPN), Koichi Yamada’s Don Erectus (JPN) and SMS Group Co. Ltd.’s Itterasshai (JPN).

          Post positions were to be drawn later Thursday.

          The possible field in alphabetical order (with jockey, trainer and predicted odds according to Netkeiba.com):

• Charlie (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire, Takeshi Okumura, 3-1)
• Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura, Manabu Ikezoe, 9-2)
• Libeccio (JPN) (Yuga Kawada, Haruki Sugiyama, 5-1)
• Don Erectus (JPN) (Kiwamu Ogino, Noboru Takagi, 6-1)
• Sunrise Kevin (JPN) (Fuma Matsuwaka, Osamu Hirata, 7-1)
• Itterasshai (JPN) (Takeshi Vokoyama, Makoto Saito, 7-1)
• Lucky Kid (JPN) (Akihide Tsumura, Yukihiro Kato, 20-1)
• Thunder Wind (JPN) (Yuji Tannai, Noboru Takagi, 33-1)
• T O Kaiser (JPN) (Daisuke Sasaki, Daisuke Takayanagi, 38-1)
• American Style (Mick Dee, Hideaki Fujiwara, 53-1)

          The Fukuryu Stakes awards the top five finishers qualifying points on a 40-20-12-8-4 scale toward a spot in the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby. The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby awards one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby, with preference given to the horses with the most points in the series.

          Early Triple Crown nominees are Lucky Kid (JPN), Itterasshai (JPN), Danon Bourbon, Libeccio (JPN) and T O Kaiser (JPN).

WHERE TO WATCH FLORIDA DERBY

• Watch live, on-site coverage of the Florida Derby on NBCSN, Peacock and FanDuel TV
• Watch and wager on the Florida Derby on www.twinspires.com.

WHERE TO WATCH ARKANSAS DERBY

• Watch live, on-site coverage of the Arkansas Derby on FS1 and FanDuel TV
• Watch and wager on the Arkansas Derby on www.twinspires.com.

WHERE TO WATCH UAE DERBY

• Watch live coverage of the UAE Derby on FS2 and FanDuel TV
• Watch and wager on the UAE Derby on www.twinspires.com.

KEY RACES TO WATCH TO WATCH – This weekend there are several races around the world that could have implications on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Here are some of the key races:

          Thursday

• OP 8 (5:19 p.m.), $200,000 Hot Springs, 3yo, 1 M (seven entries)

          Friday

• GP 7 (3:53 p.m.), OC 75000n1x, 3yo, 1 M (six entries)
• OP 11 (6:54 p.m.), $1 million Fantasy (GII), 3yo f, 1 1/16 M (six entries)

          Saturday

• Nak 10 (2:10 a.m.), $230,697 Fukuryu Stakes, 3yo, 1 1/8 M (10 entries)
• Mey 4 (9:30 a.m.), $1 million UAE Derby (GII), 3yo, 1 3/16 M (12 entries)
• GP 9 (3:31 p.m.), $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII), 3yo f, 1 1/16 M (seven entries)
• GP 14 (6:42 p.m.), $1 million Florida Derby (GI), 3yo, 1 1/8 M (nine entries)
• OP 13 (7:48 p.m.), $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (GI), 3yo, 1 1/8 M (nine entries)

ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

          Here are the Top 20 horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard including a possible three invitational spots, two from the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby and one from Japan:

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues Friday at Oaklawn with the $1 million Fantasy (GII) and Saturday with the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII). Both races award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale toward the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI). … St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing’s Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort arrived at trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 at Churchill Downs from Turfway Park on Tuesday afternoon. The colt is expected to return to the track in the coming days. Also returning to Barn 22 earlier that morning from Fair Grounds was Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) winner Life of Joy. … Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe and John Cilia’s Louisiana Derby fifth-place finisher Chip Honchoarrived at Churchill Downs early Tuesday morning from Fair Grounds. Trainer Steve Asmussen reported plans are still being finalized for the colt’s next start in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes.

UPCOMING ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY RACES

April 4 (four weeks out) – $1.25 million Blue Grass (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Keeneland (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Brant (Bob Baffert); Class President (Todd Pletcher); Creole Chrome (Joe Sharp); Further Ado (Brad Cox); Great White (John Ennis); Paladin (Chad Brown); Reagan’s Honor (Cherie DeVaux); and Talkin (Danny Gargan). Entries to be taken and post positions to be drawn Tuesday.

April 4 (four weeks out) – $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Cherokee Nation (Bob Baffert); Express Kid (Justin Evans); Intrepido (Jeff Mullins); Potente (Bob Baffert); Robusta (Doug O’Neill); Secured Freedom (Tim Yakteen); So Happy (Mark Glatt); and Start the Ride (Dan Blacker). Entries to be taken and post positions to be drawn Monday.

April 4 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII), 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Bravaro (Saffie Joseph Jr.); Buetane (Bob Baffert); Civil Liberty (Doug O’Neill); Courting (Todd Pletcher); Creole Chrome (Joe Sharp); Iron Honor (Chad Brown); Napoleon Solo (Chad Summers); Ottinho (Chad Brown); Red Zone Runner (Hugo Padilla); Right to Party (Kenny McPeek); Taj Mahal (Brittany Russell); and Talk to Me Jimmy (Rudy Rodriguez). Entries to be taken and post positions to be drawn Sunday.

April 11 (three weeks out) – $400,000 Lexington (GIII), 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland (Top 5 points: 20-10-6-4-2)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Canaletto (Chad Brown); and Grittiness (Todd Pletcher).

Note: The possible fields for upcoming Kentucky Derby Championship Series races are fluid as owners and trainers vie for points. Known possible horses mentioned to be under consideration for each race are based on published news reports and other sources. Horses listed initalics are possible for multiple races.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.