The official Road to the Kentucky Derby, sponsored by Woodford Reserve, kicks off this Saturday at the iconic Churchill Downs with the 45th edition of the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade 3) for two-year-olds, contested over one mile, marking the start of the 14-day September Meet. Since its inception in 2013, the Road to the Kentucky Derby awards points to the top five finishers in designated qualifying races, creating a leaderboard that ultimately decides which 20 horses secure spots in the prestigious Kentucky Derby—a 1¼-mile race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds held every first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The 153rd Kentucky Derby, with a prize of $5 million and presented by Woodford Reserve, is set for Saturday, May 1, 2027. Up to three positions in the starting gate are reserved for international contenders. Besides the main points series, there are two separate international pathways: the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby, culminating in the UAE Derby (Grade 2), which offers up to two spots, and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, which provides one potential entry. The schedule for the Euro/Mideast series will be released soon.
In 25 of the last 28 years, at least 20 horses have entered the “Run for the Roses.” Meanwhile, the Road to the Kentucky Oaks—designed to qualify fillies for the 153rd Longines Kentucky Oaks, a 1⅛-mile race held on Friday, April 30, 2027—also begins at Churchill Downs on Saturday with the $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes (Grade 3).
Road to the Kentucky Derby Key Qualifying Races and Points (Top 5 finishes)
- Belmont Park (Elmont, NY): Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10)*
- Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY): Street Sense (10-5-3-2-1), Kentucky Jockey Club (10-5-3-2-1)
- Colonial Downs (New Kent, VA): Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5)*
- Fair Grounds (New Orleans, LA): Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5), Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10)
- Gulfstream Park (Hallandale Beach, FL): Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5), Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10)
- Keeneland (Lexington, KY): Breeders’ Futurity (10-5-3-2-1), Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (30-15-9-6-3), Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10)*
- Los Alamitos (Cypress, CA): Los Alamitos Futurity (10-5-3-2-1)
- Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs, AR): Smarty Jones (10-5-3-2-1), Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10)*
- Remington Park (Oklahoma City, OK): Remington Springboard Mile (10-5-3-2-1)
- Santa Anita (Arcadia, CA): American Pharoah (10-5-3-2-1), Robert B. Lewis (20-10-6-4-2), San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5), Santa Anita Derby (100-50-25-15-10)
- Sunland Park (Sunland Park, NM): Sunland Park Derby (20-10-6-4-2)
- Tampa Bay Downs (Tampa, FL): Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2), Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5)*
- Turfway Park (Florence, KY): John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2), Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10)*
(*) Championship Series races carry higher points.
Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Races (Top 5 points)
- Kawasaki (NAR, Kanagawa): Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun (20-10-6-4-2)
- Nakayama (JRA, Chiba)
- Tokyo (JRA, Tokyo)
Road to the Kentucky Oaks Key Qualifying Races and Points (Top 5 finishes)
- Belmont Park (Elmont, NY): Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10)*
- Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY): Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1)
- Colonial Downs (New Kent, VA): Virginia Oaks (50-25-15-10-5)*
- Fair Grounds (New Orleans, LA): Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2), Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5), Fair Grounds Oaks (100-50-25-15-10)
- Gulfstream Park (Hallandale Beach, FL): Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2), Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5), Gulfstream Park Oaks (100-50-25-15-10)
- Keeneland (Lexington, KY): Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3), Ashland (100-50-25-15-10)*
- Meydan Racecourse (Dubai, UAE): UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5)*
- Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs, AR): Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2), Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5), Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10)
- Santa Anita (Arcadia, CA): Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2), Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5), Santa Anita Oaks (100-50-25-15-10)
- Sunland Park (Sunland Park, NM): Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2)
- Turfway Park (Florence, KY): Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2), Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5)*
(*) Denotes Championship Series races.
(This story was first published by Paulick Report on September 10, 2026, in their News section. You can add Paulick Report as a preferred source for updates.)
Fan Take:
This news is a thrilling reminder of how the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues to shape the next generation of racing stars, blending tradition with worldwide competition. For fans, the evolving international pathways and the rigor of the qualifying series represent exciting opportunities to witness fresh talent emerge and elevate the sport on a global stage.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
