The official Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin Sept. 13 at the home of America's greatest race as Churchill Downs stages the 44th running of the $300,000 Iroquois (G3) 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 select qualifying races. At the conclusion of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby (G1)—the 1 1/4-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds annually held on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
The 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2, 2026.
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, there are two separate series that carve out potential spots for international horses from Japan, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. The standalone Euro/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, while 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.
At least 20 horses have entered the Run for the Roses in 24 of the last 27 years.
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 May 1, 2026, also will begin at Churchill Downs Sept. 13 with the $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G2) at one mile.
See the full Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule
