Get Up Early for the First International Prep Races 🐎🌹

Grab your coffee for Saturday morning prep races

This email was sent

September 25, 2026 3:00pm EDT

Is this your brand on Milled? Claim it.

Matte tone:

View in Browser

Saturday, May 1, 2027
Looking for Tickets? Click Here!

PLAN
YOUR VISIT

WATCH
AND PARTY

PLACE
A WAGER

EXPLORE
TICKETS

First International Races of the Derby Prep Season

Newmarket, Royal Lodge | Race 2, Post Time: 8:55 AM ET

Aidan O’Brien is chasing history with Haffner, who could give the trainer his eighth Royal Lodge win. But it has been a while since O’Brien last won this race, back in 2019, and recent editions have gone the way of British-based trainers.

Haffner brings plenty of intrigue. The Kentucky-bred colt is by Triple Crown champion Justify and sold for $375,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September.

Curragh, Beresford | Race 4, Post Time: 10:10 AM ET

Aidan O’Brien continues chasing history in the Beresford, winning it a record 22 times. He added to that total last year with Hawk Mountain, and this Saturday he brings serious strength in numbers with half the field coming from his Ballydoyle yard. His leading hopes look to be Noble Exhibit and Shakespeare.

Read the Previews

Ten to Follow on the Road to the 2027 Derby

Here are 10 juveniles who could continue to progress as the calendar turns to 2027 and the prep race distances increase. Going by location rather than trying to assign premature rankings, here are the contenders to watch from Saratoga, heading across the country to Del Mar, and ending with Ellis Park graduates who will square off in the Iroquois.

Follow Contenders

Yoshito Yahagi & Forever Young Prove They Are Ready to Defend Breeders' Cup Classic Crown

Japan’s dirt star Forever Young added another historic win in the $935,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Trainer Yoshito Yahagi had the globetrotting standout ready for the moment as he builds toward defending his Breeders’ Cup Classic title October 31 at Keeneland.

Yahagi confirmed plans to continue Forever Young’s Breeders’ Cup preparations at Belmont before shipping to the Bluegrass.

“You know Belmont Park complex has a great society and good for training, so we will try to stay until October 20. Then we will fly from here to Keeneland on October 20, so we will prepare here.”

Learn More

Download the Churchill Downs Racetrack App

iPhone^® | Android^™

Churchill Downs | The Kentucky Derby

This email was sent to - because you opted in to a mail list for Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Derby, entered a Churchill Downs or Kentucky Derby contest, or have purchased tickets to Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs Racetrack | 700 Central Ave | Louisville, KY 40208-1200, US

Get Up Early for the First International Prep Races 🐎🌹

Grab your coffee for Saturday morning prep races

Recent emails from Kentucky Derby