Kentucky Derby

US · kentuckyderby.com

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Returns Saturday 🐎🌹

9 promising two-year-olds look for the first points under the Spires.

This email was sent

September 11, 2026 12:01pm 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

Bob Baffert's Undefeated Salahudin Headlines the
Iroquois Stakes

Churchill Downs, Race 10, Post Time: 5:29 PM ET

The Road to Kentucky Derby 153 will get underway Saturday with a field of nine 2-year-olds entered in the 45^th running of the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade III), led by Zedan Racing Stables’ undefeated Ellis Park Juvenile winner Salahudin.

Saturday’s stacked 11-race program includes four other stakes contests including the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (GII), $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII), $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (Listed) and $300,000 Open Mind (Listed). The action gets underway at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern)

Manuka Honey Looks to Stay Unbeaten in Pocahontas

Churchill Downs, Race 8, Post Time: 4:26 PM ET

The eye-catching seven-length Ellis Park Debutante winner Manuka Honey headlines a field of nine 2-year-old fillies in the Saturday’s 58^th running of the $300,000 Pocahontas (Grade III), the kickoff leg on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Read the Preview

Study Guide | Iroquois Stakes

Blessed Flyer is unbeaten in two starts, most notably rallying to win the six-furlong Bashford Manor S. at Churchill Downs by a head over Iroquois rival He Is No Lie. But Blessed Flyer hasn’t raced since June, and the Iroquois is a quarter-mile longer than the Bashford Manor, so Blessed Flyer has meaningful obstacles to overcome.

See the Study Guide

Iroquois Past Performances

Expert Pick of the Week | Salahudin

Salahudin is a perfect 2-for-2 after two impressive wins at Ellis Park, including a dominant 4 ½-length victory in the Juvenile Stakes. Now, the Bob Baffert-trained colt takes on a new challenge: his first race at a mile.

See the Full Pick

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

First Steps to the First Saturday in May

This Saturday at Churchill Downs, the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks begin with the Iroquois and Pocahontas. It is the first glimpse of the journey that leads back to the Twin Spires on the first weekend in May.

Select Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks two-day packages are now available. Because when the roses and lilies are on the line, there is no place like Churchill Downs.

Browse Seating Experiences

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

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Returns Saturday 🐎🌹

9 promising two-year-olds look for the first points under the Spires.

Recent emails from Kentucky Derby