On Saturday, Oaklawn Park hosts the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, the track’s fourth and final qualifying points prep race for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The 1 1/8-mile race offers a total of 200 points to the top five finishers toward reserving a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, distributed on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.
Category: Horse Racing News
Stars of Yesterday: Looking Back at Best Florida Derby Winners
One of the preeminent prep races on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be held at Gulfstream Park, which hosts the Grade 1, $1 million Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa.
Women in Racing: ‘Traditionalist’ Shannon Arvin Leading Keeneland to Record Heights
Keeneland President and Chief Executive Officer Shannon Arvin was working with Chief Financial Officer Hunter Stout last autumn when he mentioned in passing that he would have to miss his son’s first T-Ball game. When Arvin initially urged him to go, Stout declined since it was a typically busy Saturday with six races remaining. She insisted he rush off to see Jack do his darndest to put bat to ball.
2026 Florida Derby Cheat Sheet
No prep race has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby, including four of the last 10 and five of the last 13 among 26 total winners of the run for the roses that emerged from the marquee Gulfstream Park race. Just last year, Sovereignty followed a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby with victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes on his way to Horse of the Year honors.
