This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not as strong as they previously were. In the sixth edition of this blog for the 2026 run for the roses, the focus is on what has changed since the previous edition on March 17. HEATING UP
Tag: Racing
Louisiana Derby Win Propels Emerging Market in Latest Kentucky Derby Power Rankings
Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
2026 Arkansas Derby Cheat Sheet
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.
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.
