Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

On the March 2 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Brad Cox discusses Commandment's victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and provides updates on other Kentucky Derby/Oaks prospects. Eric Hamelback previews the National HBPA conference March 3-7.

Patrick Reed presents four takeaways from an action-packed weekend highlighted by three 105-point Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races: the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), the Gotham Stakes (G3), and the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

In a thrilling stretch duel, Class President was able to fend off Silent Tactic to win the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park March 1 in his first start around two turns.

Wathnan Racing's Commandment was looking good at Payson Park March 1 on the morning after passing the two-turn test in the $425,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Iron Honor emerged from his Feb. 28 victory in the Gotham Stakes (G3) in good condition. Trainer Chad Brown plans to keep the colt at Belmont Park to prepare for the April 4 Wood Memorial (G2).

Running for just the second time, Iron Honor edged away late to take the Gotham Stakes (G3) by a length as a 4-5 favorite and convince trainer Chad Brown that the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles and the Kentucky Derby (G1) are in play.

Wathnan Racing's Commandment slipped through along the rail to take the lead in the stretch and held off a stubborn foe in Chief Wallabee to win the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Wathnan Racing's Commandment slipped through along the rail to take the lead in the stretch and held off a stubborn foe in Chief Wallabee to win the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The European portion of the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby went into the books with impressive wins by well-bred colts but neither seems a likely candidate to line up in Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday in May.

Owner Chris Fountoukis is on the cusp of a major Kentucky Derby (G1) prep as his undefeated colt Solitude Dude is set to start in the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Gulfstream Park.

The Road, presented by Gainesway and WinStar Farm, looks at the recent strong Kentucky Derby (G1) performance of winners of prep races that offer 50 qualifying points.

While Churchill Downs Inc. is a diverse company involved in historical horse racing, casino gaming, and advance-deposit wagering, it served up a reminder Feb. 26 that its flagship racetrack also played a part in a record-breaking 2025.

Graded stakes winner Litmus Test battles past foe Blackout Time in the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park, plus a slew of 3-year-olds he has yet to face, led by local stakes winners Silent Tactic and Strategic Risk.

Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Plutarch is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, per Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Churchill Downs publicity announced Feb. 25. 

Litmus Test, trained by Bob Baffert, is one of the favorites for the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

Three-year-olds who have just one career start at this point in the year are usually not viewed as Triple Crown prospects. However, Iron Honor's dazzling Dec. 13 career debut was anything but typical.

With the usual approach of welcoming a massive crowd for the Preakness Stakes (G1) not an option for this year as the event moves to Laurel Park, 1/ST Racing will market this year's race as an exclusive event when seats go on sale Feb. 25.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

A relatively quiet weekend of racing, in terms of stakes action, led to little change in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's polls released Feb. 24, but that is likely to change this weekend.