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.

On Feb. 23 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Trainer and co-owner John Ennis talks about Great White's victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, Byron King gives insight to his Derby Dozen rankings, Tod Wojciechowski on new safety measures at OBS.

Trainer and co-owner John Ennis says there is more improvement to come in Great White after the 3-year-old Volatile gelding joined the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with a win in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park Feb. 21.

Lucky Kid upset the Hyacinth Stakes Feb. 22 at Tokyo Racecourse, taking the lead in the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" with one race to go in the series.

Three Chimneys Farm and John Ennis' Great White took the winning bite out of the $174,835 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park Feb. 21, joining the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with 20 points.

Intrepido and Secured Freedom both worked Feb. 21 for the first time since the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park. They were among several high-profile 3-year-olds on the Santa Anita work tab.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse's two projected starters for the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2), Silent Tactic and Strategic Risk, had their final pre-Rebel workouts Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park.

Brotherly Love, a half brother to 2025 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner Heart of Honor, surfaced as a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in Dubai in a busy weekend of Derby doings.

The Road presented by Gainesway and WinStar Farm

Trainer Chad Summers says Gold Square's undefeated Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo will be entered in the Feb. 28 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park for what would be his 3-year-old debut.

The reformatted Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby returns to Dubai Feb. 20 but without Six Speed, the colt making the most noise this season at Meydan Racecourse, leaving the race wide open.