The 153rd Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 1st, 2027 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, for three-year-olds. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The key race facts are below, followed by the road to the starting gate, the early contenders and how to bet.
| 2027 Kentucky Derby Race Card Information | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 1st, 2027 |
| Track | Churchill Downs |
| Distance | 1 1/4 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $5,000,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds |
| Starters | Maximum of 20 |
| Post Time | Approximately 6:57 PM ET |
| Kentucky Oaks | Friday, April 30th, 2027 |
| Post Position Draw | Saturday, April 24th, 2027 (Opening Day at Churchill Downs) |
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The Road to the Kentucky Derby starts Saturday, September 12th, 2026 with the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs and runs through April 2027, with the Arkansas Derby on April 10th, three weeks before the Derby. The top five finishers in each qualifying race earn points, and the winner collects from 10 points in the early preps to 100 in the major preps. The points leaders fill the 20-horse field.
| Road to the Kentucky Derby at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Prep Season | September 12th, 2026 (Iroquois Stakes) to April 2027 |
| Who Earns Points | Top five finishers in each qualifying race |
| Winner's Points | 10 to 100, growing as the season moves toward spring |
| 100-Point Preps | Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Florida Derby, Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial and Arkansas Derby |
| Starting Gate | 20 horses |
| International Spots | Up to three: two from the European-Middle East Road, one from the Japan Road |
The top five finishers in each qualifying race earn points, with the winner collecting anywhere from 10 points in the early preps to 100 in the major preps.
| Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Prep SeasonIroquois Stakes, Champagne Stakes, Remsen Stakes, Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Select PrepsLecomte, Southwest, Withers, Holy Bull, Robert B. Lewis, Sam F. Davis, John Battaglia Memorial, Lexington Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Breeders’ Cup JuvenileBreeders’ Cup Juvenile | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Championship SeriesRisen Star, Gotham, San Felipe, Fountain of Youth, Tampa Bay Derby, Rebel, Virginia Derby | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Major PrepsChampionship Series: Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Arkansas Derby | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 |
Points go to the top five finishers. Championship Series races are marked with an asterisk on the races by racetrack table.
Every race on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, grouped by racetrack, with the points awarded to the top five finishers.
| Road to the Kentucky Derby 2027 Races by Racetrack | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racetrack | Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Belmont ParkElmont, N.Y. | Champagne | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Remsen | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Withers | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Gotham* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Wood Memorial* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Churchill DownsLouisville, Ky. | Iroquois | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Street Sense | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Kentucky Jockey Club | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Colonial DownsNew Kent, Va. | Virginia Derby* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Fair GroundsNew Orleans, La. | Gun Runner | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Lecomte | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Risen Star* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Louisiana Derby* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Gulfstream ParkHallandale Beach, Fla. | Holy Bull | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Fountain of Youth* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Florida Derby* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| KeenelandLexington, Ky. | Breeders' Futurity | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
| Blue Grass* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Lexington* | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Los AlamitosLos Alamitos, Calif. | Los Alamitos Futurity | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Oaklawn ParkHot Springs, Ark. | Smarty Jones | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Southwest | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Rebel* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Arkansas Derby* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Remington ParkOklahoma City, Okla. | Remington Springboard Mile | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Santa Anita ParkArcadia, Calif. | American Pharoah | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Robert B. Lewis | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| San Felipe* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Santa Anita Derby* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Sunland ParkSunland Park, N.M. | Sunland Derby | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Tampa Bay DownsOldsmar, Fla. | Sam F. Davis | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Tampa Bay Derby* | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Turfway ParkFlorence, Ky. | Leonatus | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| John Battaglia Memorial | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Jeff Ruby Steaks* | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
* Championship Series race. Points go to the top five finishers. International qualifiers are on the Japan and European-Middle East roads.
The Japan Road is a separate series that can send one runner to the Kentucky Derby, based on the points earned in its qualifying races.
| Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby 2027 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racetrack | Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Tokyo RacecourseTokyo, Japan | Cattleya StakesNov 29, 2026 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Hyacinth StakesFeb 21, 2027 | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
| Kawasaki RacecourseKawasaki, Japan | Zen-Nippon Nisai YushunDec 16, 2026 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Nakayama RacecourseFunabashi, Japan | FukuryuMar 25, 2027 | 40 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
The leading eligible horse on the Japan Road can earn an invitation to the Kentucky Derby.
The European-Middle East Road is a stand-alone series that finishes with the UAE Derby (Grade II) at Meydan. Its leading point earners can receive up to two invitations to the Kentucky Derby.
| European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby 2027 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racetrack | Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| NewmarketNewmarket, England | Royal Lodge StakesSep 26, 2026 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| CurraghCounty Kildare, Ireland | Beresford StakesSep 26, 2026 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| LongchampParis, France | Qatar Prix Jean-Luc LagardèreOct 4, 2026 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| DoncasterDoncaster, England | William Hill Futurity Trophy StakesOct 24, 2026 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Meydan RacecourseDubai, UAE | UAE 2000 GuineasJan 22, 2027 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby StakesFeb 19, 2027 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| UAE DerbyMar 27, 2027 | 100 | 60 | 30 | 15 | 10 | |
| King Abdulaziz RacecourseRiyadh, Saudi Arabia | Saudi DerbyFeb 6, 2027 | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| KemptonKempton, England | Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition StakesFeb 24, 2027 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| DundalkDundalk, Ireland | The Patton StakesFeb 26, 2027 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
The leading eligible point earners on the European-Middle East Road can receive up to two invitations to the Kentucky Derby.
Fillies chase their own points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The 153rd Kentucky Oaks is a $1.5 million Grade I run at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, April 30th, 2027, the day before the Derby.
| Road to the Kentucky Oaks 2027 Races by Racetrack | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racetrack | Race | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Churchill DownsLouisville, Ky. | Pocahontas Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Rags to Riches Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Golden Rod Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| KeenelandLexington, Ky. | Alcibiades Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
| Ashland Stakes | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Santa Anita ParkArcadia, Calif. | Oak Leaf Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Santa Ynez Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Las Virgenes Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Santa Ysabel Stakes | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Santa Anita Oaks | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Belmont ParkElmont, N.Y. | Frizette Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Demoiselle Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Busanda Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Busher Stakes | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Gazelle Stakes | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Los AlamitosLos Alamitos, Calif. | Starlet Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Fair GroundsNew Orleans, La. | Untapable Stakes | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Silverbulletday Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Rachel Alexandra Stakes | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Fair Grounds Oaks | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Oaklawn ParkHot Springs, Ark. | Martha Washington Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Honeybee Stakes | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Fantasy Stakes | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Gulfstream ParkHallandale Beach, Fla. | Forward Gal Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Davona Dale Stakes | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Gulfstream Park Oaks | 100 | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | |
| Tampa Bay DownsOldsmar, Fla. | Suncoast Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Sunland ParkSunland Park, N.M. | Sunland Park Oaks | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Turfway ParkFlorence, Ky. | Cincinnati Trophy Stakes | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Bourbonette Oaks | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Colonial DownsNew Kent, Va. | Virginia Oaks | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Meydan RacecourseDubai, UAE | UAE Oaks | 50 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
Points go to the top five finishers. The Kentucky Oaks is run Friday, April 30th, 2027, the day before the Kentucky Derby.
There aren't official 2027 Kentucky Derby odds yet. The race is still more than 6 months away and most contenders haven't run. Follow the early contenders below until official futures are posted.
| Early Kentucky Derby 2027 Contenders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Horse | Sire | Trainer | Last Start |
| Hughes | Into Mischief | Bob Baffert | 1st, American Pharoah (G1) |
| Twinkle Town | Take Charge Indy | Kenneth G. McPeek | 1st, Saratoga Special (G2) |
| American History | Constitution | Todd A. Pletcher | 1st, Breeders' Futurity (G1) |
| Coach Pope | Tapit | Kenneth G. McPeek | 2nd, Breeders' Futurity (G1) |
| Inshallah | Flightline | John W. Sadler | 1st, Del Mar maiden special weight |
| Powerline | Flightline | Steven M. Asmussen | 4th, Saratoga maiden special weight |
| Zedan | Flightline | Bob Baffert | No start listed |
| Zero Fear | Justify | Bob Baffert | No start listed |
| Salahudin | Uncle Mo | Bob Baffert | 1st, Iroquois (G3) |
| U.S.S. Valor | War of Will | Claude R. McGaughey III | 1st, Champagne (G1) |
Early contender list as of October 10, 2026. Horses change as the prep season develops.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest betting days on the calendar, and BUSR offers win, place and show wagers, exotic bets and futures, with a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Full race replay of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, won by Golden Tempo. Video courtesy of NBC Sports.
The first Kentucky Derby was run on May 17, 1875, the day Churchill Downs opened, and Aristides won the inaugural race. Founder Col. M. Lewis Clark modeled the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Clark Handicap on the Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks and St. Leger Stakes, and the Derby and the Oaks have been run at Churchill Downs every year since. The twin spires atop the grandstand, built in the 1890s, became the symbol of the track and the race.
Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby under Jose Ortiz for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
| Recent Kentucky Derby Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2026 | Golden Tempo | Jose Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux |
| 2025 | Sovereignty | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott |
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek |
| 2023 | Mage | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | Sonny Leon | Eric Reed |
| 2021 | Mandaloun | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox |
| 2020 | Authentic | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert |
| 2019 | Country House | Flavien Prat | Bill Mott |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
Country House (2019) and Mandaloun (2021) were declared winners after the original first-place finishers were disqualified.
The 153rd Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 1st, 2027 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Oaks is run the day before, on Friday, April 30th, 2027.
Post time for the 153rd Kentucky Derby is scheduled for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 1st, 2027. Gates open at 9 a.m. ET for guests attending at Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby is traditionally broadcast in the United States by NBC Sports, with coverage available on NBC and Peacock. The official 2027 broadcast schedule will be confirmed closer to Saturday, May 1st.
The Kentucky Derby is run over 1 1/4 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt track. It is open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds.
The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 starters, and at least 20 horses have been entered in 25 of the last 28 years. Spots are filled from the Road to the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, and as many as three can go to international runners: up to two from the European-Middle East Road and one from the Japan Road.
Horses earn qualifying points by finishing in the top five of designated prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The most points are available in the major spring preps. See the full Kentucky Derby prep races schedule for dates, tracks and points.
The 2027 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million.
Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby under jockey Jose Ortiz for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Follow the latest Kentucky Derby odds for early contenders and how the market moves as the prep races develop the field.
You can bet on the Kentucky Derby online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Churchill Downs, choose the Kentucky Derby and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers. Read our Kentucky Derby betting guide to learn how each bet works.
The 2027 Kentucky Derby post position draw is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th, 2027, on Opening Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The draw sets the starting gate for each horse in the field. Churchill Downs has not yet announced the time.
The Kentucky Oaks is the Grade I race for three-year-old fillies run at Churchill Downs on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. In 2027 it falls on Friday, April 30th, and it has its own Road to the Kentucky Oaks points series.
| Kentucky Derby Guides and Tools | |
|---|---|
| Page | What You'll Find |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | Early contenders, how odds work and how the prep season moves the market. |
| Kentucky Derby Betting | Every bet type, payouts, futures wagers and how to get started. |
| Kentucky Derby Prep Races | The full prep race schedule by date, track and points. |
| Road to the Derby Leaderboard | Which three-year-olds lead the points race. |
| Kentucky Oaks | The Friday fillies race that opens Derby weekend. |
| Churchill Downs | The home of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. |
| Preakness Stakes | The second leg of the Triple Crown. |
| Belmont Stakes | The final leg of the Triple Crown. |
Ready to Bet the Kentucky Derby?
View the latest Kentucky Derby odds and wager on the first leg of the Triple Crown from Churchill Downs.
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