Upcoming Kentucky Derby Prep Races and Possible Starters

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series continues Saturday in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. Let’s take a look at the upcoming Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series and the possible starters as of February 23, 2023.

Note: Known possible horses mentioned to be under consideration for each race are based on published news reports and other sources. Horses listed in italics are possible for multiple races.

Per Kentucky Racing Communications:

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $400,000 Fountain of Youth (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream Park (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Blazing Sevens (Chad Brown); Forte (Todd Pletcher); General Jim (Shug McGaughey); Rocket Can (Bill Mott); and Shadow Dragon (Bill Mott)

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $400,000 San Felipe (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Chase the Choas (Ed Moger); Geaux Rocket Ride (Richard Mandella); National Treasure (TBD); One in Vermillion (Esteban Martinez); Practical Move (Tim Yakteen); and Skinner (John Shirreffs).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $300,000 Gotham (GIII), one mile, Aqueduct (Top 5 points: 50-20-15-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Arctic Arrogance (Linda Rice); Carmel Road (Tim Yakteen); Clubhouse (Todd Pletcher); Eyeing Clover (Brad Cox); General Banker (James Ferraro); Howgreatisnate (Andrew Simoff); Lugan Knight (Michael McCarthy); Recruiter (Cal Lynch); Slip Mahoney (Cox); Transect (Paulo Lobo); Fort Warren (Brittany Russell); Uncorrelated (Chad Brown).

March 4 (nine weeks out) – $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial, 1 1/16 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park (Top 5 points: 20-8-6-4-2)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Curly Larry and Mo (Caio Caramori); Ironsides (Vicki Oliver); and Quadra Island (Brad Cox).

March 11 (eight weeks out) – $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII), 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs

Known possible starters (with trainer): Classic Car Wash (Mark Casse); Groveland (Eoin Harty); and Tapit Trice (Todd Pletcher).

March 25 (six weeks out) – $1 million Louisiana Derby (GII), 1 3/16 miles, Fair Grounds (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Angel of Empire (Brad Cox); Baseline Beater (Neil Pessin); Cagliostro (Cherie DeVaux); Curly Jack (Tom Amoss); Denington (Kenny McPeek); Instant Coffee (Brad Cox); Kingsbarns (Todd Pletcher); Litigate (Todd Pletcher); Shopper’s Revenge (Steve Asmussen); Sun Thunder (Kenny McPeek); Tapit Shoes (Brad Cox); and Tapit’s Conquest (Brad Cox).

March 25 (six weeks out) – $1 million UAE Derby (GII), 1 3/16 miles, Meydan Racecourse (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Perriere (JPN) (Yoichi Kuroiwa); Shirl’s Bee (Doug Watson); and Tall Boy (Doug O’Neill).

March 25 (six weeks out) – $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII), 1 1/8 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Gilmore (Brendan Walsh); Major Dude (Todd Pletcher); Scoobie Quando (Ben Colebrook); and Wadsworth (Brad Cox).

March 26 (six weeks out) – $600,000 Sunland Derby (GIII), 1 1/8 miles, Sunland Park (Top 4 points: 50-20-10-5)

Known possible starters (with trainer): One in Vermillion (Esteban Martinez); and Two Eagles River (Chris Hartman).

April 1 (five weeks out) – $1 million Florida Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

April 1 (five weeks out) – $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Oaklawn Park (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Angel of Empire (Brad Cox); Arabian Knight (TBD); Disarm (Steve Asmussen); and Two Eagles River (Chris Hartman).

April 8 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII), 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Hit Show (Brad Cox)

April 8 (four weeks out) – $1 million Blue Grass (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Keeneland (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Angel of Empire (Brad Cox); and Two Phil’s (Larry Rivelli)

April 8 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita (Top 4 points: 100-40-20-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Arabian Knight (TBD); and Skinner (John Shirreffs).

April 15 (three weeks out) – $400,000 Lexington (GIII), 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland (Top 4 points: 20-8-4-2)