Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Kicks Off at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs will open the 2027 Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks this Saturday, launching the qualifying season with the return of live racing in Louisville.
The week’s program features Twilight Thursday, First Responders Day on Friday and live racing through Sunday at Churchill Downs. Saturday’s card includes the Iroquois (GIII) and the Pocahontas (GIII), the first points races on the respective roads to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
Past contenders underscore the significance of these early stakes. Sandman earned his first qualifying point with a fifth-place finish in the Iroquois before winning the Arkansas Derby and finishing seventh in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Serengeti Empress announced her potential with a record 19 1/2-length victory in the Pocahontas ahead of her triumph in the 2019 Kentucky Oaks.
Churchill Downs is also promoting upcoming events and ticket opportunities. A Downs After Dark program themed around Oktoberfest is scheduled for September 19, and select 2027 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks tickets, including dining experiences, reserved seating and infield general admission two-day packages, are on sale through the official Kentucky Derby site.
Racegoers can also use the Churchill Downs Racetrack mobile app, available for iPhone and Android, to follow entries, wagering information and event details throughout the season.