The Road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby Heats Up: Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks Preview
The quest for the 2026 Kentucky Derby intensifies this Saturday, March 21st, with two pivotal prep races: the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans and the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. Both events offer significant qualifying points on the Road to the Roses, with the top five finishers earning points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale.
Louisiana Derby: Chip Honcho Aims for Derby Ticket
All eyes will be on Chip Honcho, the morning line favorite in the Louisiana Derby, trained by the highly respected Steve Asmussen. The colt currently holds 39 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. A strong performance could solidify his place in the starting gate on May 2nd. Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, is the second choice at 7-2 odds and will be racing with blinkers for the first time. Emerging Market, coming off an impressive maiden win at Tampa Bay Downs, is also expected to be a contender.
Past Louisiana Derby Champions
Last year, Tiztastic surprised many by surging from the back of the pack to win the Louisiana Derby, completing the 1 3/16-mile distance in 1:56.20. The race has a history of producing Kentucky Derby hopefuls, making it a crucial stepping stone for three-year-classic thoroughbreds.
Jeff Ruby Steaks: Another Path to Churchill Downs
Contested at Turfway Park, the Jeff Ruby Steaks offers another 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner. This race often attracts horses looking to make a late push for a Derby berth. In 2025, Final Gambit secured victory with a late surge, finishing the race in 1:50.10.
How to Watch the Action
Horse racing fans can catch all the excitement live on Peacock, beginning at 6:00 PM ET on Saturday, March 21st. Peacock offers comprehensive coverage of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, making it the go-to destination for racing enthusiasts.
Understanding Kentucky Derby Qualifying
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is structured around three paths: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. Prep races, beginning in September and continuing through mid-April, award points to the top five finishers. The horses accumulating the most points on the American Road earn a coveted spot in the Kentucky Derby field. Top point earners from the Japan and European/Middle East Roads also receive invitations.
You can identify the current standings on the Kentucky Derby website.
Peacock: Your Home for Horse Racing
Peacock supports a wide range of devices, allowing fans to enjoy horse racing coverage on their preferred platforms. View the full list of supported devices here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance of the Louisiana Derby?
The Louisiana Derby is a 1 3/16-mile race.
What is the distance of the Jeff Ruby Steaks?
The Jeff Ruby Steaks is a 1 1/8-mile race.
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at Churchill Downs.
How many points does the winner of the Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks receive?
The winner of each race receives 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on horses making equipment changes, like Golden Tempo’s first-time employ of blinkers. These adjustments can often signal a trainer’s confidence in a horse’s potential.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds! Explore more horse racing content on Peacock and follow the latest standings on the Kentucky Derby website.
