LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Road to the Kentucky Derby series is set to begin this weekend at Churchill Downs as part of the 14-day September Meet.

It starts Saturday, Sept. 13, with the 44th running of the $300,000 Grade III Iroquois for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. 

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series debuted in 2013. It's a sliding scale of points awarded to the top five finishing positions in select qualifying races.

At the end of the 36-race series, the leaderboard determines the preference list for entries into the 152nd Kentucky Derby, which is Saturday, May 2, 2026.

The 33-race Road to the Kentucky Oaks series is also scheduled to start Saturday with the $300,000 Pocahontas (GII) race at one mile. The Oaks series awards points to fillies to qualify for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks, which is Friday, May 1, 2026.

The series are part of the 14-date September Meet at the track that starts this Thursday, Sept. 11, and runs through Sept. 28.

Tickets are also now available for the the 26-day Fall Meet, that includes the popular Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Fall Meet starts Oct. 26 and continues through Nov. 30. 

To learn more about the series, and links to schedules for the races, click here. 

For more information about the September Meet and links to buy tickets, click here. For additional ticketing information, click here.

First Responders Day will be on Twilight Thursday, which is opening day of the 14-day meet.

September Meet highlights include:

  • Twilight Thursdays featuring $2 select domestic beer, live music, and food trucks (Thursdays, Sept. 11, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25).
  • First Responders Day (Thursday, Sept. 11)
    • Churchill Downs will honor firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and emergency dispatchers with discounted tickets and more. First responders will receive free general admission with valid ID.
  • Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Kickoff (Saturday, Sept. 13)
  • College Day (Saturday, Sept. 13)
  • Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays, Sept. 14, Sept. 21 and Sept. 28)
  • Senior Day (Friday, Sept. 19)
  • Family Adventure Day in partnership with Louisville City FC, Racing Louisville and Blessings in a Backpack (Sunday, Sept. 21)
  • Thoroughbred Aftercare Day (Saturday, Sept. 27)
  • Ford Day at the Track (Sunday, Sept. 28)

Fall Meet Highlights:

  • Trick or Treat at the Track and Stars of Tomorrow I (Sunday, Oct. 26)
  • Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30)
  • Breeders’ Cup Watch Party (Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1)
  • Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 5)
  • Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola (Sunday, Nov. 9)
  • Family Photos at the Track (Sunday, Nov. 16)
  • Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 19)
  • Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 30)
  • The Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Friday, Nov. 28)
  • Stars of Tomorrow II and Football Day in the Bluegrass (Saturday, Nov. 29)

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