The long road to the Kentucky Derby begins at Churchill Downs

The Iroquois Stakes (G3) will kick off this Saturday the qualifying series for the 2027 edition of the Run for the Roses, featuring the undefeated Salahudin (pictured) as the main attraction. The Pocahontas Stakes (G3) will do the same on the path to the Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Eight months may seem like an eternity, but the dream of the Kentucky Derby (G1) begins long before Churchill Downs dresses for the occasion on the first Saturday in May. This Saturday, the Road to the Kentucky Derby 2027 will officially get underway with the Iroquois Stakes (G3), while the fillies will kick off their own path toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in the Pocahontas Stakes (G3).

Both events will offer a purse of $300,000, contested over 1600 meters on the main track at Churchill Downs, forming part of a card featuring five stakes races. The top five finishers in each race will earn qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale—modest figures for now, but the first essential pieces of a puzzle that will take shape over the coming months.

In the Iroquois, all eyes will be on Salahudin, a product of Bob Baffert's decision to establish a permanent division of his barn in Kentucky starting this season.

Undefeated in two starts, the son of the memorable Uncle Mo sports the colors of Zedan Racing Stables and rapidly built a formidable reputation during the summer at Ellis Park.

He debuted on July 17 with a two-length victory over 1300 meters and took another step forward on August 9, capturing the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes (L) by a dominant 4 1/2 lengths at 1400 meters. Florent Geroux was in the irons for both victories and will ride him once again this Saturday.

Now, a new question arises for Salahudin: the mile distance. As is the case with almost the entire field of nine colts, he has never raced over 1600 meters. In fact, the only winner at the mile distance in the lineup is Real Goodbar(Authentic), who broke his maiden on the turf at Colonial Downs for trainer Kenny McPeek and will now switch surfaces.

Among those seeking to end Salahudin's undefeated run are Blessed Flyer (Dialed In) and He Is No Lie (Early Voting), the top two finishers from the Bashford Manor Stakes (L) during the spring meet at Churchill Downs.

Expectations are also high for Caribbean Life (Life Is Good), who left an outstanding impression when winning on debut over the summer at Ellis Park and will now face winners for the first time.

Points toward the Derby will not be the only incentive in the Iroquois. The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, granting the top three finishers credits of $30,000, $15,000, and $7,500, respectively, toward entry fees for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on October 30 at Keeneland.

A similar combination of immediate and long-term stakes will be present in the Pocahontas Stakes (G3). Leading the way is Manuka Honey, who arrives unbeaten following two crushing performances. The daughter of Upstart, trained by Brian Lynch, made a winning debut at Churchill Downs on June 20 by 7 1/4 lengths before confirming her talent with an easy victory in the Ellis Park Debutante Stakes (L).

Standing in her way will be Scarlett Begonia, another filly who generated high expectations early on. Conditioned by Brad Cox, the daughter of Life Is Good won her debut on July 6 at Ellis Park before finishing third in the Adirondack Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. Flavien Prat takes the mount this time.

The name Life Is Good is making a strong impact among the two-year-old crop in the United States. Just days ago, The Good Life, another progeny of the WinStar Farm stallion, became his first G1 winner by maintaining his unbeaten record in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

The Pocahontas field will also feature stakes winner Pierette (Girvin) and Miss Anna (Girvin), who enters off a commanding six-length maiden victory.

As with the Iroquois, the top three fillies will earn Dirt Dozen credits toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), alongside their initial points toward the Kentucky Oaks on the 10-5-3-2-1 scale.

There is still a long way to go, and many of the names destined to dominate the conversation surrounding the Derbyand the Oaks have likely yet to emerge.

Even so, Churchill Downs is already looking toward May. The road to Kentucky's two most cherished races is officially underway once again.