Triple Crown

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Rookie Rankings: Five 2-Year-Old Prospects to Watch From 2026 Saratoga Meet

During two-plus months of exciting summer racing at Saratoga Race Course, we witnessed many talented 2-year-old Thoroughbreds deliver eye-catching victories suggesting they’re serious prospects for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, and 2027 Kentucky Oaks.

Which of these rising stars impressed the most? In reverse order, here’s how we rank the top five 2-year-olds who raced during the 2026 summer at Saratoga:

Salahudin, Bob Baffert, 2026 Iroquois Stakes, Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby

Baffert ‘Big Baby’ Salahudin Wins Iroquois in First Prep on Road to 2027 Kentucky Derby

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert believed that Salahudin, his favorite for the $300,000 Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes, would appreciate stretching out to a mile and every inch of the long Churchill Downs stretch. That statement turned out to be prophetic.

TV, television, radio, streaming, Woodbine, Mile, Iroquois, Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Downs, Gulfstream Park, Meadowlands, Louisiana Downs, Laurel Park, Byk, HRRN, FOX Sports, FanDuel TV, RTN, horse racing, ABR

Where to Watch/Listen: Horse Racing Coverage Sept. 9-13

The 2026 Labor Day holiday weekend featured top-class horse racing across the country, marking the conclusion of successful summer meets at Saratoga, Del Mar, and Colonial Downs. The upcoming week and weekend is highlighted by a sensational racecard Saturday, Sept.

Preakness Stakes, Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby, Belmont, Maryland Jockey Club, Maryland, Churchill Downs, series, NYRA, Wes Moore, governor, schedule, reschedule, horse racing, tradition, NBC, broadcast, Baltimore, Bill Knauf, ABR, Pimlico

Maryland Moves Preakness Stakes Date to Late May, NBC Extends Broadcast Rights

A landmark week for the Triple Crown and the North American 3-year-old division continued Aug. 5 as the new version of the Maryland Jockey Club announced a date change for its most important race, the Preakness Stakes.

Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes, Travers Stakes, championship series, horse racing, America's Best Racing, ABR

New 3-Year-Old Championship Series Produces Excitement While Also Raising Concerns

In outlining a six-race championship series for 3-year-olds that will include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, as well as a new championship race for sophomores, executives from Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing Association expressed hope that the new series built around racing’s glamor division will draw more attention to the sport.

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