Thirty-three stakes races on Saturday, highlighted by graded stakes action at Fair Grounds, Turfway Park, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita Park, resulted in major changes on the Equibase leaderboard in the 3-year-old and older divisions.
Saturday, the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline will be held for the 30th time. A true international showcase, the World Cup was a smashing success right off of the bat when it was first held in 1996, and for much of its history the race has carried the highest purse in Thoroughbred racing. Currently, its $12 million total award ranks second to the $20 million Saudi Cup.
The Dubai World Cup card features nine races worth $30.5 million in purses Saturday, March 28, at Meydan Racecourse with Japanese superstar Forever Young the central attraction coming out of back-to-back wins in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and $20 million Saudi Cup.
This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not as strong as they previously were. In the sixth edition of this blog for the 2026 run for the roses, the focus is on what has changed since the previous edition on March 17.
Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
