The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series "Win and You’re In" returns for its 20th year in 2026, providing the premier pathway for top contenders to earn automatic berths into the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The North American portion of the series will again deliver a robust schedule of races throughout the United States and Canada leading into the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships Oct.
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.
The last round of prep races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve that award 100 points to the winner are now complete, so it’s time to take a look at the cast of 3-year-old racehorses expected to compete in the first jewel of the Triple Crown May 2 at Churchill Downs.
The opening weekend of Keeneland’s Spring Meet along with other stakes races around the country reshaped the Equibase leaderboard in a big way, with eight horses moving into the top 25 in the overall standings for 2026 North American earnings. Three significant preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve led the way.
