At a time of year when Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve hopefuls are focusing on two-turn preps and qualifying points, Saturday’s Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct offers something different.
Oaklawn Park offers a lucrative pathway to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve that leads to deep, talented fields and compelling 3-year-old qualifying races for the May 2 run for the roses at Churchill Downs.
Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule that offers qualifying points to the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs.
The road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve makes its second of three stops at Gulfstream Park Saturday for the $425,000, Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Entering the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park Feb. 21, bettors were keyed in on the top-two finishers of the Leonatus Stakes, Street Beast and Fulleffort. However, it was that local prep’s fifth-place finisher, Great White, who would take the largest bite out of the Battaglia’s $174,835 purse.
