The road to the Kentucky Derby picks up pace this weekend with several high-profile races serving as pivotal Kentucky Derby prep races. The Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Holy Bull Stakes, and Withers Stakes offer valuable points toward Kentucky Derby qualification. At the same time, other significant stakes across Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, and Aqueduct provide key insights for bettors sharpening their Kentucky Derby betting strategies. With Kentucky Derby odds beginning to take shape, this weekend’s contests promise to highlight rising stars and refine the narrative on the road to Churchill Downs.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby heated up at Oaklawn Park on Saturday when the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes, a critical stop on the Kentucky Derby prep race circuit, was run.As Kentucky Derby betting gains momentum and Kentucky Derby odds become sharper focus, the Southwest Stakes offered a compelling clash of rising stars and seasoned contenders.

The 2025 Pegasus Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park featured high stakes, unexpected outcomes, and thrilling moments, rewarding sharp bettors while surprising fans. While the race had been framed as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities in favorites, the final results highlighted the unpredictable nature of thoroughbred racing.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby added another surprise twist Saturday at Oaklawn Park, as Speed King scored a 14-1 upset in the Grade 3, $1 million Southwest Stakes. This Kentucky Derby Prep Race offered crucial qualifying points for the Derby, and Speed King capitalized on a trouble-filled trip for many of his rivals to lead wire-to-wire in the 1 1/16-mile contest.For Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasts, Speed King’s victory further emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the trail, where emerging contenders can disrupt the established Kentucky Derby odds.

The 2024 racing season witnessed the rise of a remarkable filly, Thorpedo Anna, who dominated her division and earned the title of Horse of the Year.