With Keeneland wrapping up its meet April 24, the focus of Kentucky racing pivots roughly 70 miles west to Churchill Downs, where the Louisville track launches its spring meet with its traditional last-Saturday-in-April opening.
In a departure from recent years, the season begins April 25 with an afternoon card rather than an evening slate, though many other elements are the same. A 10-race program is anchored by the $200,000 Roxelana Stakes for older fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs, and Churchill again stages the post-position draws for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) in the midst of the card. The draws for the two prestigious stakes races are scheduled between the third and fourth races. Weather permitting, these post-position draws will take place in the Paddock Terrace area just after 2 p.m. ET.
A competitive field of eight is entered in the Roxelana, led by Peter Leidel's Zeitlos, the 2024 Roxelana winner and the field's top earner with more than $1.3 million in purses. The late-running 6-year-old daughter of Curlin has won four of seven races beneath the twin spires and exits a fourth-place finish in the March 27 Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park in her lone start this year.
Zeitlos is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who conditioned Curlin through much of his career.
Jose Ortiz has the call. He and his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., lead a deep jockey colony that also includes Tyler Gaffalione, Luis Saez, and other prominent riders.
Leading challengers to Zeitlos are One Magic Philly, Jersey Pearl, Mink's Palace, Lotsandlotsofcandy, and Lucille Ball.
First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m., with the Roxelana scheduled as race 9 at 5:46 p.m.
A total of 85 horses, plus six also-eligibles, are entered for opening day. Fields are slightly deeper on a per-race basis on the next race cards April 26 and April 28, averaging more than nine horses a race before scratches.
The week builds toward the marquee events. Fourteen races are slated for Derby Day, including seven stakes, with new wagering options such as Odd vs. Even wagering and Matchup betting have been added to those popular programs. A 50-cent All Turf Pick 4 also joins the wagering lineup on Oaks and Derby Day.
The Kentucky Oaks will be contested in prime time next Friday with an 8:40 p.m. post on NBC, while the Kentucky Derby retains its traditional early evening slot Saturday just before 7 p.m., also on NBC. First post is 12:30 p.m. on Oaks Day and 11 a.m. on Derby Day.
Fans can get an up-close look at contenders in their training in the coming days, with Churchill Downs opening free to the public for Dawn at the Downs from 6:45-10 a.m. April 23-29. Most Derby and Oaks runners train during a 7:15-7:30 a.m. window, with Derby horses wearing yellow saddle towels and Oaks runners in pink.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, April 25, 2026, Race 9Entries: Roxelana S. presented by LG&E KU
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1One Magic Philly (KY) Tyler Gaffalione 118 Brendan P. Walsh 5/2 2 2Jersey Pearl (KY) Luan Machado 118 Darrin Miller 6/1 3 3Mink's Palace (KY) Luis Saez 118 Eddie Kenneally 8/1 4 4Lotsandlotsofcandy (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 118 Paul J. McGee 7/2 5 5Lucille Ball (KY) Axel Concepcion 118 Chris J. Englehart 15/1 6 6Zeitlos (KY) Jose L. Ortiz 118 Steven M. Asmussen 5/1 7 7Vincey Girl (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 118 Jose Francisco D'Angelo 9/2 8 8Asternia (KY) Joel Rosario 118 Randy L. Morse 10/1
