Though high on his Arkansas Derby (G1) entrant, debut winner Cornucopian and the Arkansas Derby's 7-5 morning-line favorite, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says Coal Battle is the deserving public choice.

American Promise may have secured a Kentucky Derby (G1) spot in winning the $500,000 Virginia Derby March 15 at Colonial Downs, but his Derby preparations are not over.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has called upon Mike Smith to fill in for Tyler Gaffalione, who sustained a broken ankle in a starting gate mishap, to ride Madaket Road in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

So much has happened in the real world since American Pharoah swept the 2015 Triple Crown and capped his 3-year-old season with a historic "Grand Slam" win in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm

Luxor Cafe, an American Pharoah colt, looks poised to earn a guaranteed bid to the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the favorite in the Fukuryu Stakes, final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will bid for a fourth Florida Derby (G1) with a ride on Madaket Road, a mount he picks up after scheduled jockey Tyler Gaffalione injured an ankle March 26.

St. Elias Stable's Captain Cook breezed a half-mile in :49 March 26 over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test for sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack April 5.

Trainer Bill Mott was not surprised Sovereignty was made the 8-5 favorite for the March 29 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. "I guess it's a good thing we've shown we can run over the (Gulfstream) track," he said.

After seeing the light go on in Owen Almighty's second try around two turns, trainer Brian Lynch is hoping for a similar type of response from stablemate Jimmy's Dailys in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29.

Mike Curry analyzes the 10-horse field in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29, which has historically been one of the most important stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

America's Best Racing's Patrick Reed provides a horse-by-horse rundown of the Arkansas Derby (G1) lineup.

Three Heating Up for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1)

The Dubai World Cup card this year falls a week later than is traditionally the case, a development driven by the dates of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which comes to an end with Eid al-Fitr expected to fall Sunday evening (March 30). 

Fast-improving sophomores Cornucopian, Disruptor, Tappan Street try top Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races, the Arkansas Derby (G1) and the Florida Derby (G1).

Trainer Bill Mott was not surprised Sovereignty was made the 8-5 favorite for the March 29 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. "I guess it's a good thing we've shown we can run over the (Gulfstream) track," he said.

The connections of Coal Battle hope his Oaklawn Park story comes to a satisfying conclusion March 29 as he faces eight rivals in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic arrived at Churchill Downs early March 25 from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's Barn 38, where he'll begin his preparations for the Run for the Roses.

With the 2025 Florida Derby (G1) approaching, America's Best Racing looks back at some of the race's top winners.