The unrelenting horse racing action is already underway in 2025, and all eyes in the opening half of the season will be on the opening leg of the Triple Crown, with the Kentucky Derby set for Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
However, before we get close to the halfway stage of the year, there will be some interesting graded stakes races to enjoy, with some even including vital qualifying points for the opportunity to line up in the Derby later in the year. But, what are some of the key races on the U.S. schedule that are creeping into sight?
Pegasus World Cup
The first big Grade One on the U.S. racing schedule is set for Gulfstream Park at the end of January. Horses aged four and older will be eligible to run in the race, with a distance of 1 1/8 covered and a purse of $3 million up for grabs.
The race kickstarts a huge period of races, with the winner of the Pegasus World Cup likely to travel to the Middle East and compete in the Dubai World Cup. There have been some excellent recent renewals of the race, with legends including Life Is Good, Knicks Go, and Arrogate all winning the race since 2017.
It could pinpoint a horse to keep onside for the remainder of the season, as National Treasure won the Pegasus World Cup in 2024, before later landing the G1 Metropolitan Handicap. A high-quality field is expected to run in 2025, with 2023 Classic winner White Abarrio, and last year’s Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan among the likely runners.
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Pegasus World Cup Turf
As well as the Pegasus World Cup being staged at the end of January, there will also be high-quality action on the grass, as the Pegasus World Cup Turf looks set to attract a star-studded field.
This race has been staged since 1986, and it will be run over 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park. It has been run as part of this Championship Meet at the track since 2019, with recent winners including Colonel Liam, Atone, and Warm Heart.
Nations Pride could be one of the standout contenders lining up this year, as the 14-time graded stakes winner looks set to represent the Charlie Appleby yard in Florida. Other Grade one winners that are probable at this stage include Formidable Man, who previously landed a top prize in the Hollywood Derby and Shoemaker Mile, respectively. Johannes also was a contender but the horse has been ruled out due to bone bruising.
Rachel Alexandra Stakes
As well as the eyes being drawn to the Kentucky Derby runners, there will also be some interesting preps with the Kentucky Oaks in mind. One of the key races worth studying with the Churchill Downs race in mind will be run in February at Fair Grounds.
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes has been a key stop for leading contenders in the Oaks since 1982, and fillies aged three will compete over a distance of 1 1/16 miles. It has been a hugely popular prep race in recent years, with Monomoy Girl and Serengeti Empress both running in the Fair Grounds race before later landing the Kentucky Oaks.
Other notable winners of the race that have followed up with success in the key Fair Grounds Oaks include Summerly, Untapable, and Farrell. Steven Asmussen has won this race on six previous occasions, and the Hall of Famer will likely point his leading Oaks contender to the race once again this year.
Santa Anita Handicap
One of the biggest race days in the first half of the year at Santa Anita is set for March 1, with four graded races on the agenda. However, few are as prestigious as the G1 Santa Anita Handicap.
This Grade One was once considered to be the most important race for older horses during the winter season, and it is worth a purse of $400,000. It is one of the most historic races staged at Santa Anita, having been run for the first time in 1935; just month after the track was opened to the public.
Seabiscuit is one of the runners that is closely related to the race, finished second in photo finishes in 1937 and 1938. It has produced some notable graded performers in recent years, with Newgate winning for Bob Baffert and Frankie Dettori in 2024.
Road to the Kentucky Derby
Following the Santa Anita Handicap, all attentions will quickly turn toward the Road to the Kentucky Derby and important prep races. March 1st will see the Fountain of Youth and Gotham staged, before the San Felipe Stakes and Virginia Derby round off the opening leg of the season.
Important prep races are then staged in the second leg of the series, with Grade One affairs such as the Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby run between March 29 and April 5.
