Racing Roundtable: Road to the Kentucky Derby, Oaks, and Breeders' Cup [VIDEO]
Notable Speech wins the Woodbine Mile at Woodbine. (Photo by Michael Burns Photo)
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On this week's Racing Roundtable, James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and guest Nick Tammaro review the winning juveniles on the kickoff to the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. Plus, they look at Notable Speech's dominant performance at Woodbine ahead of the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).
Churchill Downs hosted five stakes on the opening weekend of the 14-day September meet, two of which were the initial points races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. In the fillies' event, two-year-old Florida-bred filly Taken by the Wind, trained by Kenny McPeek, pulled off the slight upset in the one-mile Pocahontas (G3) and secured 10 points on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard.
In the boys' counterpart, Gun Runner son Spice Runner overcame greenness in the stretch and got up by a nose to defeat Comport in the one-mile Iroquois (G3). The Steve Asmussen pupil also scored 10 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Elsewhere, Woodbine hosted a trio of Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series races with bids to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Fillies Turf (G1), and Mile (G1) on the line. The two-year-old races were taken by Nyquist colt Argos and Practical Joke daughter Corsia Veloce. The Woodbine Mile was won by last year's narrow Breeders' Cup Mile third-place finisher Notable Speech. The Godolphin homebred got away slowly but launched an explosive closing kick to drive away with a 1 3/4-length victory. Now headed back to the Breeders' Cup, Notable Speech will take on a strong European contingent in the one-mile turf test on Nov. 1 at Del Mar and look to avenge his close defeat last year at the same track.
Welcome to Churchill Downs Racing Today!
Thank you to everyone that came to join us on the start of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks. Keep an eye out for more LIVE coverage as we travel through the journey to the 2026 Kentucky Derby and Oaks.
Also, don't skip the Breeders' Cup coverage at the end of October and beginning of November at Del Mar. Take advantage of our LIVE coverage to stay up-to-date on everything you need to know about Breeders Cup Weekend!
With the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Road to the Kentucky Oaks kicking up with Churchill Downs races today, let's take a closer look at the winning contenders.
Taken By The Wind
First of two from the McPeek barn won in going-away fashion in an off-the-turf race at Saratoga before taking the 2025 Pocahontas on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The bargain $20,000 yearling purchase faced her competition head on with Irad inheriting the mount.
Spice Runner
at Ellis Park. Gun Runner colt was a smart maiden winner at 3-10 odds on debut beneath the Twin Spires, and his pedigree suggests that the added ground will benefit him as it did today. Jose Ortiz will guided the bay foal to his first victory along the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Come join the fun of TwinSpires Tournamnets. With plenty of options to choose from, there is never any shortage of fun. Check out all the Tournaments for the weekend above and all our upcoming tournaments below.
It's time for the last stakes race for Churchill Downs races today with the Lousiville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. Check out the race entries below and place your best bets with TwinSpires.
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