Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Races 2025. Oaklawn park in arkansas has been an increasingly productive winter proving ground for top kentucky derby contenders, thanks primarily to a rich series of prep races that kicks off each january with the smarty jones s. Like the opening leg in the series, the.

In 2025, for the first time ever the road to the kentucky derby runs through virginia and colonial downs. The latest top 5 contenders list for the 2025 kentucky derby (g1) includes 3 runners exiting the breeders’ cup juvenile, led by the race winner citizen bull.