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

Final Story breaks his maiden April 19 at Keeneland. Azam, a half brother to grade 1 winner Magnitude, got his first win at Gulfstream Park.

Second Stride announced its 2026 honorees. Mary Nixon will receive the Industry Champion Award, and Jan and Joan Carstanjen will receive the Volunteer Award at a ceremony April 27.

The Lavin Family Foundation, Glen Hill Farm, and the Jockeys’ Guild announce the establishment of the Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation, a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated entirely to the educational empowerment of professional jockeys.

Trainer Chad Brown said April 21 that Iron Honor will skip the Kentucky Derby (G1) and run in the Preakness Stakes (G1) as long as no major defections happen before the April 25 Derby entry date.

The Maryland Stadium Authority board of directors April 20 gave near-unanimous approval to spending $48.5 million to purchase Laurel Park for use as a training center.

Darling View Thoroughbreds has set the bar high in signing group 1-winning sprinter Royal Patronage to stand on their roster for 2026, entering at an introductory fee of AU$16,500.

Beginning in 2027, Churchill Downs Inc. will control the first two legs of the Triple Crown as the company on April 21 purchased the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes (G1).

This week’s The List takes a look at four stallions expected to have their first-ever Kentucky Derby (G1) runners May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Bentornato is the 2025 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board of directors and announced at the FTBOA Awards Gala held April 20 at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala.