Fair Grounds to Present Road to the Kentucky Derby Update Show Featuring Live Dubai Road Stakes
NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 19, 2026) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will present a special Road to the Kentucky Derby Update Show on Friday, Feb. 20, beginning at 11:10 a.m. CT, highlighted by the live running of the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes from Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The program will air on the Fair Grounds live feed and give fans a global look at emergaing 3-year-olds.
Hosted by John Dooley and Joe Kristufek, the show will include highlights from Paladin’s Risen Star Stakes (G2) victory, the latest Road to the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard, and a look ahead to upcoming prep races. Coverage will then turn international with analysis and buildup to the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes before a toss to Meydan for paddock coverage, the post parade and race, followed by post-race reaction.
Formerly the Al Bastakiya, the 1 3/16-mile Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby is part of the European and Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby series for the first time, awarding 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar, who started Summer Is Tomorrow in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, entered five runners, including Salloom, an easy 1-mile winner three weeks ago after being withdrawn at the start of his intended debut in December. “He’s ready to go again, but I hope he behaves in the gate,” Seemar said.
Two European-based runners are among the 13 entered, including Knight Of Glory for David Menuisier. The colt broke his maiden at Lingfield and was sixth in January behind eventual UAE 2000 Guineas winner Six Speed. Menuisier said the added distance will suit and that the colt has progressed with additional gate schooling.
Following the international coverage, the broadcast will return to the Fair Grounds set as part of Fair Grounds Today. Fans can watch and wager throughout the program on TwinSpires, bringing together domestic and international racing action in one continuous Derby-focused show.
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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.
