Updated Saturday, September 5, 2026.
The richest day of the year at Kentucky Downs is Saturday, and it comes with a national television window. The $3 million Nashville Derby headlines the card, and two Breeders’ Cup Challenge races on the same afternoon hand out automatic berths to the World Championships at Keeneland next month.
Here is everything you need to watch it.
| Date | Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
| TV window | 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET on NBC |
| Streaming | Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app; the rest of the card on FanDuel TV |
| Featured race | Nashville Derby, $3 million purse, for three year olds on the turf |
| Challenge races | Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2) and Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) |
| Morning line favorite | Causeway, 5 to 2, trained by Aidan O’Brien |
TV window by time zone
| Eastern | Central | Mountain | Arizona | Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. | 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. | 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. | 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. |
The Nashville Derby
The Nashville Derby carries a $3 million purse, which makes it the richest race on the Kentucky Downs calendar and the second richest race for three year olds in the country behind only the $5 million Kentucky Derby. The base purse is $1.75 million, with a $1.25 million enhancement reserved for Kentucky breds from the state’s Thoroughbred Development Fund.
European stables have won the last two editions, and this year’s morning line favorite fits the pattern: Causeway at 5 to 2 for Aidan O’Brien, one of four European runners expected to contend. Last year Wimbledon Hawkeye beat Burnham Square in a photo finish.
Why the Challenge Races Matter
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is a win and you’re in program, now in its 20th year with 95 qualifying races in 14 countries. Win one and you get an automatic, fees paid starting spot in the corresponding race at the World Championships, which run October 30 and 31 at Keeneland in Lexington. Saturday’s Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint qualifies its winner for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and the Kentucky Turf Cup qualifies its winner for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
NBC’s next Challenge Series broadcast is Saturday, October 3 from Keeneland, again from 4 to 6 p.m. ET, with the Breeders’ Futurity, the Coolmore Turf Mile and the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes.
The Bottom Line
NBC and Peacock have Kentucky Downs live from 4 to 6 p.m. ET Saturday. The $3 million Nashville Derby is the headliner, Causeway is the favorite for O’Brien, and the two Grade 2 Challenge races on the same card decide who gets a free pass to the Breeders’ Cup on the turf at Keeneland in October.