The fields for the 134th edition of the Grade 1 Kentucky Futurity for three-year-old trotters, the third leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, in addition to the 61st edition of the companion Grade 1 Kentucky Filly Futurity were drawn on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The Red Mile's marquee races, which have traditionally closed out the Grand Circuit meet in Lexington, Kentucky, will be held during opening week this year on Saturday, Oct. 3, with post time for the day's races at 1 p.m.

Hambletonian champion Apex (post seven), Canadian Trotting Classic winner Nix Nacken (post one) and Goodtimes Trot winner Neighver Punt (post five) are among six entries from the Marcus Melander stable that headline the field for the 2026 Kentucky Futurity, sponsored by Hunterton Farms. The 11-horse field also includes Yonkers Trot champion Inexpressable (post six) from the Lucas Wallin stable and the Anette Lorentzon-trained Hambletonian runner-up Big Ranger (post nine), a supplemental entry.

Apex, who was defeated by a half-length in the Canadian Trotting Classic at Woodbine Mohawk Park last Saturday, Sept. 26 by stablemate Nix Nacken, will face Big Ranger for the first time since prevailing over that rival after a stretch showdown in a Hambletonian stakes record 1:49.2 back on Aug. 8.

“Apex trained good this morning. He came from Canada on Monday and so far he’s been good," shared Melander during the post position draw and luncheon at The Red Mile clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon.

Melander's other Kentucky Futurity entries include American Power (post two), Zephyr Kemp (post 10) and last year’s Breeders Crown winner Spencer Hanover (post 11).

“American Power’s been a great horse all year and made over a half-million this year,” said Melander. “He drew good. Neighver Punt raced good here in the Commonwealth and he might be right under the best ones, but he draws good and hopefully can pick up a cheque. Nix Nacken’s a good horse, but to go first-over like that and win the [Canadian Trotting Classic], it was very impressive. Spencer Hanover’s been racing okay lately, but he’s had a couple of weeks between races so I think he’ll be okay on Saturday. Zephyr Kemp raced really well the last couple of starts here, but he drew the 10-hole so we’ll need a little bit of luck.”

Wallin, brother-in-law to Melander who won the Kentucky Futurity at just 29 years old in 2022 with Rebuff, will take another shot with Inexpressable, entering off an impressive 1:49.3 triumph in the Kentucky Championship Series on Sept. 20 at The Red Mile.

“He trained this morning and couldn’t be happier,” said Wallin of Inexpressable. “I learned a lot from [Rebuff] -- good things and bad things. He helped me a lot and I don’t know how much he did for my career, but I learned a lot of things.

“I always knew [Inexpressable] was a good horse, but he usually doesn’t go more than he needs to," he added. "That mile was very impressive. I wasn’t surprised that he won it, but by the way he did it.”

Melander also has a powerful trio of contenders for the Kentucky Filly Futurity, sponsored by Crawford Farms, with Hambletonian Oaks winner Nezuko Kamado S (post 10), Elegantimage Stakes winner Nuance (post 11) and Zweig winner Setyoursightshigh (post eight) among the field of 11.

Trainer Nancy Takter has four filly entries including Kentucky Championship Series winner Shes Moni (post nine), New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Madam Cheval (post three), Leading Lady (post six) and Godusa (post seven).

“Madam Cheval drew well and she never does, and the other ones drew where they usually draw,” said Takter, commenting on the draw. “I trained them all this morning and they all trained really well, so I think it’s anyone’s game. It’s all going to be how the race sets up. Shes Moni was very impressive in her last start, but she drew the worst of the four fillies, so things are going to have to go her way a bit. But I’m really happy with everybody coming into it.”

Below are the fields for the Kentucky Futurity and Kentucky Filly Futurity in post position order, with drivers to be updated when available.

Kentucky Futurity (Grade 1)
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Nix Nacken - Marcus Melander
2. American Power - Marcus Melander
3. AI - Ron Burke
4. Read The Room - Ake Svanstedt
5. Neighver Punt - Marcus Melander
6. Inexpressable - Lucas Wallin
7. Apex - Marcus Melander
8. Magic Punk - Ake Svanstedt
9. Big Ranger* - Anette Lorentzon
10. Zephyr Kemp - Marcus Melander
11. Spencer Hanover - Marcus Melander
AE1. Captain Naughty - Petter Engblom
AE2. Lucchese - Rene Sejthen
*Supplemental entry

Kentucky Filly Futurity (Grade 1)
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Carve - Noel Daley
2. Busy Miss Lissy S - Ake Svanstedt
3. Madam Cheval - Nancy Takter
4. Custom - Petter Engblom
5. R Ro - John Butenschoen
6. Leading Lady - Nancy Takter
7. Godusa - Nancy Takter
8. Setyoursightshigh - Marcus Melander
9. Shes Moni - Nancy Takter
10. Nezuko Kamado S - Marcus Melander
11. Nuance - Marcus Melander
AE1. Frattina Diablo S - Ronald Best
AE2. Decreed - Carter Pinske

The Kentucky Futurity will receive national television coverage on FOX Sports 2, with Jessica Otten hosting the racing from The Red Mile.

Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile officially gets underway on Thursday, Oct. 1, with divisions of the Bluegrass Stakes, with the opening week continuing on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3.

A replay of the post position draw is available below.

(Standardbred Canada with files from The Red Mile)