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, Canadian Trotting Classic winner Nix Nacken and Goodtimes Trot winner Neighver Punt 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 from the Lucas Wallin stable and the Anette Lorentzon-trained Hambletonian runner-up Big Ranger, a supplemental entry.
Melander also has a powerful trio of contenders for the Kentucky Filly Futurity, sponsored by Crawford Farms, with Hambletonian Oaks winner Nezuko Kamado S, Elegantimage Stakes winner Nuance and Zweig winner Setyoursightshigh among the field of 11.
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
*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
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.
More to come.
A replay of the post position draw with interviews from some of the connections is available below.
(Standardbred Canada)