2026 Saratoga Derby (G1) Winner Glacius Expected to Run in Saturday’s Nashville Derby (G2)
Live Coverage Also Features Pair of “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In” Races: $2 Million Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2) and $1.75 Million Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2)
STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 3, 2026 – 2026 Saratoga Derby (G1) winner Glacius headlines NBC Sports’ live coverage of the Nashville Derby (G2) this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky.
The Nashville Derby carries a $3 million purse, making it the second-richest horse race for 3-year-olds in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby. The race is also the second-richest turf race in the country, after the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.
The race features Causeway (the 5-2 morning line favorite), who is set to be only the second runner at Kentucky Downs for the legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien. His 21 Breeders’ Cup wins are tied with Bob Baffert for most by a trainer all-time. In addition to Glacius (4-1), Gostam (6-1) and Nil Bua Gan Dua (10-1) are expected to contend in the 1 5/16-mile Nashville Derby.
Saturday’s live coverage will also include the $2 million Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2) and $1.75 Million Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, both “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In” races.
Ethical Diamond, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner, and Burnham Square, who finished sixth in the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) and winner of four-straight races, are expected to run in the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2).
Kentucky Downs is home to America’s only European-style (all turf) racecourse. Unlike other racetracks, which are typically oval, the course at Kentucky Downs is kidney-shaped, featuring undulation and a unique right-hand “dogleg” bend.
NBC Sports continues its 13th year presenting the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In” on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks, featuring 95 races in 14 countries on five continents. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.
NBC Sports’ coverage features host Britney Eurton, analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of 15 Breeders’ Cup races, handicapper Matt Bernier, and reporter Andie Biancone.
NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING
NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series.
ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP
Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races through partnerships with host countries around the globe, and the U.S.-based Dirt Dozen Bonus Series.
The 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, featuring 14 Grade 1 Championship races run during a two-day festival worth more than $34 million in purses and awards, will be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., and the 2027 World Championships will be held Oct. 29-30 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. The Championships will be televised live by NBC Sports and FanDuel TV. Press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, BreedersCup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.
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