Fair Grounds to Present Road to the Kentucky Derby Update Show Featuring Live UAE 2000 Guineas

By Kevin Kilroy —-

Fair Grounds to Present Road to the Kentucky Derby Update Show Featuring Live UAE 2000 Guineas

NEW ORLEANS (Jan. 22, 2026) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will present a special Road to the Kentucky Derby Update Show on Friday, Jan. 23, beginning at 11:15 a.m. CT, highlighted by the live running of the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) 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 one of the season’s early tests for emerging 3-year-old talent.

Hosted by John Dooley and Joe Kristufek, the show will include highlights from Golden Tempo’s Lecomte Stakes 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 UAE 2000 Guineas before a toss to Meydan for paddock coverage, post parade, the running of the race and post-race reaction.

The UAE 2000 Guineas has drawn a competitive field of 16 three-year-olds, dominated by American-bred colts, including Six Speed, winner of the Guineas Trial before the Not This Time colt was privately purchased by the American ownership group of Black Type Thoroughbreds, Brunetti Dugan Stables, Swinbank Stables, and Steve Adkisson. Chief among his challengers are Devon Island for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, who faces a deeper class test after two Meydan victories; Brotherly Love, a recent four-length maiden winner expected to benefit from blinkers; and Argentine-bred Legalaized, runner-up in the trial despite a wide trip.

Now part of the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby, the mile contest awards 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers and has proven to be a key steppingstone to the UAE Derby (G2).

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.