Crash Course on Futurities, Derbies, and slot races
Whether you’re dreaming of six-figure checks or just trying to figure out when to enter your first futurity, there’s a lot of noise out there and not enough people telling the whole truth.
This post is your crash course in how the high-stakes barrel racing world works: futurities, derbies, incentives, and slot races. We’ll break down what they are, how much they cost, what you can win, and why the smartest move might actually be waiting until your horse is five.
What Is a Futurity?
A futurity is a barrel race for young horses in their first competition year, usually 4 or 5 years old.
But here’s the catch: your horse only gets one futurity year.
The rule is simple:
A horse cannot compete before Novmeber 15th of its 3-year-old year if you want to protect futurity eligibility as a 4 year old. Once you enter your first futurity, the clock starts and you get until November 14 of the next year.
So, if your horse turns 4 on January 1(general rule of thumb for aged events) and you enter BFA in November, your futurity year runs November through October.
If you wait and don’t enter until June or even November of their 4-year-old year, that’s totally allowed and often the smarter decision. But regardless, their futurity year ends November.
If you have a three-year-old ready to enter by November 15, they have a “Juvenile” race at the BFA (first event that marks the start of the futurity year) that is strictly for the three-year-old first race.
Trainer Tip
Most top trainers won’t enter unless the horse is 110 percent ready by August. They are typically looking for their horses to be clocking .5 off winning by then.
That gives you 2 to 3 months to season and haul before November events like the BFA begin.
Should You Start at 4 or Wait Till 5?
Here’s the honest answer:
If your horse isn’t confident, consistent, broke-broke, and clocking .5 off by late summer of their 3-year-old year, wait.
You’re going to be spending 600 to 1,500 dollars or more per entry fee, and the competition is intense. This is not where you go to see where your horse is at. This is where you go to win.
Waiting a year:
Protects your investment
Gives your horse more time to mature
Sets you up for better results
Often saves you money long term
No one cares if your horse is a 5-year-old futurity colt. The money is the same. The wins count just as much.
What Is a Derby?
A derby is for horses who have aged out of futurities but are still in their early competitive years, usually 6 and 7-year-olds. If they ran futurities as a 4-year-old, then their derby years would be 5-7. If they ran at 5, they would derby at 6-8.
Same format as a futurity
Sometimes held alongside futurities
Payouts are still strong, often 10,000 to 50,000 dollars for first
Many incentives offer dedicated Derby classes
This gives you a second chance at big checks if you didn’t light the world on fire your futurity year, or just want to keep winning.
Example: My horse is born in 2022. It’s October 2025. If she is clocking .5 off winning in exhibitions, she would be ready to futurity November 15th 2025, and I could enter the Juvenile, then run her at futurities until November 14th 2026. If she isn’y ready, I will wait until November 15th, 2026 to enter her, then continue running her at futurities until November 14th 2027. After the first year I enter her, I can enter her in derbies for the next 2-3 years (certain races allow a third year of derbies).
Incentives: The Multi-Dollar Boost
Incentive programs are like bonus pools for eligible horses. If your horse is by a stallion enrolled in the program, you can enter side pots or exclusive races with massive payouts.
Pink Buckle
Pink Buckle is the world’s richest barrel race, with a guaranteed $4.2 million payout in 2025. The money goes not just to the rider, but also to the owner, breeder, and stallion owner.
You must be riding a horse by a Pink Buckle stallion to enter.
2025 Entry Fees:
Open 5D: $500
Futurity 2D: $500
Derby 2D: $500
Non-Pro Side Pot: $250
Amateur Futurity Side Pot: $250
Sale Graduate Futurity: $250
Sale Graduate 4D: $250
Open Average Side Pot: $250
Owner/Rider Side Pot: $250
Premiere Pink Side Pot: $250
Youth Incentive Side Pot: Free
All classes are optional and can be stacked, so most people enter multiple divisions and side pots. It’s not uncommon for a single run to be eligible for $10,000 to $100,000+ in possible payout depending on how many pots you’re entered in and how you place.
Ruby Buckle
Ruby Buckle is the sister program to Pink Buckle, but instead of one annual race, Ruby hosts multiple regional races across the country.
Entry fees typically range from $750 to $1,250 depending on the class and event.
Payouts can be huge here too, often $75,000 to $100,000 for first in the Futurity or Open classes.
Like Pink, Ruby also pays stallion owners, breeders, and incentivizes owner/riders.
Other major incentives include:
Breeders Challenge
Royal Crown
Colorado Classic
Triple Crown 100
Future Fortunes
Select Stallion Stakes
Many events offer multiple incentive pots layered into one run, meaning you can make one pass and pull a check from three, four, even five different side pots. This is why selecting a well-nominated horse matters so much when shopping for a futurity prospect.
High-Stakes Races and Slot Races: Where You Run for 20,000 Dollars or More
Some races go beyond the incentive pots and offer huge guaranteed money in exchange for steep entry fees or limited entry slots. These are the races for people who are all in.
The Texan Slot Race
Held at the Taylor Telecom Arena in Abilene, Texas, The Texan is one of the richest races in the country.
In 2025, they are guaranteeing over 850,000 dollars in payouts, with more than 1.2 million paid out in 2024.
Entry Fee: $1,395 (early bird)
Each entry gets two runs
Riders can enter up to three times on the same horse
Guaranteed Payouts:
1D Champion: $100,000
2D Champion: $75,000
3D Champion: $50,000
4D Champion: $40,000
5D Champion: $30,000
Plus big money for 2nd through 12th in each D
Daily payouts also guaranteed (1st place in each D wins $1,500)
Incentives Include:
Texan Futurity ($2,500 added)
Texan Derby ($2,500 added)
Texan Youth, Adult, and Senior Championships
Texan Average and Diamond Classic Bonuses
Rodeo Side Pot
This event attracts top futurity, derby, and open riders, and offers one of the highest paying 5D structures in the sport today.
The ALL IN Barrel Race (Las Vegas, NV)
The ALL IN Barrel Race is one of the most prestigious and competitive events in the country, held annually in Las Vegas during NFR week. Known for its big payout structure and exclusive experience, it offers top-tier money for Open riders, futurity and derby horses, and youth competitors.
*My personal take: for the money and the amount of people entered, your odd are better at races like the texan that are local, limited entries, higher payout. Barrel racing is a gamble, find the race where the odds are better!
Entry Fee:
$1,495 for first horse (includes hotel for 4 nights, stall, contestant jacket, and parking)
$1,195 for additional horses (without hotel/jacket)
Payment plans available
Early bird deadline: July 31, 2025
Race Format:
Two qualifying rounds (5D format, 1/2 second splits)
Reverse drag order in Round 2
Top 15 in each D from both rounds qualify for the Showdown Round
Clean slate Showdown with separate payout
Buy Back Round: $200 entry, top 4 in each D advance to Showdown
Guaranteed Payouts:
Qualifying Rounds (Each Round):
1st in each D: $1,600
Pays down to 10th in each D ($500 minimum)
Bottom’s Up Payout for last 3 in 1D–4D (up to $300)
Showdown Round:
1D Champion: $20,000 + Saddle
2D Champion: $15,000 + Saddle
3D Champion: $14,000 + Saddle
4D Champion: $13,000 + Saddle
5D Champion: $12,000 + Saddle
All divisions pay down to 5th place
Incentives and Side Pots:
$10,000 Added High Stakes Championship ($1,000 entry, 3D format)
$25,000 Added Youth Championship ($500 entry, 4D format)
$5,000 Added Futurity (5 and under, $350 entry, 2D whole second splits)
$5,000 Added Derby (2016 or younger, $350 entry, 2D half second splits)
Adult and Senior Championships: $350 entry each
Youth, Adult, and Senior Side Pots: $100 entry each
Who Is This Right For?
If you’re the type of rider who:
• Treats barrel racing like a business
• Loves a challenge
• Has a horse with potential and wants to run for serious money
Then futurities, derbies, and slot races might be the path for you.
But if you’re just getting started, don’t rush it. Let your horse catch up. Let yourself learn. Make a plan and trust your gut, not the pressure.
The Bottom Line
Barrel racing has levels, and futurities are the first step into the big leagues. The races I listed are just 4 of like 100, theres plenty to choose from!
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s competitive. But with the right horse, the right timeline, and the right mindset, you can turn a prospect into a money earner and a dream into a career.
And whether you run at 4 or hold until 5, that dream is still very much on track.
