The Jeff Ruby Stakes and Louisiana Derby were the latest road to Kentucky Derby 2026 prep races and Fulleffort and Emerging Market punched their tickets to Louisville. In this report, I will recap the Jeff Ruby and LA Derby, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.
I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 30 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The road to the Derby continues with the Florida Derby (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 28.
Florida Derby field (race 14): 1 – Albus, 2 – Chief Wallabee, 3 – Wayne’s Law, 4 – Commandment, 5 – Redland Rebels, 6 – Nearly, 7 – Timeless Victory, 8 – The Puma, 9 – Gregarious.
Arkansas Derby field (race 13): 1 – Redland Rebels (15-1), 2 – Silent Tactic (5-2), 3 – Blackout Time (6-1), 4 – Bricklin (20-1), 5 – Taptastic (20-1), 6 – Renegade (3-2), 7 – Napoleon Solo (6-1), 8 – Exosome (20-1), 9 – Litmus Test (5-1).
Napoleon Solo will not run in the Arkansas Derby. He is being rerouted to the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 4.
Redland Rebels is entered in the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, and he is expected to run in the latter event. He was fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby in his last start.
Bricklin is entered in the Hot Springs Stakes on March 26 and the Arkansas Derby on March 28, and he is expected to run in the latter event. He was third in the Sunland Derby in his last start.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park (3-21-26): Medici figured to set the pace on the surface switch and he did just that under Mirco Demuro. He ran a quality race but could not go with the two favorites late. Fulleffort ($5.82) got a great closing trip and ride beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. and he kicked away from Stark Contrast in the lane to win by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths (94 BSF). Stark Contrast was a clear second and Medici was best of the rest in third. Stop the Car rallied for fourth and was followed by Argos (5th), Brave Force (6th), Two Out Hero (7th), Black Hornet (8th), Turf Star (9th), Maximus Prime (10th), Baytown Dreamer (11th), and Chaos Agent (pulled up). Brad Cox saddled the winner. Fractions: 23.18, 47.16, 1:11.34, 1:36.95, 1:49.94.
Grade 2 LA Derby at Fair Grounds (3-21-26): Pavlovian was aggressively handled from the inside post under Edwin Maldonado as expected. He dueled with Autobahn, and Chip Honcho chased those two from third. Emerging Market stalked from the outside post and Golden Tempo was squeezed at the start and was making up ground from off the pace. Emerging Market ($6) made a wide move approaching the stretch and came after Pavlovian, and the former prevailed by a head in a gutsy effort (90 BSF). Pavlovian was drifting out in the stretch and fought hard to the end. Golden Tempo moved inside in the stretch due to Pavlovian drifting out, and he missed by a length and a head in a clear show finish. Universe was best of the rest in fourth and Chip Honcho was a weakening 5th. Blacksmith (6th), Spirit of Royal (7th), Easterly (8th), and Autobahn (9th) rounded out the order of finish. Flavien Prat rode the winner for Chad Brown and this was just his second career start. Fractions: 22.65, 46.23, 1:10.85, 1:36.47, 1:55.18.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Results
Iroquois (10-5-3-2-1) – Sept. 13 – Winner: Spice Runner ($12.38)
Champagne (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Napoleon Solo ($15.94)
American Pharoah (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Intrepido ($19.60)
Breeders’ Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Ted Noffey ($3.84)
Street Sense (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 26 – Winner: Incredibolt ($10.18)
BC Juvenile (30-15-9-6-3) – Oct. 31 – Winner: Ted Noffey ($3.60)
Ky Jockey Club (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 29 – Winner: Further Ado ($3.40)
Remsen (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Paladin ($5.76)
Los Al Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 13 – Winner: Litmus Test ($3.20)
Gun Runner (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 20 – Winner: Chip Honcho ($9.80)
Springboard Mile (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 20 – Winner: Express Kid ($71.00)
Jerome (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 3 – Winner: My World ($7.24)
Smarty Jones (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 3 – Winner: Strategic Risk ($7.00)
Lecomte (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 17 – Winner: Golden Tempo ($7.40)
Holy Bull (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31 – Winner: Nearly ($5.40)
Southwest (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Silent Tactic ($26.00)
Withers (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Talk to Me Jimmy ($26.54)
Robert Lewis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7 – Winner: Plutarch ($10.20)
Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7 – Winner: Renegade ($4.40)
Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 14 – Winner: Paladin ($3.40)
Sunland Derby (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 15 – Winner: Pavlovian ($12.20)
John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 21 – Winner: Great White ($32.32)
Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: Commandment ($6.80)
Gotham (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: Iron Honor ($3.88)
Rebel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Class President ($19.00)
Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 7 – Winner: The Puma ($16.80)
San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5) – March 7 – Winner: Potente ($18.20)
Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 14 – Winner: Incredibolt ($14.40)
Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 21 – Winner: Fulleffort ($5.82)
Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 21 – Winner: Emerging Market ($6.00)
Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 11
Top 25 Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Leaders (thru 3-23-26)
Fulleffort (110 points)
Emerging Market (100 points)
Pavlovian (70 points)
Paladin (60 points)
Incredibolt (60 points)
Golden Tempo (60 points)
The Puma (56 points)
Silent Tactic (50 points)
Class President (50 points)
Stark Contrast (50 points)
Commandment (50 points)
Iron Honor (50 points)
Potente (50 points)
Chip Honcho (49 points)
Universe (38 points)
Grittiness (36 points)
Further Ado (35 points)
Litmus Test (34 points)
Renegade (25 points)
Chief Wallabee (25 points)
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Robusta (25 points)
Intrepido (23 points)
Express Kid (20 points)
Nearly (20 points)
Talk to Me Jimmy (20 points)
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2026 Contenders (3-23-26)
1 – PALADIN (Gun Runner – Secret Sigh, by Tapit) – Trainer: Chad Brown – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: He won his last two Grade 2 starts at a mile and an eighth (Remsen, Risen Star). He shows four published workouts at Payson Park since his last stakes victory including a half-mile breeze in 49.20 (4/72) on March 21. The Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 4 is his next scheduled assignment.
2 – RENEGADE (Into Mischief – Spice is Nice, by Curlin) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: Last year’s Remsen (G2) runner-up returned from a layoff and rallied smartly over a speed conducive oval to win the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7. He has breezed five times since that race including a half-mile breeze in 49.56 (9/23) at Palm Beach Downs on March 21. He is entered in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn on March 28 and he is the 3-2 morning line favorite.
3 – NEARLY (Not This Time – IB Prospecting, by Mineshaft) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: We have not seen the Grade 3 Holy Bull hero since Jan. 31. He has worked six times at Palm Beach Downs since his last start including a 4f move in 49.16 (2/23) on March 21. He is entered in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on March 28.
4 – COMMANDMENT (Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor, by Orb) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: He captured his last three starts including the Mucho Macho Man and Fountain of Youth (G2) at the Gulf. He has worked twice this month at Payson Park including a 5f bullet in 1:01.80 (1/17) on March 21. He is entered in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28.
5 – CHIEF WALLABEE (Constitution – A La Lucie by Medaglia d’Oro) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: He defeated recent Tampa Bay Derby (G3) hero The Puma in his career debut, and he exits a fine runner-up finish in the Fountain of Youth (G2) second time out. He breezed 5f in 1:02.20 (7/17) at Payson Park on March 21 and he is entered in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28.
6 – GOLDEN TEMPO (Curlin – Carrumba, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Cherie DeVaux – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: The Lecomte (G3) hero rallied for the show in the Risen Star (G2) and LA Derby (G2). He added blinkers in the latter event and was squeezed at the start and was third by a length in a respectable effort. He is slowly getting faster and the Kentucky Derby is his next assignment.
7 – REAGAN’S HONOR (Honor A. P. – Rutile, by Medaglia d’Oro) – Trainer: Cherie DeVaux – Last Ranking (7)
Comments: He captured his last two dirt routes at the Fair Grounds including a fast allowance win on Feb. 19. He has worked three times in New Orleans this month including a four panel breeze in 47.80 (5/51) on March 20. He is preparing for his stakes debut in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 4.
8 – CHEROKEE NATION (Not This Time – Believe In Charlie, by Indian Charlie) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: His facile flat mile maiden win on Feb. 27 was fast and strong. He worked a half-mile in 48.00 (8/35) at Santa Anita on March 20 and is targeting the Grade 1 SA Derby on April 4.
9 – FURTHER ADO (Gun Runner – Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (9)
Comments: He finished a close second in a 3-horse battle to the wire in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7. He breezed a half-mile in 49.80 (9/46) at Payson Park on March 20 and might go next in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 4.
10 – LITMUS TEST (Nyquist – Study Hard, by Malibu Moon) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (10)
Comments: He carved out the fractions from the inside post and finished third in the Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 1, and that was his first start since winning the Los Al Futurity (G2) late last year. He worked a half-mile in 48.80 (31/90) at Oaklawn on March 14 and went four furlongs in 48.40 (12/101) on March 21. He is entered in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 and he landed the outside post.
11 – SILENT TACTIC (Tacitus – Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) – Trainer: Mark Casse – Last Ranking (11)
Comments: The closer finished first or second in all five starts. He looked good winning the Southwest (G3) and just missed in the Rebel Stakes (G2). He is entered in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn on March 28.
Next Nine: (12) Emerging Market, (13) Fulleffort, (14) Class President, (15) Potente, (16) The Puma, (17) Intrepido, (18) Incredibolt, (19) Iron Honor, (20) Pyromancer.
