The horses are starting to arrive at Churchill Downs as we inch closer to Kentucky Derby 2026. In this report, I will take a look at the latest news, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.
Ottinho dropped out of the Derby field yesterday and that allowed Chief Wallabee to jump into the body of the race. Grittiness was removed from Derby consideration on Saturday as well.
On Sunday, Nearly and Bravaro were dropped from consideration. The former will go to Centennial Farms for some rest and relaxation after training unsatisfactorily in recent weeks. Bravaro is targeting the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Saratoga on June 3.
Chip Honcho, 21st on the points list, breezed 5f in 59.80 (6/39) at CD on April 18. He galloped out 6f in 1:12.72 and 7f in 1:25.73. He worked in company with last-out New Orleans Classic (G2) runner-up Corporate Power. Steve Asmussen’s colt has early-pressing speed and could play a big pace role if he gets into the Derby field.
Intrepido, currently 22nd on the points list, worked a half-mile in 47.20 (2/97) at Santa Anita on April 19. Hector Berrios will ride if he makes the 20-horse field.
Litmus Test is back under consideration for Bob Baffert. He will ship from Oaklawn to Churchill this week. He is currently 23rd on the points list.
Great White, 5th in the G1 Blue Grass in his last start, is back in the Derby picture. He is 24th on the points list as of April 19.
Napoleon Solo, 25th on the points list, breezed four panels in 48.26 (32/88) at Belmont Park (dirt training) on April 17.
The connections of Ocelli, 26th on the Derby points list, would like to run in the Derby. He breezed 4f in 47.60 (10/65) at Churchill on April 18. The Wood Memorial show finisher is still a maiden after six starts. If he does not get to run in the Derby, they will target a special weight race on the Derby undercard.
I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 37 points races, my top choices had 13 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 7 show finishes.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Results (Top Choice Winners Bolded)
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 – Winner: Renegade ($4.00)
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28 – Winner: Commandment ($5.80)
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28 – Winner: Wonder Dean
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Further Ado ($3.74)
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: So Happy ($16.60)
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Albus ($25.78)
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 11 – Winner: Trendsetter ($66.68)
Top 26 Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Leaders (thru 4-19-26)
1 Commandment
2 Further Ado
3 Renegade
4 So Happy
5 Fulleffort
6 The Puma
7 Silent Tactic
8 Emerging Market
9 Albus
10 Potente
11 Pavlovian
12 Right to Party
13 Incredibolt
14 Golden Tempo
15 Stark Contrast
16 Iron Honor
17 Chief Wallabee
18 Danon Bourbon
19 Wonder Dean
20 Six Speed
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Need Defections to Get In:
21 Chip Honcho
22 Intrepido
23 Litmus Test
24 Great White
25 Napoleon Solo
26 Ocelli
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Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2026 Contenders (4-19-26)
1 – RENEGADE (Into Mischief – Spice is Nice, by Curlin) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: Had his first workout since impressively winning the G1 Arkansas Derby on March 28. His trainer Todd Pletcher opted to go for two Derby works instead of three. On April 16, he breezed a half-mile in 48.87 (3/10) at Palm Beach Downs. He worked in company with Powershift, and they went out 5f in 1:01.88 and 6f in 1:15.36. Pletcher was pleased with the move. He said that he is not a fast work horse, and looking at his workout history, that is a true statement. He was happy with his fitness level and the gallop out. He will work again at Palm Beach Downs on April 23 and ship to Churchill the next day. Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
2 – COMMANDMENT (Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor, by Orb) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: 5f in 59.60 (3/20) at Churchill on April 17 under Luis Saez. In company with Direct Strike. Out 1:12.20 and 7f in 1:26.20. He is not a fast worker and Brad Cox was pleased with this exercise. Jockey: Luis Saez.
3 – CHIEF WALLABEE (Constitution – A La Lucie by Medaglia d’Oro) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: He is officially in the field following the defection on Ottinho. Ran well without winning in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). He breezed 4f in 49.60 (15/79) at Payson Park on April 11. He worked in company with Batten Down and galloped out in front, and Batten Down finished second in the Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland on April 18. He added blinkers on April 11 and is expected to wear them in the Derby. Jockey: Junior Alvarado.
4 – THE PUMA (Essential Quality – Eve of War, by Declaration of War) – Trainer: Gustavo Delgado – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: Turned in a good looking breeze at Gulfstream on April 18 under Javier Castellano. He traveled 5f in 1:00.77 (5/15) and went all the way out to a mile in 1:37.67. This is what I want to see from a Derby work. A combination of speed and stamina, and he got better as the work went on. He looks like a live Derby contender at this stage. Jockey: Javier Castellano.
5 – FURTHER ADO (Gun Runner – Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: 4f in 48.60 (23/61) at Churchill on April 17. Solo move. Galloped out 5f in 1:01 and 6f in 1:13.80. He showed nice energy and had a solid gallop out. He seems to have bounced out of the Blue Grass in good order. Jockey: John Velazquez.
6 – EMERGING MARKET (Candy Ride – Wild Empress, by Empire Maker) – Trainer: Chad Brown – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: A very good looking 4f in 48.40 (1/3) at Payson Park on April 18. In company with Favorable Scenario. He was out 5f in 1:02.08 and 1:15.60. He might only have two starts but he acs like a seasoned pro and I consider him a legit Derby win contender. He is scheduled to arrive at Churchill on Monday. Jockey: Flavien Prat.
7 – FULLEFFORT (Liam’s Map – Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (7)
Comments: 5f bullet in 59.20 (1/20) at Churchill on April 17. In company with Chasten. He went out 6f in 1:11.60 and 7f in 1:25.40. It sure looks like the synthetic specialist is handling the main track oval at Churchill.
8 – GOLDEN TEMPO (Curlin – Carrumba, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Cherie DeVaux – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: 4f in 47.00 (2/58) at Keeneland on April 17. In company with Not to Worry. He will breeze again at Keeneland next Friday before shipping to Churchill. Jockey: Jose Ortiz.
9 – SILENT TACTIC (Tacitus – Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) – Trainer: Mark Casse – Last Ranking (9)
Comments: Mark Casse’s consistent closer finished first or second in all six outings. He breezed a half-mile in 49.40 (26/59) at Oaklawn on April 12.
10 – POTENTE (Into Mischief – Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (10)
Comments: He breezed a half-mile in 48.60 (25/35) at Santa Anita on April 14. Jockey: Juan Hernandez.
11 – SO HAPPY (Runhappy – So Cunning, by Blame) – Trainer: Mark Glatt – Last Ranking (11)
Comments: 5f in 59.60 (1/44) at Santa Anita on April 17. In company and Mike Smith aboard. He will ship to Churchill on Tuesday and have his final Derby work under the Twin Spires. Jockey: Mike Smith.
Next Nine (last start/latest workout)
(12) Pavlovian – 2nd LA Derby. 6f in 1:15.00 (1/2) at Santa Anita on April 19. Jockey: Edwin Maldonado.
(13) Incredibolt – 1st Virginia Derby. 4f in 49.95 (34/47) at Palm Meadows April 18. Out 5f in 1:03.70. Jockey: Jaime Torres.
(14) Albus – 1st Wood Memorial. 4f in 49.00 (35/65) at Churchill on April 18. Galloped out 6f in 1:15.83.
(15) Stark Contrast – 2nd Jeff Ruby Steaks. 5f in 59.80 (6/20) at Churchill on April 17 under Flavien Prat.
(16) Right to Party – 2nd Wood Memorial. 5f in 1:00.80 (23/39) April 18. In company with Very Connected. Jockey: Chris Elliott.
(17) Wonder Dean – 1st UAE Derby.
(18) Six Speed – 2nd UAE.
(19) Danon Bourbon – 1st Fukuryu Stakes (Japan).
(20) Iron Honor – 7th Wood Memorial. 4f in 49.00 (46/147) at BEL (dirt training) on April 18. Out 5f in 1:02.55 (blinkers off).
