Rookie rankings as of December 16th: 2026 Kentucky Derby favorites

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On the second Saturday of December, the rookie rankings for subsequent spring’s Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve have modified greater than many horse racing followers anticipated.

Two new names have been added to the record. That one is no surprise. litmus paper. The bay colt, who completed within the prime 4 in TAA’s Del Mar Futurity, Claiborne Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, had the most effective efficiency of his profession Saturday on the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos Racetrack.

Dealing with 5 rivals, Litmus Check raced in second place many of the method, successful by 1 1/4 lengths in a quick time of 1:42.38. He raced alongside the inexperienced a bit within the dwelling stretch and appeared reluctant to tug away from pacesetter Provenance till the stretch run Blacksmith mounted a late problem. At that time, the litmus check found one other gear, suggesting they might have had extra reserves than first appeared.

Litmus Check will debut within the #7 spot in Week 3 of the Rookie Rankings. His win at Los Alamitos Futurity can be pleasing. Ted Nophy (#1) and Mr. AP (#5) Completed forward of the litmus check within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

One other new identify on this week’s rookie rankings is iron honor. The son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist made his debut Saturday within the six-furlong opener at Aqueduct and bravely chased down the pacesetter to win by a size and a half.

Whereas Iron Honor’s margin of victory wasn’t eye-catching, two different components made his efficiency noteworthy. First, the second-place horse had a seven-and-a-half size lead over the third-place horse. Second place Iron Honor reached the end line in 1 minute 11.23 seconds, a quick time for the day when the Suidobashi filth race was held late.

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Iron Honor has likelihood of enhancing dramatically with expertise and maturity. In consequence, he earned the tenth spot within the rookie rankings.

To make method for litmus checks and iron honors, british and Renegade It is off the record. The Englishman, a first-time runaway winner, stays an thrilling Kentucky Derby risk, however he hasn’t logged a time coaching in almost two months. Renegade, who completed second within the G2 Remsen Stakes on December sixth, will be mentioned to be the primary “eligible” horse at eleventh within the rankings.

Listed here are the newest rookie rankings:


1. Ted Nophy: Because the fourth son of Into Mischief, he goals to win the Kentucky Derby following Genuine (2020), Mandalon (2021) and Sovereignty (2025).

Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm

coach: tod plecher

Closing race: 1centFanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Offered by TAA, October 31 Del Mar


2. Plus further: Gun Runner’s offspring have a pedigree that improves with age, making his victory within the Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes all of the extra important.

Proprietor: Spendthrift Farm

coach: brad cox

Closing race: 1centKentucky Jockey Membership Stakes, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs


3. Paladin: Sierra Leone, Zandon and Normandy Invasion, who’ve been ridden by coach Chad Brown prior to now, overcame losses within the Remsen Stakes to complete within the prime 4 on the Kentucky Derby. Paladin has been main the sport since his win over Remsen.

Proprietor: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brandt, Brooke Smith, Summer time Wind Equine

coach: chad brown

Closing race: 1centRemsen Stakes, December 6 Suidobashi

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4. Satono Voyage: The offspring of North America’s main stallion Into Mischief is aiming to develop into the primary Japan-based horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Proprietor: Hajime Satomi

coach: Hiroyasu Tanaka

Closing race: 1centCattleya Stakes, November twenty ninth Tokyo Racecourse


5. Mr. Apu: A runner-up end within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile appears even higher after a profitable litmus check at Los Alamitos Futurity.

Proprietor: Holly Wilson and David Wilson

coach: Vladimir Chelin

Closing race: 2n.d.FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Offered by TAA, October 31 Del Mar


6.Energy outage time: He’s aiming to win the Kentucky Derby because the eldest son of common stallion Not This Time. The most effective Derby end ever for a stallion was Epicenter’s second-place end in 2022.

Proprietor: Brookdale Racing, Lance Gasaway, Magdalena Racing

coach: kenny mcpeak

Closing race: 2n.d.Claiborne Breeders Futurity, Oct. 4, Keeneland Racetrack.


7. litmus paper: The sturdy stallion has improved with each begin and heads into winter with loads of room to climb.

Proprietor: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stone Avenue Stables, Diane Bashor, Decided Stables, Golconda Stables, Waves Edge Capital, Katherine Donovan

coach: bob baffert

Closing race: 1centLos Alamitos Futurity, December 13, Los Alamitos Racetrack


8. Napoleon Solo: He set an unbelievable tempo within the Champagne Stakes and received by six and a half lengths over a bunch of horses that included Universe, who went on to complete a number of occasions within the graded races.

Proprietor: gold sq.

coach: Chad Summers

Closing race: 1centChampagne Stakes, October 4th Belmont Large A


9. Gunner: In her first win, Cannonier accomplished the seven furlongs in 1:21.63, simply 1.19 seconds shy of the course report set by two-time Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Dash winner Groupie Doll in 2012.

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Proprietor: St. Elias Stables and Stonestreet Stables

coach: brad cox

Closing race: 1centFirst Particular Weight, November twenty ninth at Churchill Downs


10. Iron Honor: A fast first win suggests he has a vibrant future forward of him, particularly since his pedigree favors long-term success.

Proprietor: St. Elias Stables, William Lawrence, Kathy Glassman

coach: chad brown

Closing race: 1centVirgin Particular Weight, December thirteenth Suidobashi

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