That is the fourth installment of our weekly characteristic articles. horse racing nation It tracks the Kentucky Derby horses at Churchill Downs via the primary Saturday in Could.
Because the calendar bids farewell to 1 12 months and hiya to the following, we’re solely 4 months away from the 2026 version of the best two-minute announcement in sports activities historical past.
Inside that time-frame, if you would like your younger horse to be in prime situation on the primary Saturday in Could, you are unlikely to have any issues. With out additional ado, that is my present scenario. Kentucky Derby 2026 New 12 months rating. In truth, this bakery’s dozen additionally consists of Additional Ado.
1. Ted Nophy (Into Mischief – Streak of Luck, by Previous Long-established). Whereas there could also be some doubts about his skill to excel at traditional distances, there’s little doubt that this spectacular progeny of Into Mischief is America’s greatest progeny in 2025. His Group 1 wins within the Hopeful at Saratoga, the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar have been decisive wins, and he additionally confirmed he was able to successful anyplace. He is a powerful candidate for the highest spot for the time being, however let’s have a look at how this undefeated colt develops as a sophomore beneath coach Todd Pletcher.
2. unimaginable bolt (Volt d’Oro – Sapphire Spitfire, written by Superior Once more). This $75,000 yearling buy cut price from Pin Oak Stud resulted in two younger horse wins on the house monitor at Churchill Downs. He made his debut at Ellis Park out of the Riley Mott steady and moved up the sphere to complete fourth, however was able to shine in his second profession begin. After a powerful first efficiency within the flat mile, he returned 4 weeks later with an attention-grabbing outing from final to first within the Road Sense Stakes (G3). After a brief break, he returned to his workshop in South Florida.
3. paladin (Gun Runner – Secret Sigh, by Tapit). Nonetheless chasing his first Kentucky Derby win, coach Chad Brown got here tantalizingly shut in 2024 with champion Sierra Leone. This time he makes Gun Runner’s different good-looking son run for the roses once more. In his profession debut, the $1.9 million yearling competed towards a proficient stallion named Renegade and misplaced the battle to Wire, which was held up by disqualification. After a promising debut at Aqueduct, he overcame his troubles to come back again with a shocking victory within the nine-furlong Remsen Stakes (G2). He logged his first exercise in Florida on Sunday.
4. Much more noise (Gun Runner – Sky Dreamer, written by Sky Mesa). Like Ted Nophy, this showy chestnut is owned by Spendthrift Farm. The two-year-old, purchased for $550,000 as a coaching horse, confirmed promise regardless of dropping the dash at Saratoga within the first two races of his profession, however by the second nook he was an entire new horse. First, he scored a blowout win by 20 lengths at Keeneland, extending his first win in simply the third race of his profession. He then gained the Kentucky Jockey Membership (G2) at Churchill Downs in late November, turning into a serious prize winner.
5. blunt (Gun Runner – Tynan, from Liam’s map). Persevering with the Gun Runner theme, that is the primary theme on the record by six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert. The 2-year-old horse, bought for $3 million in coaching, didn’t disappoint with a pointy debut rating. He then gained the Del Mar Futurity (G1). He then fought Ted Nophy within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, dropping within the closing phases for the primary lack of his profession. He has but to race anyplace aside from Del Mar, and his paddling model might turn out to be a priority over time. However taking a look at his pedigree, he’ll have the ability to deal with longer distances as he matures.
6. napoleon solo (Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde by Scat Daddy). Coach Chad Summers could have a superb horse on this grey Liams Map offspring. As an alternative of working him cross nation to run him within the Breeders’ Cup, we refreshed him in hopes of working him robust within the Traditional. The horse, who was an attention-grabbing debut winner at Saratoga, returned within the 1-mile Champagne Stakes (G1) and dominated a strong subject with the damaging energy of his midfield. It was one of the spectacular performances of any horse, with a quick time and a victory by greater than six lengths. He hasn’t examined two turns but, however he clearly has nice expertise.
7. litmus paper (Nyquist–Research Onerous, by Malibu Moon). The $875,000 buy of the yearling gave coach Bob Baffert strong ends in his 5 begins as a juvenile, and he ended the season with a powerful efficiency within the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). He appears to be like like a sturdy sort up to now and will thrive beneath Baffert’s regime. He began two races in the past and confirmed his true potential within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, dropping to Ted Nophy by lower than two lengths. He returned to work after his win at Los Alamitos in December.
8. gunner (Into Mischief – Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon The horse, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Garvin, was despatched to Brad Cox’s barn for $1.75 million and made an early debut at Churchill Downs within the spring. He was given sufficient time for his second begin and returned to the identical monitor in late November, the place he was as spectacular as ever.
9. Energy outage time (“Not This Time – Magnificence Parlor” by Elusive High quality). The colt, the primary of two in coach Kenny McPeek’s rankings, has impressed with three high quality begins at three Kentucky racetracks. He had a promising second-place end in his debut at Churchill Downs, adopted by a powerful first win at Ellis Park. He then raced in Grade 1 firm and completed second to Ted Nophy within the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. He was compelled to overlook the Breeders’ Cup as a result of veterinary considerations and is on go away, but when he returns wholesome he might be a participant to look at.
10. universe (International Marketing campaign – Equalityforall, written by High quality Street). Though he has but to make a breakthrough with a stakes win, McPeak’s cost continues to enhance and he’s working a superb race. A primary-come-first-served win at Saratoga, he returned to 3rd within the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct earlier than two robust runs at Churchill Downs. A strong second place behind Road Sense’s Incrediblet was adopted by a strong rally following Kentucky Jockey Membership’s Father Add. He’ll make his first begin as a 3-year-old in a strong subject within the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
11. Renegade (Into Mischief – Spice is Good, by Carlin). If it wasn’t for Paladin, this Todd Pletcher-trained son of Into Mischief would have gotten extra consideration. The one maiden to interrupt these rankings, he started his profession with a third-place end at Saratoga, however was a great distance off his successful It is Our Time. He then made nice strides when he cut up horses at Maid of the Aqueduct and drove Paladin into the wire, however was taken down for bumping his new rival. Though he was solely second to that athlete at Remsen, he confirmed a want for 2 turns whereas doing very effectively on the massive monitor.
12. british (Maxfield – In It for the Gold, by Speightstown). This was Shelley Devaux’s solely profession begin, however he made an impression. The spectacular runner Max Area’s first offspring made his debut at Churchill Downs in September, the place he toppled his opponents in his first seven-furlong race. In his debut race, the place he was rewarded with robust velocity numbers, he was not pushed round and seemed like a stallion who will develop effectively. The horse, owned by CRK Stables, goals to comply with within the footsteps of Baeza, who completed third within the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
13. void (Violence – A Style of Crimson, by Road Boss). The Violence colt, third on coach Bob Baffert’s record, introduced in $1.05 million in coaching purchases for 2-year-old horses. Unbeaten in two races, he made his debut over 5 furlongs at Del Mar and pulled away in quick time. His subsequent begin was per week later within the six-and-a-half furlong Ed Brown Stakes at Churchill Downs, the place he as soon as once more set quick instances and carried out effectively. We’ll have to attend and see if he needs to take the bottom route, as he is closely favored for each profession begins.
