Road to the Kentucky Derby Contenders

To earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, horses will need to earn points in the designated Road to the Derby races.

2025–2026 Horse Leaderboard

  • American
  • European - Middle East
  • RANK
    HORSE
    OWNER
    TRAINER
    JOCKEY
    TOTAL POINTS
  • 1

    Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

    Steven M. Asmussen

    Gaffalione, Tyler

    11

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    Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.

    OWNER Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

    TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen

    JOCKEY Gaffalione, Tyler

    BREEDER Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $312,426

  • 2

    Spendthrift Farm LLC

    Todd A. Pletcher

    Velazquez, John R.

    10

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    Ted Noffey wins the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

    OWNER Spendthrift Farm LLC

    TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher

    JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.

    BREEDER Aaron & Marie Jones LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    EARNINGS $617,963

  • 1

    Mme J. Magnier/M.Tabor/D.Smit

    A P O'BRIEN

    Soumillon, C

    10

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    OWNER Mme J. Magnier/M.Tabor/D.Smit

    TRAINER A P O'BRIEN

    JOCKEY Soumillon, C

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $481,508

  • 3

    Gold Square LLC

    Chad Summers

    Rosario, Joel

    10

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    Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct.

    OWNER Gold Square LLC

    TRAINER Chad Summers

    JOCKEY Rosario, Joel

    BREEDER John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    EARNINGS $319,000

  • 4

    Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC

    Jeff Mullins

    Berrios, Hector Isaac

    10

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    Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita.

    OWNER Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC

    TRAINER Jeff Mullins

    JOCKEY Berrios, Hector Isaac

    BREEDER Sierra Fria Farm LLC

    SEX Ridgling

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $232,800

  • 2

    Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

    George Boughey

    10

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    OWNER Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

    TRAINER George Boughey

    BREEDER Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $141,418

  • 3

    A P O'Brien

    Ronan Whelan

    10

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    TRAINER A P O'Brien

    JOCKEY Ronan Whelan

  • 5

    Joseph W. Sutton

    Eddie Kenneally

    Gaffalione, Tyler

    5

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    Comport breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs

    OWNER Joseph W. Sutton

    TRAINER Eddie Kenneally

    JOCKEY Gaffalione, Tyler

    BREEDER Edwin Anthony

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $293,050

  • 6

    Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul

    Bob Baffert

    Hernandez, Juan J.

    5

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    Desert Gate winning the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar

    OWNER Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.

    BREEDER Twin Oaks Bloodstock

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $246,000

  • 7

    Brookdale Racing, Inc., Gasaway, Lance and Magdalena Racing

    Kenneth G. McPeek

    Torres, Cristian A.

    5

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    Blackout time wins at Ellis Park.

    OWNER Brookdale Racing, Inc., Gasaway, Lance and Magdalena Racing

    TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek

    JOCKEY Torres, Cristian A.

    BREEDER Newstead Corp

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    EARNINGS $210,691

  • 4

    Wertheimer & Frere

    C. Head

    Guyon, M

    5

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    OWNER Wertheimer & Frere

    TRAINER C. Head

    JOCKEY Guyon, M

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $208,472

  • 8

    Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable

    Danny Gargan

    Carmouche, Kendrick

    5

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    Talkin edges out Stradale at Saratoga.

    OWNER Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable

    TRAINER Danny Gargan

    JOCKEY Carmouche, Kendrick

    BREEDER Fifth Avenue Bloodstock

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $155,000

  • 5

    Wathnan Racing

    Andrew Balding

    5

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    OWNER Wathnan Racing

    TRAINER Andrew Balding

    BREEDER Cheveley Park Stud Limited

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $149,954

  • 6

    G M Lyons

    Colin Keane

    5

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    TRAINER G M Lyons

    JOCKEY Colin Keane

  • 9

    SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine

    Bob Baffert

    Prat, Flavien

    3

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    OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Prat, Flavien

    BREEDER Machmer Hall

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $130,188

  • 7

    Aga Khan Studs Sc

    H GRAFFARD F

    Barzalona, M

    3

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    OWNER Aga Khan Studs Sc

    TRAINER H GRAFFARD F

    JOCKEY Barzalona, M

    BREEDER His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs S.C.

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $123,424

  • 10

    Four G Racing LLC, Day, Gregg and Crain, Steven

    Kenneth G. McPeek

    Elliott, Christopher

    3

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    Universe wins at Saratoga.

    OWNER Four G Racing LLC, Day, Gregg and Crain, Steven

    TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek

    JOCKEY Elliott, Christopher

    BREEDER Becky Pietras

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $115,000

  • 11

    OXO Equine LLC

    William Walden

    Geroux, Florent

    3

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    Vost wins at Ellis Park.

    OWNER OXO Equine LLC

    TRAINER William Walden

    JOCKEY Geroux, Florent

    BREEDER OXO Equine LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $87,581

  • 12

    Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick

    Bob Baffert

    Kimura, Kazushi

    3

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    Plutarch at Santa Anita.

    OWNER Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi

    BREEDER Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $72,000

  • 8

    Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier

    P O'BRIEN AIDEN

    3

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    OWNER Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier

    TRAINER P O'BRIEN AIDEN

    BREEDER Coolmore

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $35,042

  • 9

    Joseph Patrick O'Brien

    Dylan McMonagle

    3

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    TRAINER Joseph Patrick O'Brien

    JOCKEY Dylan McMonagle

  • 10

    Ecurie Friedrider

    J-C ROUGET

    M Grandin

    2

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    OWNER Ecurie Friedrider

    TRAINER J-C ROUGET

    JOCKEY M Grandin

    BREEDER 2 0 Guy Pariente Holding Sprl

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $133,419

  • 13

    Green With MV Stable

    Patrick L. Biancone

    Ocasio, Jonathan

    2

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    Diciassette wins the Proud Man at Gulfstream Park.

    OWNER Green With MV Stable

    TRAINER Patrick L. Biancone

    JOCKEY Ocasio, Jonathan

    BREEDER Dominique Damico

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $94,137

  • 14

    Double Down Horse Racing

    Thomas M. Amoss

    Saez, Luis

    2

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    It's Our Time wins at Saratoga.

    OWNER Double Down Horse Racing

    TRAINER Thomas M. Amoss

    JOCKEY Saez, Luis

    BREEDER South Gate Farm, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    EARNINGS $85,000

  • 15

    Great Friends Stables and Davis, Mark D.

    Doug F. O'Neill

    Fresu, Antonio

    2

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    OWNER Great Friends Stables and Davis, Mark D.

    TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill

    JOCKEY Fresu, Antonio

    BREEDER St. Simon Place LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    EARNINGS $70,000

  • 16

    Mag Racing LLC

    Greg Compton

    Rodriguez, Jaime

    2

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    Nothing Personal wins at Colonial Downs.

    OWNER Mag Racing LLC

    TRAINER Greg Compton

    JOCKEY Rodriguez, Jaime

    BREEDER Woods Edge Farm, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $56,438

  • 11

    Godolphin

    Charlie Appleby

    2

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    OWNER Godolphin

    TRAINER Charlie Appleby

    BREEDER Godolphin

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray

    EARNINGS $21,244

  • 12

    Donnacha Aidan O'Brien

    Ben Cohen

    2

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    TRAINER Donnacha Aidan O'Brien

    JOCKEY Ben Cohen

  • 13

    Yeguada Centurion Slu

    P. Olave Valdivielso

    Madamet, A

    1

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    OWNER Yeguada Centurion Slu

    TRAINER P. Olave Valdivielso

    JOCKEY Madamet, A

    BREEDER Yeguada Centurion S.L.

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    EARNINGS $109,504

  • 17

    Bizzack, Gary and Bizzack, Tiffany

    Anthony Mitchell

    Saez, Luis

    1

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    #5 Pinky Finger edges out #5 Maximus Prime in the Kentucky Juvenile at Churchill Downs.

    OWNER Bizzack, Gary and Bizzack, Tiffany

    TRAINER Anthony Mitchell

    JOCKEY Saez, Luis

    BREEDER Brandywine Farm & Jim & PamRobinson

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $80,205

  • 18

    SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine

    Bob Baffert

    Rispoli, Umberto

    1

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    OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Rispoli, Umberto

    BREEDER Albaugh Family Stables LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $69,600

  • 14

    Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Westerberg/Brant

    P O'BRIEN AIDEN

    1

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    OWNER Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Westerberg/Brant

    TRAINER P O'BRIEN AIDEN

    BREEDER C. O. P. Hanbury

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $61,202

  • 19

    Kaleem Shah, Inc.

    Steven M. Asmussen

    Franco, Manuel

    1

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    Talkin edges out Stradale at Saratoga.

    OWNER Kaleem Shah, Inc.

    TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen

    JOCKEY Franco, Manuel

    BREEDER Richard Bremer & Cheryl Sprick

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    EARNINGS $52,000

  • 15

    A P O'Brien

    Declan McDonogh

    1

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    TRAINER A P O'Brien

    JOCKEY Declan McDonogh

Have You Found Your Derby Horses to Pick Above?

Learn more on what bets you can make on the Kentucky Derby

Placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby is a fun way to have a rooting interest in the outcome, even if you don’t know much about the sport. But learning a few nuances of handicapping horse races will elevate your enjoyment of the Derby to a new level.

How do our Wagering Experts see it?

Learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby with tips from our racing experts.

Predict the winner with a Future Wager

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers allow racing fans to bet on potential contenders in the Derby and Oaks before the races’ final entrants are determined.


Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up in the Kentucky Derby winners circle.

Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up in the Kentucky Derby winners circle.

What is the Road to the Kentucky Derby?

The Road to the Kentucky Derby, sponsored by Woodford Reserve, is a series of races where the top five horses in each race earn points. The 18 horses with the most points will get a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, which will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

There are three paths to the Kentucky Derby: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. The Derby prep races start in September and go through mid-April. These races are split into two parts: the Prep Season and the Championship Series. Horses earn points for finishing in the top five, and the Championship Series races give the most points. The horses with the most points, or those who win their international series, will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Learn more >

 


Stay Up To Date With The Latest News & Horses

Read here for the latest updates around the Kentucky Derby.

Wager big on the Kentucky Derby

View Expert Picks, Live Odds, Future Wager Pools and more horse information!

Download the Derby App

The Kentucky Derby app has everything you need to enjoy your day at the races.


Fierceness lying down as a foal

Fierceness illustrates his laid-back personality (Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farms)

Horse Info to Know

Horse breeds for the Kentucky Derby are Thoroughbred horses and are exclusively bred naturally. The foundation sires for Thoroughbred horses, or founding fathers, are the Darley Arabian (1700), Godolphin Arabian (1724) and Byerly Turk (1679).

No matter when a Thoroughbred horse is born, every Thoroughbred shares the same birthday of January 1st!

Horses can have an affinity to certain track surfaces and conditions. There are horses who thrive on grassy turf and others who may dominate on dirt. In both scenarios, even soft ground versus firm, or sloppy dirt can provide an advantage to horses who may be more comfortable with the changes. Yes, horses will naturally play in water puddles!

Horses who run in the Kentucky Derby are often purchased at horse auctions by their current owners. These sales, such as Keeneland, OBS, or Fasig-Tipton, can conduct horse sales for a specific age or context of the horses; like breeding stock versus two-year-olds in training and mixed age or sex.


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