Feeling the Derby Power: Kentucky Derby Power Rankings 2025 [Oct. 21]

Oct 21, 2025

Ted Noffey wins the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

POWER RANKINGS: NEW ENTRIES FOR CONFESSIONAL, DR. KAPUR

Week 3: As with last week, it’s been a relatively quiet time on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

With the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Oct. 31, the focus for the best 2026 Classic contenders, a few of the big guns have already been racing. Much of the juvenile action in the past week has been in state-bred contests, in states such as Florida, Illinois, and Oklahoma.

However, at this time of the year, there are always new prospects emerging in maiden or allowance races, and we are introducing new names to both power ranking lists.

For all the horses on the Derby rankings, we’ll also take a quick look at their breeding.

So here we go. Feel free to disagree – and to back your views up when the Future Wager options arrive.

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.         Ted Noffey (1, no change)

By champion Into Mischief, whose progeny are mostly noted for speed, but also the sire of three Kentucky Derby winners, out of a mare by 2009 Arkansas Derby runner-up Old Fashioned.

2.         Brant (2, no change)

By Gun Runner, sire of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, out of a mare by Liam’s Map, whose dirt progeny are usually best up to 1 1/8 miles.

Brant training at Santa Anita, October 2025 (Photo by Horsephotos)

3.         Napoleon Solo (3, no change)

By Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Liam’s Map out of a mare by Scat Daddy, sire of Triple Crown winner Justify and several horses with 1 1/4-mile stamina in South America.

Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

4.         Intrepido (4, no change)

By third-crop sire Maximus Mischief, whose progeny to date have been best up to 1 1/16 miles, out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect.

Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

5.         Blackout Time (5, no change)

By Not This Time, sire of Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter, out of a mare by Elusive Quality, sire of Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones.

Blackout time wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

6.         Desert Gate (6, no change)

By leading third-season sire Omaha Beach, winner of the Arkansas Derby, out of a mare by stamina influence Curlin.

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

7.         Englishman (7, no change)

By first-season sire Maxfield, a Churchill Downs specialist who won up to 1 1/8 miles, out of a mare by Speightstown, often an influence for speed.

Englishman wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

8.         Plutarch (8, no change)

By Into Mischief out of multiple Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind, a mare by leading stamina progenitor Curlin.

Plutarch at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

9.         Further Ado (9, no change)

Further Ado wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

By the outstanding Gun Runner out of a mare by the versatile stallion Sky Mesa.

10.   It’s Our Time (10, no change)

By Not This Time out of a mare by Summer Front, best known as the sire of leading turf miler Simply in Front.

It's Our Time wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

11.   Talkin (11, no change)

By Good Magic, sire of Kentucky Derby winner Mage, out of a mare by dual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow, so should have plenty of stamina.

Talkin edges out Stradale at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

12.   Universe (12, no change)

By second-season sire Global Campaign, a son of Curlin, out of a mare by the outstanding sire Quality Road.

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

13.   Litmus Test (13, no change)

Litmus Test breaks maiden at Del Mar. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

By 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, out of a mare by Malibu Moon, the broodmare sire of champions Stellar Wind and Sierra Leone.

14.   Confessional (new entry)

Confessional wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

This week’s highest new-entry, courtesy of a three-length victory on debut at Keeneland in a maiden special weight on Oct. 16. By Belmont winner Essential Quality, out of a mare by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, there is plenty of scope for him to improve further.

15.   Buetane (14, -1)

Buetane wins maiden race at Del Mar. (Photo by horsephotos.com)

By second-crop sire Tiz the Law, winner of the Belmont, out of a mare by speed influence Forestry.

16.   Ewing (15, -1)

From the first crop of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Knicks Go out of a mare by Indian Charlie, the broodmare sire of Flightline and Hot Rod Charlie.

Ewing wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

17.   Boyd (16, -1)

Boyd works in preparation for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park. (Photo by horsephotos.com)

By Violence, sire of Belmont Stakes second-place finisher Forte, out of a mare by Street Boss, sire of Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia.

18.   Dr. Kapur (new entry)

Improved on his debut second-place finish over six furlongs at Saratoga to take a maiden at Keeneland comfortably, going away strongly in the finish. By McKinzie out of a Kitten’s Joy mare, so should stay further.

19.   Super Kick (17, -2)

By former champion sprinter Mitole out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again, a stamina influence at stud.

Super Kick wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

20.   Spice Runner (18, -2)

By the high-class sire Gun Runner out of a mare by Cowboy Cal.

Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Largest Gain: Confessional (new entry at number 14)

Largest Fall: Super Kick, Spice Runner (both down two places)

New to Derby Power Rankings this week: Confessional (14), Dr. Kapur (18).

Removed from Derby Power Rankings this week: Spun D M C (19th last week), Rancho Santa Fe (20th last week).

KENTUCKY OAKS POWER RANKINGS

1.         Tommy Jo (1 last week, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Tommy Jo

2.         Percy’s Bar (2, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Percy's Bar

3.         Bottle of Rouge (3, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bottle of Rouge

4.         Explora (4, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Explora

5.         Bella Ballerina (5, no change)

6.         Iron Orchard (6, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Iron Orchard

7.         Rileytole (7, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Rileytole

8.         La Wally (8, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: La Wally

9.         Super Corredora (9, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Super Corredora

10.   Mythical (new entry)

Bounced back to win the Florida Sire Susan’s Girl S. by a street Oct. 18. Most notably, she successfully managed seven furlongs after failing over the same trip when favorite in the Spinaway (G1). Still some stamina doubts, however.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mythical

11.   Taken by the Wind (10, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Taken by the Wind

12.   Kingsolver (11, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Kingsolver

13.   Camila Catalina (12, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Camila Catalina

14.   Essential Coffee (new entry)

Improved on Saratoga effort to win at good odds over seven furlongs at Keeneland. By Nyquist out of a Malibu Moon mare (the same cross as Derby contender Litmus Test), so should have stamina.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Essential Coffee

Largest Gain: Mythical (new entry at number 10)

Largest Fall: Taken by the Wind, Kingsolver, Camila Catalina (all down one place)

New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Mythical, Essential Coffee.

Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: On Time Girl (13th last week), The Grumpy Rabbit (14th last week).