Feeling the Derby Power: Kentucky Derby Power Rankings 2025 [Oct. 27]

Oct 28, 2025 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

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

POWER RANKINGS: BIG DAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

Week 4: If you’d been watching juvenile racing this weekend last year, you would have seen the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Not surprisingly, then, juvenile racing this past weekend for 2025 was essential viewing. The highlight was the first Stars of Tomorrow card at Churchill Downs on Sunday, where all 11 races were for juveniles – eight of which were on dirt, including two stakes races with points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

There were also significant races at Keeneland and Belmont Park, along with a host of other juvenile contests around North America.

So, even though the most proven Derby contenders to this point will be racing at the Breeders’ Cup on Friday, the events this past weekend have had an impact on the Power Rankings.

⚡ Incredibolt goes from last to first in the G3 Street Sense and earns 10 Kentucky Derby points! @jaimetorresjcky was aboard for trainer @riley_mott.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/w8OfRtZnmz

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 26, 2025

The upcoming week is a big one as well – not only is the Breeders’ Cup on, it also features the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager, where you get your chance to agree or disagree with the Power Rankings with a bet rather than just an opinion. Morning Line odds have been released, and wagering opens on Wednesday, two days before the Breeders’ Cup juvenile contests.

Along with the rankings, we’ll have a look at what’s happening with the horses on the Derby list at the moment, where the information is out there – and include the Future Wager Morning Line odds, including one Power Rankings horse that isn’t a Future Wager option.

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). Future Wager Morning Line: 10-1

Likely to start as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Friday. The dual Grade 1 winner has made two four-furlong breezes at Saratoga since winning the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 4.

2.         Brant (2, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 15-1

Has been working nicely since winning the Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 7. His most recent breezes have all been at six furlongs at Santa Anita. Brant’s trainer, Bob Baffert, has won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile a record six times, and he has home advantage in California.

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

3.         Napoleon Solo (3, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 30-1

A great winner of the Champagne (G1), his trainer Chad Summers decided to bypass the Breeders’ Cup and give the Liam’s Map colt a break. He is expected to head to Palm Meadows training center in Florida for the winter.

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

4.         Intrepido (4, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 50-1

Supplemented for $100,000 for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after winning the American Pharoah (G1) Oct. 4. Has worked over four furlongs and five furlongs at Santa Anita since that victory. An intriguing prospect for the Juvenile.

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

5.         Englishman (7, +2). Future Wager Morning Line: 20-1

Gets a boost up this list because the horse he beat by more than seven lengths on his Sept. 19 debut, White Tiger, franked the form by winning a good-quality maiden on Stars of Tomorrow day at Churchill Downs. Has been working at Keeneland since his maiden victory and could head for the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in late November.

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

6.         Blackout Time (5, -1). Future Wager Morning Line: 20-1

Second to Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Futurity Oct. 4, he is likely to take that colt on again in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Has breezed twice at Churchill Downs since that race, over five furlongs Oct. 18 and four furlongs Oct. 24.

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

7.         Desert Gate (6, -1). Future Wager Morning Line: 75-1

Was set to contest the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile following his seconds in the Del Mar Futurity and American Pharoah, but was pulled out after a hock infection. Likely to rejoin the Derby trail at some stage.

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

8.         Plutarch (8, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 90-1

Third in the American Pharoah to Intrepido and Desert Gate, he’s being held back from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He is still present on the workout tab, and was the equal-fastest juvenile breezing over four furlongs at Santa Anita Oct. 26.

Plutarch at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

9.         Further Ado (9, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 15-1

Returned to the worktab with four furlongs at Churchill Downs Oct. 25, his first work since his astonishing 20-length Keeneland maiden victory Oct. 10. Looks on target for the Kentucky Jockey Club in late November.

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

10.   Incredibolt (new entry). Future Wager Morning Line: 40-1

Followed his maiden victory Sept. 28 with a stylish victory in the Oct. 26 Street Sense (G3), a race won last year by subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty. Like Sovereignty, Incredibolt came from last to win the Street Sense, comfortably downing Grade 1 placegetter Universe.

Incredibolt wins the Street Sense at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

11.   Talkin (11, no change). Future Wager Morning Line: 80-1

Has kept relatively quiet since his second-place finish to Napoleon Solo in the Champagne, but did breeze over four furlongs at Saratoga Oct. 24. His maiden win Aug. 30 is looking better after the two he beat that day, Stradale and Further Ado, both scored convincing wins at their next starts – Stradale’s win coming at Churchill Downs Oct. 26.

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

12.   It’s Our Time (10, -2). Future Wager Morning Line: 80-1

Fourth in the Champagne Oct. 4 after a futile pursuit of Napoleon Solo, It’s Our Time has resumed work at Churchill Downs, breezing four furlongs in 48.40 Oct. 25. Likely to run at Churchill Downs in November.

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

13.   Universe (12, -1). Future Wager Morning Line: 80-1

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Looked to have every chance in the Street Sense after sitting outside the leader on an average pace, but was convincingly run down by Incredibolt. It was still a decent run, and his pedigree suggests he can stay further.

14.   Gallivant (new entry). Future Wager Morning Line: 60-1

Gallivant wins the Bowman Mill at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

Followed a third on debut with a strong rally to dash past Spun D M C to win the six-furlong Bowman Mill S. at Keeneland Oct. 25. By champion sire Into Mischief, the sire of three Derby winners, but his damsire Munnings is best-known as a speed influence, so he will need to prove his stamina.

15.   Litmus Test (13, -2). Future Wager Morning Line: 80-1

A distant third to Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Futurity, he is being given his chance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Breezed a solid five furlongs in 1:00.20 at Santa Anita Oct. 25, his second work since returning from Keeneland.

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

16.   Confessional (14, -2). Future Wager Morning Line: 40-1

Confessional wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Has unsurprisingly been kept fairly quiet since his maiden victory at Keeneland Oct. 16. He created enough of an impression to be rated a 40-1 chance on Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, with only seven horses rated ahead of him.

17.   Soldier N Diplomat (new entry). Future Wager Morning Line: 75-1

Soldier N Diplomat wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Fourth in the Hopeful (G1) after leading, he returned to the stalking trip that led to his maiden victory when contesting a one-mile allowance at Churchill Downs Oct. 26 and responded with a devastating nine-length victory.

18.   Buetane (15, -3). Future Wager Morning Line: 4-5 (All other Colts and Geldings Odds)

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

The only horse on this list that doesn’t have a betting option in his own name in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 – so if you fancy him for the Derby, you’ll have to take the “all other colts and geldings” option. The Hopeful runner-up didn’t appear on the worktab for a month before Oct. 27, when he breezed four furlongs in 48:00.

19.   Ewing (16, -3). Future Wager Morning Line: 30-1

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

Winner of both his starts at Saratoga in the summer, including the Saratoga Special (G3), he missed the Breeders’ Futurity after trainer Mark Casse wasn’t happy with how he pulled up from a work. Is headed to Ocala and unlikely to race again until next year.

20.   Boyd (17, -3). Future Wager Morning Line: 50-1

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

Wasn’t seen on the worktab for more than a month after his devastating Del Mar maiden victory Sept. 7, but has now worked three times at Santa Anita since Oct. 12. His Derby stamina potential may be questionable. His next start will be watched with interest.

Largest Gains: Englishman (+2), Incredibolt (new entry at number 10).

Largest Fall: Buetane, Ewing, Boyd (all down 3).

New to Derby Power Rankings this week: Incredibolt (10), Gallivant (14), Soldier N Diplomat (17).

Removed from Derby Power Rankings this week: Dr. Kapur (18th last week), Super Kick (19th last week), Spice Runner (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)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bella Ballerina

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 (10, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mythical

11.   Letmecounttheways (new entry)

Destroyed a field of New York-bred juvenile fillies in the Maid of the Mist Stakes at Belmont Oct. 25. This followed an easy maiden victory Sept. 27. Yet to race fillies bred outside her state, but the efforts of her and Iron Orchard suggest it’s a good year for Empire State-bred fillies.

12.   Taken by the Wind (11, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Taken by the Wind

13.   Life of Joy (new entry)

Started favorite in the Rags to Riches after a huge Indianapolis maiden victory. Had to work harder than expected to win, but she was battling Alcibiades (G1) third, The Grumpy Rabbit, so it was good company. Last year’s Rags to Riches winner, Good Cheer, went on to win the Kentucky Oaks.

14.   Just Singing (new entry)

Improved on her debut fourth with a sweeping last-to-first maiden victory over 1 1/16 miles on Stars of Tomorrow day. A $300,000 yearling purchase by Triple Crown winner Justify, she looks to be an interesting prospect.

Largest Gain: Letmecounttheways (new entry at number 11)

Largest Fall: Taken by the Wind (down 1 place)

New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Letmecounttheways, Life of Joy, Just Singing.

Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: Kingsolver (12th last week), Camila Catalina (13th last week), and Essential Coffee (14th last week).