Kentucky Derby and Oaks Power Ranking: Calm before the storm

Feb 25, 2026 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Nearly wins the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglainese Photo)

Week 21: This week’s prep races figured to have limited impact on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks Power Rankings. In the end, it arguably had even less relevance than may have been imagined.

Possibly the one Derby contender that looked to be worth watching was Salloom in the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Stakes. But the only view we got of him was of agitation in the starting gate, followed by bursting through them before the start, putting him out of the contest.

There is still a possibility he could be back for the UAE Derby (G2), but if he couldn’t handle a bit of disturbance from neighboring gates on Friday, it doesn’t augur well for dealing with the huge crowd on Kentucky Derby day should he win the UAE Derby.

In the end, none of the Derby prep winners – Brotherly Love (Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby), Great White (John Battaglia Memorial), and Lucky Kid (Hyacinth) were impressive enough to earn spots in the Power Rankings. They will get their chance to show they are Derby-worthy at their next starts.

The only new entry to the Derby rankings didn’t run in a prep race, but does fully deserve his place and will be an interesting addition to the Derby trail later this spring.

Among the fillies, I’ve also left out Cincinnati Trophy S. winner Resplendence, though the other prep race winner has been included.

The picture is set to change, however, after next week’s preps. The two European preps (the Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton and the Patton in Ireland) are unlikely to move the needle much, but the others almost certainly will.

The Derby preps (the Fountain of Youth (G2), Gotham (G3), and Rebel (G2) for the Derby, and Oaks preps (the Busher S., Davona Dale (G2), and Honeybee (G3) are likely to include several past and present Power Rankings alumni. At this stage, the Derby preps don’t include the four top horses on the rankings, but several others are set to push their claims.

Feel free to disagree with the Power Rankings, and to back your own judgment in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, March 13-15, which also includes the only Oaks Future Wager.

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.         Nearly (1, no change)

Earlier thoughts that he might contest the Fountain of Youth have been put to one side, so he’s most likely to run next in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Nearly

2.         Paladin (2, no change)

His Risen Star (G2) victory almost certainly means he has enough points that a Kentucky Derby start is assured. Most likely to race next in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 4.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Paladin

Paladin wins the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)

3.         Renegade (3, no change)

A leading contender following his Sam F. Davis S. victory, Renegade looks set to attempt to secure his Derby spot in the Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 28.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Renegade

Renegade wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photo)

4.         Brant (4, no change)

Remains in work at Santa Anita, but it’s still unclear when he might resume. If he’s going to be a Derby contender, his most likely return is the San Felipe (G2) on March 7.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Brant

Juvenile contender Brant is a son and grandson of Breeders' Cup winners (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

5.         Napoleon Solo (5, no change)

Makes his long-awaited return to racing this weekend in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. The form out of his Champagne (G1) victory has looked a little suspect, but he can’t be underestimated.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Napoleon Solo 

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

6.         Litmus Test (6, no change)

Bob Baffert has been patient with Litmus Test, deciding to miss the Southwest (G3) after it was rescheduled, but he has been entered for the Rebel on Sunday and looks set to make a good account of himself.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Litmus Test

Litmus Test gave trainer Bob Baffert his 15th Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) victory (Photo by Benoit Photo)

7.         Further Ado (7, no change)

Continues to train at Payson Park in Florida. Still on target for the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Further Ado

Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

8.         Silent Tactic (8, no change)

Will have a chance to prove he’s a solid Derby contender when he takes on Blackout Time, Litmus Test, and a host of other decent three-year-olds in the Rebel on Sunday.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Silent Tactic

Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

9.         Chip Honcho (9, no change)

After pushing Paladin hard in the Risen Star, he’ll most likely appear next in the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 21.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Chip Honcho

Chip Honcho wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

10.   Blackout Time (10, no change)

Like Napoleon Solo, it’s been a long time since Blackout Time faced the starter. But he gets his chance this weekend in the Rebel at Oaklawn Park, for which he has been made the morning-line favorite after drawing post 4.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Blackout Time

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

11.   Talk to Me Jimmy (11, no change)

Hasn’t paid up for the Gotham this weekend, so most likely to race next in the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 4.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Talk to Me Jimmy

Talk to Me Jimmy wins the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

12.   Plutarch (12, no change)

Expect to see him next in either the San Felipe on March 7 or the Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Plutarch

Plutarch wins the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

13.   Intrepido (13, no change)

Remains in work at Santa Anita. Trainer Jeff Mullins hasn’t decided whether to target the San Felipe or the Santa Anita Derby next.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Intrepido

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

14.   Golden Tempo (14, no change)

Has stuck to the Fair Grounds circuit for his preps and is likely to stay in New Orleans for the Louisiana Derby.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Golden Tempo

Golden Tempo wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

15.   So Happy (15, no change)

Reportedly on target for the San Felipe on March 7.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: So Happy

So Happy wins the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

16.   Commandment (16, no change)

Gets his first chance at a Derby prep in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park this weekend.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Commandment

Commandment wins the Mucho Macho Man Stakes. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

17.   Reagan’s Honor (new entry)

Put away an allowance field of older horses in some style over 1 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds Feb. 17. It was his second top effort at Fair Grounds this year and suggests he’s a potential Derby contender. Looks likely to run next in the Blue Grass on April 4.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Regan's Honor

18.   Al Haram (17, -1)

The unbeaten Irish-bred, Saudi-trained three-year-old will attempt to retain that record against an international field in the UAE Derby on March 28.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Al Haram

Al Haram rallies to win the Saudi Derby (Photo by Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Ali AlZenaidi)

19.   Bravaro (18, -1)

Returns to the Derby trail in the Fountain of Youth. The Holy Bull runner-up doesn’t have that race’s victor Nearly to worry about this time, so don’t underestimate his chances of winning.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bravaro

Bravaro wins at Bemont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

20.   Boyd (19, -1)

Still working well at Santa Anita. Still unclear if he’s on the Derby trail – though at closing odds of 34-1 in the Pool 4 Future Wager, he’s still got plenty of friends among players.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Boyd

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

Largest gain: Reagan’s Honor (new entry at 17).

Largest fall: Al Haram, Bravaro, Boyd (all down 1).

New to Derby Power Rankings: Reagan’s Honor (17).

Removed from Derby Power Rankings: Start the Ride (20th last week).

KENTUCKY OAKS POWER RANKINGS

1.         Zany (1, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Zany

2.         Meaning (2, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Meaning

3.         Explora (3, NC)

Set to travel outside California for the first time for the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn Park on March 1.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Explora

4.         Bella Ballerina (4, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bella Ballerina

5.         Super Corredora (5, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Super Corredora

6.         Dazzling Dame (6, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Dazzling Dame

7.         Bottle of Rouge (7, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bottle of Rouge

8.         Taken by the Wind (8, -1)

Puts her unbeaten record on the line against Explora in the Honeybee.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Taken by the Wind

9.         Luv Your Neighbor (9, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Luv Your Neighbor

10.   On Time Girl (8, no change)

Gets her chance to prove she can stay further than seven furlongs when she contests the one-mile Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park this weekend.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: On Time Girl

11.   Life of Joy (11, NC)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Life of Joy

12.   Labwah (new entry)

Couldn’t have been much more impressive in the UAE Oaks (G3) on Friday. The quality of the field is hard to judge, but in a division where few have stood out, she deserves a spot in the rankings.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Labwah

13.   Atropa (12, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Atropa

14.   Galinda (13, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Galinda

Largest gain: Labwah (new entry at 12).

Largest fall: Atropa, Galinda (all down 1).

New to Oaks Power Rankings: Labwah (12).

Removed from Oaks Power Rankings: Search Party (14th last week).