Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Big news shakes up rankings [Dec. 23]

Dec 26, 2025 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Mr. A. P. is reportedly off the Derby trail (Photo by Benoit Photography)

There may have been three Kentucky Derby (G1) preps in the past week, but the biggest news on the Derby trail came from the training track.

Multiple media reports have said Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Mr. A. P. sustained an injury in training, likely sidelining him until at least the end of March.

This effectively means that Mr. A. P., who was second on the Power Rankings following his Breeders’ Cup effort, is all but certain to miss the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Vladimir Cerin said the injury, which he wouldn’t disclose, was minor and he should fully recover. If he is to run in a Triple Crown race, his best chance is probably the Belmont (G1),  but we may have to wait for a race like the Travers (G1) to see him take on the best again.

Losing a major Derby contender is unfortunate but not uncommon. This means that there will be a shake-up to the Power Rankings.

As far as the Road to the Kentucky Derby contests went, there was an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the Remington Springboard Mile by longshot Express Kid, and arguably less impressive wins in the Gun Runner S. by Chip Honcho and in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun by Pyromancer. You can read more about them in the Kentucky Derby Roundup.

There were also some nice maiden efforts, which you can read about in the Derby Maiden Watch on TwinSpires Edge.

The sole race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, the Untapable S. at Fair Grounds, was taken out by Hit Parade narrowly from Luv Your Neighbor, whose rider lost his iron in the final yards.

Feel free to disagree with the Power Rankings. Your next chance to bet on the Derby will be in the Pool 3 Future Wager in mid-January, while the sole Oaks future wager will be available in mid-March. Have a great holiday season!

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.      Ted Noffey (1 last week, no change).

2.      Brant (3, +1)

3.      Napoleon Solo (4, +1)

4.      Blackout Time (5, +1)

5.      Litmus Test (6, +1)

6.      Further Ado (7, +1)

7.      Incredibolt (8, +1)

8.      Boyd (9, +1)

9.      Paladin (10, +1)

10.    Desert Gate (11, +1)

11.    Englishman (12, +1)

12.    Universe (13, +1)

13.    Intrepido (14, +1)

14.    Satono Voyage (15, +1)

15.    Renegade (16, +1)

16.    Express Kid (new entry)

Little was expected from the California-bred in the Remington Springboard Mile after defeats in black type races at Prairie Meadows and Remington Park. It turned out his allowance victory on turf at his previous race after missing the start was a better guide to his ability, and he wired his opponents on Saturday in such a dominant manner that he earns a spot on this list.

17.    Blacksmith (17, no change)

18.    Soldier N Diplomat (18, no change)

19.    Golden Tempo (new entry)

Trainer Cherie DeVaux already has one impressive debut winner on this list: Englishman. This week, she adds a second with Golden Tempo, successful at Fair Grounds on Saturday. You could have written your own odds on Golden Tempo with three furlongs to go, so far had he been outpaced early in his six-furlong maiden. But he picked up the speed and rattled home his last quarter-mile, making up seven lengths to get up and score. Has the breeding to excel as the distances increase

20.    Chip Honcho (new entry)

Looked to have been seen off by Crown the Buckeye in the Gun Runner, but benefited from the latter running out of gas in the final sixteenth to earn victory over Liberty National and Crown the Buckeye. This follows a second-place finish on debut to Dr. Kapur and a good maiden victory at Churchill Downs. Promising, but still has a bit of ground to make up on other contenders.

Largest Gains: 14 horses all up one place.

Largest Fall: Mr. A. P. (removed from 2nd on list).

New to Derby Power Rankings this week: Express Kid (16), Golden Tempo (19), Chip Honcho (20).

Removed from Derby Power Rankings this week: Mr. A. P. (2nd last week), Buetane (19th last week), Cannoneer (20th last week).

KENTUCKY OAKS POWER RANKINGS

1.      Super Corredora (1 last week, no change)

2.      Explora (2, no change)

3.      Zany (3, no change)

4.      Bella Ballerina (4, no change)

5.      Percy’s Bar (5, no change)

6.      Tommy Jo (6, no change)

7.      Meaning (7, no change)

8.      Atropa (8, no change)

9.      Bottle of Rouge (9, no change)

10.    Consequent (10, no change)

11.     Just Singing (11, no change)

12.     Mythical (12, no change)

13.     Hit Parade (new entry)

Extended her unbeaten dirt record to three with a hard-fought victory over Luv Your Neighbor in the Untapable. She’s tended to grind out victories rather than outclass her opponents, but her consistency has earned her 10 Oaks Road points and a spot on this list.

14.    La Wally (13, -1)

Largest Gains: Hit Parade (new entry at 13).

Largest Fall: La Wally (down 1).

New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Hit Parade (13).

Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: Cashed (14th last week).

Previous Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings

Week 11 — Dec. 16, 2025
Week 10 — Dec. 9, 2025
Week 9 — Dec. 2, 2025
Week 8 — Nov. 24, 2025
Week 7 — Nov. 18, 2025
Week 6 — Nov. 10, 2025
Week 5 — Nov. 3, 2025
Week 4 — Oct. 27, 2025
Week 3 — Oct. 21, 2025
Week 2 — Oct. 14, 2025
Week 1 — Oct. 7, 2025