Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Del Mar Cancellations Muddy Picture [Nov. 18]

Nov 18, 2025 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Kentucky Derby Power Rankings for Nov. 18, 2025

Week 7: Weather has played a huge part in ensuring there is little change once again in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings.

The juvenile stakes calendar had a couple of potentially significant seven-furlong races scheduled at Del Mar: the Desi Arnaz S. for fillies, and the Bob Hope S. for all.

But heavy forecast rain meant not only was Saturday’s racing at Del Mar called off, but the Desi Arnaz was moved from Saturday to Sunday, and the Bob Hope was cancelled completely after both the originally-scheduled race and a rescheduled attempt for Friday drew insufficient entries.

Most of the juvenile action has therefore been in maidens, allowances, and state-bred stakes contests. There have been a few horses that have shown potential for better things to come this week, but few that were worthy of a top-20 Power Rankings place.

The most impressive stakes winner was probably Tessellate in the 6 1/2-furlong Gulfstream Juvenile Fillies Sprint. She won by 13 lengths, clearly relishing the return to a sprint trip after finishing third over a mile at her previous start. “We knew she didn’t want to go the mile, but it was hard to resist,” trainer Saffie Joseph said of her previous start – not a ringing endorsement of her Kentucky Oaks credentials at 1 1/8 miles.

What movement there has been in the rankings largely reflects the workouts as contenders prepare for three late-season Grade 2 races with Road to the Kentucky Derby points available: the Kentucky Jockey Club Nov. 29, the Remsen Dec. 6, and the Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 13.

The same applies for the fillies, several of which are preparing for three corresponding races for Oaks contenders: the Golden Rod Nov. 29, the Demoiselle Dec. 6, and the Starlet Dec. 6.

This week’s notes, therefore, also look at the workouts for the ranked horses that remain in work since the Breeders’ Cup.

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.         Ted Noffey (1, no change)

2.         Mr. A. P. (2, no change)

Mr. A. P. wins at Santa Anita 2025
(Photo by Benoit Photography)

3.         Brant (3, no change)

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

4.         Blackout Time (4, no change)

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

5.         Napoleon Solo (5, no change)

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

6.         Litmus Test (6, no change)

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

7.         Desert Gate (7, no change)

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

8.         Englishman (8, no change)

He was originally a possibility for the Kentucky Jockey Club, but he’s not in the nominations and hasn’t been on the worktab since mid-October. His reappearance will still be awaited with interest.

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

9.         Intrepido (9, no change)

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

10.   Further Ado (10, no change)

Continues to work, possibly with the Kentucky Jockey Club in mind—the third-fastest of 54 over five furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 15.

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

11.   It’s Our Time (13, +2)

Gets a boost due to a couple of bullet five-furlong workouts at Churchill Downs. May be headed for the Kentucky Jockey Club, where it would be interesting to see if he improves on his Champagne (G1) fourth-place finish.

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

12.   Incredibolt (11, -1)

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

13.   Talkin (12, -1)

Has worked once at Saratoga and twice at Belmont Park, all at four furlongs, since finishing second in the Champagne Oct. 4. Could be a possibility for the Remsen.

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

14.   Buetane (15, +1)

Another one boosted by a bullet workout, this time over five furlongs at Santa Anita. His form behind Ted Noffey hasn’t exactly worked out badly either. He might be seen in a California feature before the end of the year.

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

15.   Universe (14, -1)

Breezed once at Churchill Downs following his second in the Street Sense Oct. 26. Might be returning to Churchill for Kentucky Jockey Club day.

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

16.   Gallivant (16, no change)

The Bowman Mill winner Oct. 25 returned to work at Keeneland Nov. 13 with a bullet four furlongs, suggesting he’ll be seen on the track again this year.

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

17.   Confessional (17, no change)

This impressive Oct. 16 maiden winner returned to the worktab at Churchill Downs Nov. 2, breezing four furlongs in 49.40.

Confessional wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

18.   Soldier N Diplomat (18, no change)

Responsible for two breezes at Churchill Downs since an allowance win on the same track Oct. 26.

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

19.   Boyd (20, +1)

Has worked several times at Santa Anita since his easy maiden win Sept. 7, and threw in a bullet five furlongs Nov. 12.

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

20.   Project Ace (new entry)

Came from a long way back to win over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs. Should relish a longer trip but probably needs to find some more early speed to be a factor in Derby preps.

Project Ace wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Largest Gains: It’s Our Time (up 2)

Largest Fall: Incredibolt, Talkin  (down 1)

New to Derby Power Rankings this week: Project Ace (20)

Removed from Derby Power Rankings this week: Ewing (19th last week).

KENTUCKY OAKS POWER RANKINGS

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

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Super Corredora

2.         Explora (2, no change)

Returned to the worktab Nov. 13. A tilt at the Starlet (G2) could be on the cards.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Explora

3.         Percy’s Bar (3, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Percy's Bar

4.         Tommy Jo (4, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Tommy Jo

5.         Meaning (5, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Meaning

6.         Bella Ballerina (6, no change)

Has breezed four times in Kentucky since her debut victory on Oct. 5. A possibility for the Golden Rod.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bella Ballerina

7.         Bottle of Rouge (7, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Bottle of Rouge

8.         La Wally (8, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: La Wally

9.         Paige Turner (9, no change)

Breezing for the first time since her impressive Churchill Downs maiden victory Oct. 31, she went four furlongs in 47.8 Nov. 14. Nominated for the 6 1/2-furlong Fern Creek S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 29.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Paige Turner

10.   Mythical (10, +1)

Breezed twice since winning a Florida state-bred black type event Oct. 18. Has plenty of potential targets, both open and for state-breds. Has the best Brisnet speed rating among fillies on this list, though the form around her is a bit suspect.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mythical

11.   La Ville Lumiere (10, -1)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: La Ville Lumiere

12.   Letmecounttheways (12, no change)

A potential for the Golden Rod, she has breezed twice at Churchill Downs since winning the Maid of the Mist at Aqueduct on Oct. 10.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Letmecounttheways

13.   Life of Joy (13, no change)

This unbeaten Gun Runner filly has breezed twice at Churchill Downs since winning the Rags to Riches Oct. 26, most recently running five furlongs in 1:00.60. Nominated for the Golden Rod.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Life of Joy

14.   Revera (new entry)

Showed good heart to hold off Himika in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz S., reversing the placings from the six-furlong Anoakia Stakes Oct. 19. Clearly has talent, but more evidence is needed about her ability to stay 1 1/8 miles.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Revera

Largest Gains: Mythical (up one), Revera (new entry at number 14)

Largest Fall: La Ville Lumiere (down one)

New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Revera (14).

Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: Doc’s Miracle (14th last week).

Previous Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings

• • 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