Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Thanksgiving Weekend Approaches [Nov. 24]

Nov 25, 2025 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

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

WEEK 8: It’s been another week of minimal action on the Power Rankings front. Stakes races for juveniles have been few and far between, and as a result, there isn’t too much happening in the rankings once again.

You can read more on the past week’s events on TwinSpires Edge in the Kentucky Derby Roundup and the Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

But that’s about to change. The second Stars of Tomorrow day at Churchill Downs is scheduled for next Saturday, Nov. 29; all of the 12 races on the card are for juveniles, nine of which are on dirt. Four of them are stakes races, including points-scoring contests on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

In addition, there are four stakes races for state-breds across Florida and Canada, while the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby begins with the Cattleya Sho at Tokyo.

The Churchill Downs races have been given extra spice with the cancellation of the Bob Hope S. and other juvenile races at Del Mar, as Bob Baffert has entered three juveniles in the stakes races. Two are currently on the Power Rankings lists – second-ranked filly Explora in the Golden Rod (G2) and 19th-ranked male Boyd in the 6 1/2-furlong Ed Brown S. – but just as interesting will be Cherokee Nation in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).

Cherokee Nation is still a maiden, but he was only beaten a nose at his last start, while finishing more than 12 lengths clear of the rest. His conqueror was the subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Mr. A. P.

Other horses currently on the Power Rankings lists that are entered to compete at Churchill Downs include Further Ado, Universe, and Soldier N Diplomat in the Kentucky Jockey Club; Bella Ballerina, Letmecounttheways, and Life of Joy in the Golden Rod; Gallivant in the Ed Brown; Paige Turner in the Fern Creek; and It’s Our Time in a one-mile allowance.

Several former Power Rankings horses are also entered at Churchill Downs, including Spice Runner, Dr. Kapur, Bust Out, On Time Girl, The Grumpy Rabbit, Go to Girl, Essential Coffee, and Just Singing.

There’s also a notable entry in Florida, where Power Rankings slot holder Mythical returns to racing. Though she faces fellow Florida Sire Stakes-registered fillies only in the 1 1/16-mile Florida Sire My Dear Girl S., it will provide some clue about her Oaks prospects, given it’s her first start past seven furlongs.

This week also sees Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, along with the sole pool for the Kentucky Derby Sire Wager, which we discussed two weeks ago. Our one new entry to the Power Rankings isn’t on the Future Wager list, while the sire of one Power Rankings horse is also not available as an individual option in the Sire Future Wager.

If you disagree with the Power Rankings, feel free to back your judgment there!

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.         Ted Noffey (1, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 6-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Into Mischief): 4-1

2.         Mr. A. P. (2, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (American Pharoah): 30-1

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

3.         Brant (3, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 10-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Gun Runner): 8-1

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

4.         Blackout Time (4, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Not This Time): 6-1

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

5.         Napoleon Solo (5, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Into Mischief): 25-1

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

6.        Litmus Test (6, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 99-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Nyquist): 40-1

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

7.         Desert Gate (7, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 60-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Omaha Beach): 60-1

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

8.         Englishman (8, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 40-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Maxfield): 40-1

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

9.         Intrepido (9, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 80-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Maximus Mischief): 40-1

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

10.   Further Ado (10, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Gun Runner): 8-1

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

11.   It’s Our Time (11, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 50-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Not This Time): 6-1

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

12.   Incredibolt (12, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 40-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Bolt D’Oro): 30-1

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

13.   Talkin (13, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 60-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Good Magic): 40-1

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

14.   Buetane (14, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 80-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Tiz the Law): 80-1

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

15.   Universe (15, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 99-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Global Campaign): 8-1 (All Other Sires)

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

16.   Gallivant (16, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 99-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Into Mischief): 4-1

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

17.   Confessional (17, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 60-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Essential Quality): 50-1

Confessional wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

18.   Soldier N Diplomat (18, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 99-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Army Mule): 99-1

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

19.   Boyd (19, no change)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 40-1
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Violence): 40-1

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

20.   Nearly (new entry)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Morning Line Odds: 9-5 (All other horses option)
Sire Future Wager Morning Line Odds (Not This Time): 6-1

Last of six on his debut at Aqueduct Oct. 26, Nearly had clearly appreciated the Florida weather and a month of training when he reappeared at Gulfstream Park, coming from off the pace to destroy a maiden field by 9 1/4 lengths. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he’s by Not This Time from a Mineshaft mare, so he should appreciate a longer trip.

Largest Gains: Nearly (new entry at number 20)
Largest Fall: Project Ace (removed from rankings)
New to Derby Power Rankings this week: Nearly (20)
Removed from Derby Power Rankings this week: Project Ace (20th last week).

KENTUCKY OAKS POWER RANKINGS

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

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Super Corredora

2.         Explora (2, no change)

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)

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)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Paige Turner

10.   Mythical (10, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mythical

11.   La Ville Lumiere (11, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: La Ville Lumiere

12.   Letmecounttheways (12, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Letmecounttheways

13.   Life of Joy (13, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Life of Joy

14.   Lyudmila (new entry)

You don’t often see $1 million yearling purchases make their debut at Laurel Park, but that’s what happened with Lyudmila, a filly by Gun Runner out of the Into Mischief mare Lucrezia. The Justin Nixon trainee won in some style, rallying from midfield to storm away in the stretch by six lengths over six furlongs. Has a lot to prove, but looks exciting.

Largest Gains: Lyudmila (new entry at number 14)
Largest Fall: Revera (removed from rankings)
New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Lyudmila (14)
Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: Revera (14th last week)

Previous Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings

• 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