Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Who will be the 2026 Champion?

May 13, 2026 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Renegade wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

The Kentucky Derby (G1) may be over, but the race for overall three-year-old honors is only just getting started.

So, for today’s post-Derby Power Rankings, we’re going to attempt to rank how voting might go for the Eclipse Award for three-year-old males at season’s end.

Theoretically, the award could go to a three-year-old that excels on turf or up to a mile. But if you cast a look down the list of previous winners, these horses have been completely ignored by voters for this award; it’s always gone to a sophomore that excels around the Derby trip of 1 1/4 miles.

This means the Power Rankings table, aimed at the Derby up to now, serves as a good guide towards a potential Eclipse Award winner.

What is less clear, especially in recent years, is how much weight the Derby will carry in determining the Eclipse Award. In the past 10 years, three Derby winners (Justify, Authentic, and Sovereignty) have won the Eclipse; a reasonable strike rate, but one matched by the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) (Arrogate, Authentic, and Sierra Leone), and far exceeded by the Travers (G1). Six winners of the midsummer feature at Saratoga have gone on to win the Eclipse Award: Arrogate, West Coast, Essential Quality, Epicenter, Arcangelo, and Sovereignty.

It hasn’t always been that way – in the prior 20 years (1996-2015), more Derby winners (11) took the Eclipse Award than did winners of any other major race that three-year-olds were eligible for – but in general, the Derby on its own isn’t enough to take end-of-year honors.

This rankings list will consider all three-year-olds that might have a chance of ending the year with an Eclipse Award. It means, therefore, that we will consider three-year-olds that missed the Derby through injury but which have a chance to return in time to contest the Breeders’ Cup Classic and therefore have a chance at the Eclipse, but not those that seem unlikely to be back in time for that, such as Paladin and Danon Bourbon, who would have been second on this list had he not suffered a knee chip in the Derby that ruled him out of 2026.

The Run for the Roses has played a major part in changing these rankings up from what they were before the Derby, but we’re assessing potential going forward more than anything. There’s also a chance that a horse none of us are considering at this point as a potential division leader may emerge, as Arrogate did in 2016.

As always, feel free to disagree with the Power Rankings and to back your own judgment when the big races arrive.

Three-Year-Old Male Power Rankings

1.         Renegade (2, +1)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 2nd.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 2nd.

Renegade tops this list because, along with ability, he looks to have the most tools at his disposal. So far, he’s always put in a great effort, and he’s able to put himself into contention regardless of the pace of the race; that happened in the Kentucky Derby despite the early trouble he struck. The rest of the season will tell us more, but his mix of class and aptitude should see him competitive in whatever targets he is set for the rest of 2026.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Renegade

Renegade wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

2.         Golden Tempo (11, +9)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 1st.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 1st.

Though winning the Derby is no guarantee of taking overall three-year-old honors, it does put you at the head of the class immediately afterward. His effort was an outstanding one, but there’s still a question of whether he’s too one-dimensional to win a big race where the pace scenario doesn’t work in his favor. The Belmont (G1) will provide more information about his Eclipse Award potential.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Golden Tempo

Golden Tempo wins the 152nd Kentucky Derby (Photo by Doug Beigie)

3.         Chief Wallabee (3, no change)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 4th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 3rd.

As mentioned above, not everything went his way in the Derby stretch; he was also closer to the speed than any other horse in the top seven, bar the much-closer Danon Bourbon. He still has a bit to learn, arguably, but he’s obviously going to be a factor in the major dirt races this year, provided he stays healthy – starting with the Belmont.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Chief Wallabee

Chief Wallabee wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

4.         Crude Velocity (new entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 4th.

Outside the Derby runners, clearly, the performance of the Churchill Downs Derby weekend among three-year-old dirt runners came when Crude Velocity maintained his unbeaten record in the Pat Day Mile (G2). If he’d gone on to the Preakness, as was mooted at one point, he would have been the morning-line favorite. An Eclipse Award for him wouldn’t be the first for a Bob Baffert trainee that didn’t run in the Derby – Arrogate and West Coast did it in consecutive years. His biggest query is whether he’ll stay 1 1/4 miles.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Crude Velocity

Crude Velocity wins the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

5.         Commandment (1, -4)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 7th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 5th.

Commandment’s Kentucky Derby performance was arguably better than it looked. As our correspondent J. Keeler Johnson showed, he covered more ground than any horse that finished ahead of him, though not enough to make up the margin Golden Tempo beat him by. He was also urged to make up ground much earlier than most of his opponents, and the extra time he was asked to turn on the speed may have counted against him in the stretch. I can see him returning as a major force in the rest of the season.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Commandment

Commandment (outside) nosed out The Puma to win the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

6.         The Puma (5, -1)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 9th.

Who knows how well The Puma might have run in the Derby had he not been forced out through injury? However, his efforts prior to the Derby suggest he’s a top-quality horse on the way up, and the efforts of horses he’s raced against this season in the big race – Renegade, Chief Wallabee, and Commandment, among others – didn’t do his reputation any harm. Don’t rule him out of taking a major prize.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Golden Tempo

The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)

7.         Ocelli (new entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 3rd.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 13th.

Has gone from not even being in the Power Rankings (the final pre-Derby rankings were made while he was still technically a non-runner) to being a potential Eclipse Award contender despite still being a maiden, which he’ll get a chance to end in the Preakness this weekend. And as was shown, his Derby third came despite running more than 2 1/4 lengths farther than Golden Tempo. If the Derby was a sign he’s now a genuine topliner, an exciting season awaits.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Ocelli

Ocelli trains for the Kentucky Derby 2026 (Photo by Horsephotos.com/Rickelle Nelson)

8.         Further Ado (4, -4)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 11th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 8th.

Appeared to have every chance in the Derby, so his 11th-place finish, nearly eight lengths from the winner, has to be regarded as disappointing. The only reason he’s still this high in the rankings is that this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is being held at Keeneland, where he has put up two outstanding performances many lengths better than he has on any other track. A win in that race would put him firmly in Eclipse Award contention.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Further Ado

Further Ado wins the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

9.         Incredibolt (9, -1)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 6th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 10th.

Put in a nice effort in the Derby after being given a patient ride by Jaime Torres, given the early speed. He also confirmed his poor Holy Bull (G3) effort was not his true running. He’s been given a last-minute entry into the Preakness, for which he looks one of the leading chances, and victory there would put him in the mix for an Eclipse Award.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Incredibolt

Incredibolt wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

10.   So Happy (7, -3)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 9th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 15th.

For a horse with supposed stamina doubts, he was arguably ridden a bit aggressively to be on the speed in the Derby, and he paid for it in the stretch. Ultimately, he had much the same run as Danon Bourbon and didn’t stick on as well as the Japanese runner, but he shouldn’t be ruled out in smaller fields with less front-end speed.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: So Happy

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

11.   Taj Mahal (new entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 18th.

This unbeaten colt hasn’t raced away from Laurel Park yet, but his Federico Tesio S. victory was astounding. It’s hard to know what he beat, but we’ll know much more once he’s contested this weekend’s Preakness back at Laurel Park. He’s an exciting prospect, and victory here would throw him into the leading three-year-old conversation.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal (Photo courtesy of The Maryland Jockey)

12.   Silent Tactic (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 11th.

His prospects of an Eclipse were further damaged when he wasn’t able to recover in time from the injury that ruled him out of the Kentucky Derby in time to contest the Preakness. He’ll need to put up strong efforts in races like the Belmont, Travers, and Breeders’ Cup Classic to move towards the head of the class.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Silent Tactic

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

13.   Emerging Market (6, -7)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: 9th.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 14th.

For a horse of his inexperience, he performed creditably in the Kentucky Derby, especially after racing close to the speed. He should be a better horse come summer and fall, and further improvement puts him in line to win any major contest he races in.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Emerging Market

Emerging Market wins at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)

14.   Iron Honor (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 19th.

The Wood Memorial (G2) probably wasn’t a fair reflection of Iron Honor’s ability – he got bumped early and wasn’t quite the same afterward. He created enough of an impression beforehand to be made morning-line favorite for the Preakness, though that was undoubtedly influenced by his trainer’s record of winning the Triple Crown second leg with horses that bypassed the Derby. If he lives up to that effort, he deserves to be mentioned among the best of his age again.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Iron Honor

Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos / Credit to Joe Labozzetta)

15.   Nearly (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: Unranked.

Was among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby until a below-par effort in the Florida Derby (G1), after which it was decided to give him some time off to recuperate at his owners’ farm. Trainer Todd Pletcher believes he didn’t reproduce his best in the Florida Derby and is hopeful to have him back for Saratoga in the summer. A return to his early-year form in a race like the Travers would put him back in the race.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Nearly

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

16.   Ted Noffey (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: Unranked.

Remember him? The long-time Power Rankings leader, thanks to his unbeaten juvenile campaign, didn’t get a chance to contest the Derby because of bone bruising suffered in January. He hasn’t returned to the worktab since then, but suggestions at the time were that he could return later this year. An Eclipse Award for three-year-old male is highly unlikely, but if he were able to get back in time to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and preferably something else along the way (maybe a Pennsylvania Derby (G1), for example), it isn’t out of the question.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Ted Noffey

Ted Noffey winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

17.   Fulleffort (14, -2)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: =20th.

It was a shame we didn’t get a chance to see how the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner would take to dirt in the Derby, as he had been training well. He’s got a fair bit to do to return to the conversation for the best of his age, but there’s still time for that to happen, and as has been mentioned before, his pedigree suggests he can excel on dirt.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Fulleffort

Fulleffort wins the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

18.   Chip Honcho (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: =20th.

One of the more enigmatic three-year-olds. His Risen Star (G2) effort behind Paladin – and way ahead of Golden Tempo – suggested he was among the best of his age. But he was then well below par in the Louisiana Derby (G2), prompting Steve Asmussen to point him to the Preakness. The fact that he’s rated a 5-1 chance for that race despite the presence of Ocelli, Incredibolt, and Taj Mahal shows there is still faith in his ability on his day. Will need to improve his consistency.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Chip Honcho

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

19.   Growth Equity (new entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 25th.

Continues to improve and did well to beat Talk to Me Jimmy in the Peter Pan last week. Whether he’s up to the best sophomores is another question, but he does have potential to improve further.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Growth Equity

Growth Equity wins the Peter Pan at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

20.   Englishman (re-entry)

Kentucky Derby finishing position: N/A.

NTRA Three-Year-Old Poll Ranking: 16th.

Has put in two very good efforts since returning to racing, but was clearly outpointed by Crude Velocity in the Pat Day Mile. It’s not out of the question that he could improve as distances increase, and if he does he’s a contender for the top sophomore races. But it’s equally possible he’ll be best at shorter distances.

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Englishman

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

Largest gain: Golden Tempo (up 9).

Largest fall: Emerging Market (down 7).

New to Derby Power Rankings: Crude Velocity (4th), Ocelli (7th), Taj Mahal (11th), Growth Equity (19th).

Returning to Derby Power Rankings: Silent Tactic (12th), Iron Honor (14th), Nearly (15th), Ted Noffey (16th), Chip Honcho (18th), Englishman (20th).

Removed from Derby Power Rankings: Potente (8th before Derby), Pavlovian (10th), Danon Bourbon (12th), Wonder Dean (13th), Albus (15th), Litmus Test (16th), Right to Party (17th), Intrepido (18th), Six Speed (19th), Great White (20th).