Power Rankings [Nov. 10]: A Look at Potential Picks for the Sire Future Wager

Nov 11, 2025 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Ted Noffey wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar 2025 (Photo by Horsesphotos.com)

Kentucky Derby Power Rankings for Nov. 10, 2025

Week 6: Given that it’s been a light week for Derby contenders, this week’s Power Rankings will take an advanced look at one of the most exciting upcoming Derby Future Wager betting options.

With no graded stakes races on dirt for juveniles this weekend, there have been limited chances for horses to force their way onto the Power Rankings list. Juvenile races have been limited to maidens, a few allowances, and a few ungraded stakes – read more about the week’s best maiden juvenile winners here.

Though there were some useful performances in these races, no males did enough to force their way onto the list, and only one female to the Oaks Rankings.

Therefore, this week’s Power Rankings will analyze the ranked Derby horses in relation to one of the most exciting parts of pool 2 of the Future Wager at the end of this month: the Derby Sire Future Wager, the sole opportunity to have a bet on the sire of the Derby winner.

Since being introduced in 2016, the Sire Future Wager has been unpredictable. In four of the previous 10 years, the “all other sires” option has won. Two other years produced winners at less than 10-1 (Uncle Mo at 9-1 in 2016 and Into Mischief at 5-1 last year), while all the other individual winners ranged between 17-1 and 30-1.

With the number of sires available on the Future Wager increasing from 23 to 39 for the past three Derbies, the chances of “all other sires” would seem smaller. However, this option still came out on top in 2024 as Mystik Dan’s sire, Goldencents, wasn’t an individual option.

It’s worth noting that several sires that don’t have horses on the Power Rankings list should be prominent in the Sire Future Wager due to their previous records, such as Curlin, Justify, Tapit, and Quality Road, but for this column, we’ll have a look at the sires of the current Power Rankings horses.

KENTUCKY DERBY POWER RANKINGS

1.         Ted Noffey (1, no change) | Sire: Into Mischief

You’re unlikely to get rich from the Sire Future Wager if Ted Noffey wins the Kentucky Derby. His sire is Into Mischief, the leading sire for the past six years and about to add another title. Already the sire of three Derby winners, Ted Noffey is by no means his only 2026 Derby hopeful.

2.         Mr. A. P. (2, no change) | Sire: American Pharoah

The 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah faced an extremely tough task to produce a stud career matching his brilliance on the track. It says something that he’s serving the 2026 Northern Hemisphere breeding season in Japan rather than the United States, but any stallion that sires more than 60 stakes winners is clearly a good one. He has sired two Derby winners – in Australia. Maybe Mr. A. P. can add one in the U.S.

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

3.         Brant (3, no change) | Sire: Gun Runner

Gun Runner, third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2017, has become one of the elite sires in the United States. His number of stakes winners is approaching 50, despite having just five crops to the races. Like Into Mischief, he has numerous Derby hopefuls.

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

4.         Blackout Time (4, no change) | Sire: Not This Time

Three stallions command $250,000 fees in the United States: Into Mischief, Gun Runner, and Not This Time. The latter earned his spot with a series of consistently high-producing seasons, including 2025, where he’s likely to finish second on the sires’ premiership. Went close to winning the Derby with Epicenter in 2022, so a victory for one of his progeny would not be a surprise.

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

5.         Napoleon Solo (5, no change) | Sire: Liam’s Map

The 2015 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner has been a good sire for Lane’s End, producing 30 stakes winners, including seven Grade 1 winners. The only doubt about him as a Derby sire is that few of his progeny have won at 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Perhaps Napoleon Solo could be the one to change that.

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

6.         Litmus Test (6, no change) | Sire: Nyquist

Undefeated when he won the 2016 Kentucky Derby, Nyquist has had a distinguished career as a sire. He’s already sired more than 10 Grade 1 winners, so joining the elite roster of Kentucky Derby winners to sire a Kentucky Derby winner themselves is quite possible.

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

7.         Desert Gate (7, no change) | Sire: Omaha Beach

From the third crop of Omaha Beach, who was the morning-line favorite for the 2019 Kentucky Derby before injury prevented him from competing. The son of War Front has made a good start as a stallion, siring more than 20 stakes winners. Desert Gate is his leading Derby contender for 2026.

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

8.         Englishman (8, no change) | Sire: Maxfield

From the first crop of Maxfield, who has been one of the best first-season sires of 2025 with 17 winners to date. Maxfield was a dual Grade 1 winner up to 1 1/8 miles and absolutely loved Churchill Downs. His chances of siring a Kentucky Derby winner will increase if he’s passed that on.

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

9.         Intrepido (9, no change) | Sire: Maximus Mischief

The 2018 Remsen S. (G2) winner Maximus Mischief has made an under-the-radar good start to his career as a stallion. He’s had 10 stakes winners to date, with two Grade 1 winners, the other being Met Mile (G1) winner Raging Torrent. There is some doubt as to his ability to sire a 1 1/4-mile winner.

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

10.   Further Ado (10, no change) | Sire: Gun Runner

Impressive maiden winner Further Ado is a great second Derby prospect for owners Spendthrift Farm alongside Ted Noffey, but unlike Ted Noffey, he’s by a non-Spendthrift sire in Gun Runner. As mentioned above, Gun Runner is likely to have multiple Kentucky Derby prospects racing for him as early three-year-olds.

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

11.   Incredibolt (11, no change) | Sire: Bolt D’Oro

A Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1)  winner, Bolt D’Oro has made a useful beginning to his stallion career, with 21 stakes winners to date. Incredibolt is his main Derby contender at present; given he won the Street Sense, it’s likely Bolt d’Oro will be a betting option in the Sire Future Wager.

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

12.   Talkin (12, no change) | Sire: Good Magic

The 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner has made a solid start as a sire and is a proven Classic producer, having sired the full brothers Mage and Dornoch to win Triple Crown races. Could well be at reasonable odds in the Sire Future Wager.

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

13.   It’s Our Time (13, no change) | Sire: Not This Time

Not This Time currently heads the North American Sires of Two-Year-Olds list, no mean feat given that he didn’t sire the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner. He’s got there with seven black type winners, including Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) winner Cy Fair. Should be among the shorter-priced offerings among individual sires.

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

14.   Universe (14, no change) | Sire: Global Campaign

Third in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic after winning the Woodward (G2), Global Campaign has just two crops of racing age. He’s done well from limited opportunities to date. If he is an individual option in the Sire Wager, he’ll probably be at good odds.

Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

15.   Buetane (15, no change) | Sire: Tiz the Law

Tiz the Law was proven at 1 1/4 miles, winning the Travers (G1) and running second in the Kentucky Derby, so his progeny should have every chance of having the Derby stamina, especially if their maternal line is stout.

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

16.   Gallivant (16, no change) | Sire: Into Mischief

One of several juveniles that will ensure Into Mischief is the individual favorite for the Sire Future Wager. One thing that’s likely: if you take Into Mischief in the Future Wager, there’s a strong chance you’ll have at least one horse running for you in the Derby.

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

17.   Confessional (17, no change) | Sire: Essential Quality

Essential Quality was third as the favorite for the 2021 Kentucky Derby, and a few weeks later, won the Belmont (G1). Confessional is one of his first crops. He’s had three stakes winners to date from his first crop, though none at the graded level just yet. His progeny will probably have stamina. His reputation may be enough to earn him an individual option in the Sire Future Wager, but he should be at reasonable odds.

Confessional wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

18.   Soldier N Diplomat (18, no change) | Sire: Army Mule

Army Mule was undefeated in his only three starts, one of them being the 7-furlong Carter Handicap (G1). He’s done well at stud from limited opportunities, but to date, most of his progeny have been best up to a mile. It’s not certain he will be an individual option in the Future Wager.

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

19.   Ewing (19, no change) | Sire: Knicks Go

Ewing is from the first crop of 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Knicks Go, who next year will stand in South Korea after three seasons in the United States. He’s fourth on the list of first-season sires, with 19 winners to date. It remains to be seen how much stamina he will end up imparting to his progeny.

Ewing wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Chelsea Durand)

20.   Boyd (20, no change) | Sire: Violence

Violence is generally thought of as a speed influence at stud. But he has produced several horses capable at 1 1/4 miles and beyond, including the 2023 Belmont runner-up Forte. Boyd looks to be his best Derby prospect at present, but Violence could be a value offering in the Sire Future Wager.

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

No changes to the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings this 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.   La Ville Lumiere (10, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: La Ville Lumiere

11.   Mythical (11, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mythical

12.   Letmecounttheways (12, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Letmecounttheways

13.   Life of Joy (13, no change)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Life of Joy

14.   Doc’s Miracle (new entry)

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Doc's Miracle

The only new entry on this list, she put up a nice performance to win the Smart Halo S. at Laurel Park. Her sire Long River won up to 1 1/4 miles in Dubai, so she could have the necessary stamina for an Oaks.

• Largest Gains: Doc’s Miracle (new entry at number 14)
• Largest Fall: Iron Orchard (removed from list)
• New to Oaks Power Rankings this week: Doc’s Miracle.
• Removed from Oaks Power Rankings this week: Iron Orchard (14th last week).

Previous Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings

• 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