Road to the Kentucky Derby Contenders
To earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, horses will need to earn points in the designated Road to the Derby races.
2025–2026 Horse Leaderboard
- American
- European - Middle East
- Japan
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RANKHORSEOWNERTRAINERJOCKEYTOTAL POINTS
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OWNER Centennial Farms
TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher
JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.
BREEDER Wind Hill Farm
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $170,950
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OWNER Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
TRAINER Cherie DeVaux
JOCKEY Ortiz, Jose L.
BREEDER Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $150,000
-
1
Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables
Bhupat Seemar
Barzalona, Mickael
20
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OWNER Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables
TRAINER Bhupat Seemar
JOCKEY Barzalona, Mickael
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $115,692
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-
3
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, B
Bob Baffert
Hernandez, Juan J.
19
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OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, B
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.
BREEDER Machmer Hall
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $302,188
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OWNER Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC
TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen
JOCKEY Lopez, Paco
BREEDER Venneri Racing Inc. & Tony Fanticola
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $70,000
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5
Dutch Girl Holdings LLC or Irving Ventures LLC
Jeff Mullins
Berrios, Hector Isaac
13
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OWNER Dutch Girl Holdings LLC or Irving Ventures LLC
TRAINER Jeff Mullins
JOCKEY Berrios, Hector Isaac
BREEDER Sierra Fria Farm LLC
SEX Ridgling
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $240,000
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6
4 G Racing, LLC, Day, Gregg, Crain, Steven and Magdalena Racing
Kenneth G. McPeek
Rosario, Joel
13
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OWNER 4 G Racing, LLC, Day, Gregg, Crain, Steven and Magdalena Racing
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Rosario, Joel
BREEDER Becky Pietras
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $178,400
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OWNER Mme J. Magnier/M.Tabor/D.Smit
TRAINER A P O'BRIEN
JOCKEY Soumillon, C
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $647,586
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OWNER Gold Square LLC
TRAINER Chad Summers
JOCKEY Rosario, Joel
BREEDER John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $275,000
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OWNER Spendthrift Farm, LLC
TRAINER Brad H. Cox
JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad
BREEDER John C. Oxley
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $242,470
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OWNER Kleven, Bradley James and Kleven, Sharon
TRAINER Justin R. Evans
JOCKEY Alvarez, Jose L.
BREEDER Richard Barton Enterprises
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $199,900
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OWNER LaPenta, Robert V. and Madaket Stables LLC
TRAINER Brad H. Cox
JOCKEY Rodriguez, Jaime
BREEDER Cove Springs, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $165,000
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OWNER John C. Oxley
TRAINER Mark E. Casse
JOCKEY Castellano, Javier
BREEDER John Oxley Living Trust
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $154,500
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12
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine LLC
Chad C. Brown
Prat, Flavien
10
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OWNER Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine LLC
TRAINER Chad C. Brown
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER Summer Wind Equine LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $137,500
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OWNER Pin Oak Stud LLC
TRAINER Riley Mott
JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.
BREEDER Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $124,570
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OWNER LBD Stable LLC
TRAINER Cherie DeVaux
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER LBD Stable, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $50,000
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15
Ciuffetelli, Albert, Brennan, Stephanie S., Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables and Braverman, Paul
Gaffalione, Tyler
10
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Ciuffetelli, Albert, Brennan, Stephanie S., Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables and Braverman, Paul
JOCKEY Gaffalione, Tyler
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $49,500
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OWNER Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER PTK, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $360,000
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17
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined
Brittany T. Russell
Franco, Manuel
9
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OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined
TRAINER Brittany T. Russell
JOCKEY Franco, Manuel
BREEDER Albaugh Family Stables LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $132,000
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OWNER Guoxin Taixiu
TRAINER Junji Tanaka
BREEDER Kitajima Bokujo
EARNINGS $242,388
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OWNER Dream Big Racing, LLC
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Hernandez, Colby J.
BREEDER Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $42,525
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OWNER Thrash, Ike and Thrash, Dawn
TRAINER Brendan P. Walsh
JOCKEY Concepcion, Axel
BREEDER Stonehaven Steadings
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $25,000
-
OWNER Albaugh Family Stables, LLC
JOCKEY Lanerie, Corey J.
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $24,750
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OWNER Joseph W. Sutton
TRAINER Eddie Kenneally
JOCKEY Gaffalione, Tyler
BREEDER Edwin Anthony
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $264,050
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OWNER Pegram, Watson or Weitman
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.
BREEDER Twin Oaks Bloodstock
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $210,000
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23
Brookdale Racing, Inc., Gasaway, Lance and Magdalena Racing
Kenneth G. McPeek
Ortiz Jr., Irad
5
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OWNER Brookdale Racing, Inc., Gasaway, Lance and Magdalena Racing
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad
BREEDER Newstead Corp
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $128,375
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24
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable
Danny Gargan
Carmouche, Kendrick
5
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OWNER Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable
TRAINER Danny Gargan
JOCKEY Carmouche, Kendrick
BREEDER Fifth Avenue Bloodstock
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $101,250
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OWNER John C. Oxley
TRAINER Mark E. Casse
JOCKEY Torres, Cristian A.
BREEDER Don Alberto Corporation
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $67,630
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26
Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, Staudacher, David, Zilla Racing Stables
Michael J. Maker
Santana Jr., Ricardo
5
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, Staudacher, David, Zilla Racing Stables
TRAINER Michael J. Maker
JOCKEY Santana Jr., Ricardo
BREEDER Rockridge Stud, LLC & Saratoga GlenFarm & Beal's Racing Stable, LL
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $60,000
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27
Low, Robert, Low, Lawana L. and Repole Stable
Todd A. Pletcher
Ortiz Jr., Irad
5
BET NOW Learn More OWNER Low, Robert, Low, Lawana L. and Repole Stable
TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher
JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad
BREEDER Robert Low & Lawana Low
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $50,000
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OWNER Wathnan Racing
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi
BREEDER Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. &St. Elias Stables, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $40,000
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29
Brookdale Racing Inc. & Fern Circle Stables
Kenneth G. McPeek
Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
5
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OWNER Brookdale Racing Inc. & Fern Circle Stables
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
BREEDER Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $20,000
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OWNER St. Elias Stable and Stonestreet Stables LLC
JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $12,375
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OWNER West Paces Racing LLC and Donegal Racing
TRAINER Brad H. Cox
JOCKEY Pedroza Jr., Marcelino
BREEDER Robert Low & Lawana Low
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $11,000
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OWNER Suited & Booted - My Future Champions Racing
TRAINER Bhupat Seemar
JOCKEY O'shea, Tadhg
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $9,641
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OWNER Baytown Partnerships (Cheryl McEntee)
TRAINER Paul McEntee
JOCKEY Bocachica, Orlando
BREEDER Brookstone Farm, Lee Mauberret, & James Blazek
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $131,410
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OWNER Magnier, Smith or Tabor
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Geroux, Florent
BREEDER Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $80,000
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OWNER St. Elias Stable (Vincent & Teresa Viola)
TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen
JOCKEY Ortiz, Jose L.
BREEDER Machmer Hall
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $57,350
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OWNER St. Elias Stable
TRAINER George Weaver
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER St. Elias Stables, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Gray or Roan
EARNINGS $18,000
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OWNER Koichi Nishikawa
TRAINER Noriyuki Hori
BREEDER Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
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OWNER Great Friends Stables and Davis, Mark D.
TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill
JOCKEY Dettori, Lanfranco
BREEDER St. Simon Place LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $54,000
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OWNER Purple Rein Racing and Davis, Mark D.
TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill
JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi
BREEDER Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon
SEX Ridgling
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $36,000
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38
Whisper Hill Farm, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC and Windancer Farm
Todd A. Pletcher
Velazquez, John R.
2
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OWNER Whisper Hill Farm, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC and Windancer Farm
TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher
JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.
BREEDER Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $15,000
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39
Dream Big Racing LLC (John P Wade) and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek)
Kenneth G. McPeek
Esquivel, Emmanuel
2
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OWNER Dream Big Racing LLC (John P Wade) and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek)
TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek
JOCKEY Esquivel, Emmanuel
BREEDER Jay Goodwin, Danny Guidry & Michael Hore
SEX Colt
COLOR Dark Bay or Brown
EARNINGS $13,875
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OWNER Special Aviators, LLC and Joseph M. Imbesi
JOCKEY Bravo, Joe
SEX Colt
EARNINGS $7,425
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OWNER Gary Bizzack and Tiffany Bizzack
TRAINER Anthony Mitchell
JOCKEY Saez, Luis
BREEDER Brandywine Farm & Jim & PamRobinson
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $58,262
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42
SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing or Madaket Stables LLC, et al
Bob Baffert
Fresu, Antonio
1
BET NOW Learn More OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing or Madaket Stables LLC, et al
TRAINER Bob Baffert
JOCKEY Fresu, Antonio
BREEDER Fortune Farms & William&Corinne Heiligbrodt
SEX Colt
COLOR Bay
EARNINGS $11,805
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OWNER Repole Stable
TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher
JOCKEY Santana Jr., Ricardo
BREEDER WinStar Farm, LLC
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $10,000
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OWNER Gary & Mary West Stables (Gary & Mary West)
TRAINER Brad H. Cox
JOCKEY Prat, Flavien
BREEDER Gary & Mary West Stables, Inc.
SEX Colt
COLOR Chestnut
EARNINGS $9,250
Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up in the Kentucky Derby winners circle.
What is the Road to the Kentucky Derby?
The Road to the Kentucky Derby, sponsored by Woodford Reserve, is a series of races where the top five horses in each race earn points. The 18 horses with the most points will get a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, which will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
There are three paths to the Kentucky Derby: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. The Derby prep races start in September and go through mid-April. These races are split into two parts: the Prep Season and the Championship Series. Horses earn points for finishing in the top five, and the Championship Series races give the most points. The horses with the most points, or those who win their international series, will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
Stay Up To Date With The Latest News & Horses
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Fierceness illustrates his laid-back personality (Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farms)
Horse Info to Know
Horse breeds for the Kentucky Derby are Thoroughbred horses and are exclusively bred naturally. The foundation sires for Thoroughbred horses, or founding fathers, are the Darley Arabian (1700), Godolphin Arabian (1724) and Byerly Turk (1679).
No matter when a Thoroughbred horse is born, every Thoroughbred shares the same birthday of January 1st!
Horses can have an affinity to certain track surfaces and conditions. There are horses who thrive on grassy turf and others who may dominate on dirt. In both scenarios, even soft ground versus firm, or sloppy dirt can provide an advantage to horses who may be more comfortable with the changes. Yes, horses will naturally play in water puddles!
Horses who run in the Kentucky Derby are often purchased at horse auctions by their current owners. These sales, such as Keeneland, OBS, or Fasig-Tipton, can conduct horse sales for a specific age or context of the horses; like breeding stock versus two-year-olds in training and mixed age or sex.
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