Kentucky Derby Horses & Contenders Leaderboard

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: The Road to the Kentucky Derby

The 2025–2026 Horse Leaderboard tracks Kentucky Derby contenders as they earn points through designated prep races around the world. Use the leaderboard to follow each horse’s standing, compare points and earnings, place bets on specific horses, and explore horse profiles to learn more about the runners shaping the path to the Kentucky Derby.

Get more information about the three paths to the Kentucky Derby and how horses earn a spot at the starting gate here.

 


2025–2026 Horse Leaderboard

  • American
  • ENTRIES
    HORSE
    OWNER
    TRAINER
    MORNING LINE ODDS
  • 1

    Wathnan Racing (Tameem Binhamad KH H All-Thani)

    Brad H. Cox

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    Commandment wins the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.

    OWNER Wathnan Racing (Tameem Binhamad KH H All-Thani)

    TRAINER Brad H. Cox

    JOCKEY Prat, Flavien

    BREEDER Lee Pokoik

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Prat, Flavien

    EARNINGS $943,020

    TOTAL POINTS 150

  • 2

    Spendthrift Farm LLC (Eric P. Gustavson)

    Brad H. Cox

    BET NOW Learn More
    Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.

    OWNER Spendthrift Farm LLC (Eric P. Gustavson)

    TRAINER Brad H. Cox

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    BREEDER John C. Oxley

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    EARNINGS $1,068,095

    TOTAL POINTS 135

  • 3

    Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable (Mike Repole)

    Todd A. Pletcher

    BET NOW Learn More
    Renegade wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

    OWNER Robert & Lawana L. Low & Repole Stable (Mike Repole)

    TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    BREEDER Robert Low & Lawana Low

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    EARNINGS $1,002,500

    TOTAL POINTS 125

  • 4

    Norman Stables LLC (Robbie Norman) & Saints or Sinners (Hans & Ana Maron)

    Mark Glatt

    BET NOW Learn More
    So Happy wins the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita

    OWNER Norman Stables LLC (Robbie Norman) & Saints or Sinners (Hans & Ana Maron)

    TRAINER Mark Glatt

    JOCKEY Smith, Mike E.

    BREEDER Leverett S. Miller

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Smith, Mike E.

    EARNINGS $444,000

    TOTAL POINTS 115

  • 5

    St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing

    Brad H. Cox

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    Fulleffort wins the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park.

    OWNER St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing

    TRAINER Brad H. Cox

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    BREEDER Athens Woods LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    JOCKEY Ortiz Jr., Irad

    EARNINGS $507,900

    TOTAL POINTS 110

  • 6

    OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado), JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo et al) & High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira & Todd Perry)

    Gustavo Delgado

    BET NOW Learn More
    The Puma wins the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

    OWNER OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado), JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo et al) & High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira & Todd Perry)

    TRAINER Gustavo Delgado

    JOCKEY Castellano, Javier

    BREEDER Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    JOCKEY Castellano, Javier

    EARNINGS $428,000

    TOTAL POINTS 106

  • 7

    John C. Oxley

    Mark E. Casse

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    Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

    OWNER John C. Oxley

    TRAINER Mark E. Casse

    JOCKEY Torres, Cristian A.

    BREEDER Don Alberto Corporation

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Torres, Cristian A.

    EARNINGS $1,020,130

    TOTAL POINTS 100

  • 8

    Klaravich Stables, Inc.

    Chad C. Brown

    BET NOW Learn More
    Emerging Market wins the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

    OWNER Klaravich Stables, Inc.

    TRAINER Chad C. Brown

    JOCKEY Prat, Flavien

    BREEDER Stoneriggs Farm

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    JOCKEY Prat, Flavien

    EARNINGS $600,000

    TOTAL POINTS 100

  • 9

    Pin Oak Stud (Dana Bernhard)

    Riley Mott

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    Albus wins the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

    OWNER Pin Oak Stud (Dana Bernhard)

    TRAINER Riley Mott

    JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.

    BREEDER Susan Casner

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.

    EARNINGS $400,000

    TOTAL POINTS 100

  • 10

    Speedway Stables LLC (Peter Fluor & K.C. Weiner)

    Bob Baffert

    BET NOW Learn More
    Potente wins the San Felipe at Santa Anita.

    OWNER Speedway Stables LLC (Peter Fluor & K.C. Weiner)

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.

    BREEDER Pam & Martin Wygod

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Hernandez, Juan J.

    EARNINGS $220,000

    TOTAL POINTS 100

  • 11

    Reddam Racing LLC (J. Paul Reddam)

    Doug F. O'Neill

    BET NOW Learn More
    Pavlovian and Express Kid match strides to the wire in the Sunland Park Derby

    OWNER Reddam Racing LLC (J. Paul Reddam)

    TRAINER Doug F. O'Neill

    JOCKEY Maldonado, Edwin A.

    BREEDER Reddam Racing, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    JOCKEY Maldonado, Edwin A.

    EARNINGS $527,000

    TOTAL POINTS 70

  • 12

    Chester Broman Sr.

    Kenneth G. McPeek

    BET NOW Learn More
    Right to Party

    OWNER Chester Broman Sr.

    TRAINER Kenneth G. McPeek

    JOCKEY Elliott, Christopher

    BREEDER Tony Holmes & Timothy C. Thornton

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    JOCKEY Elliott, Christopher

    EARNINGS $176,000

    TOTAL POINTS 65

  • 13

    Pin Oak Stud LLC (Dana Bernhard)

    Riley Mott

    BET NOW Learn More
    Incredibolt wins the Street Sense at Churchill Downs

    OWNER Pin Oak Stud LLC (Dana Bernhard)

    TRAINER Riley Mott

    JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.

    BREEDER Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    JOCKEY Torres, Jaime A.

    EARNINGS $424,570

    TOTAL POINTS 60

  • 14

    Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola)

    Cherie DeVaux

    BET NOW Learn More
    Golden Tempo wins the Lecomte at Fair Grounds.

    OWNER Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola)

    TRAINER Cherie DeVaux

    JOCKEY Ortiz, Jose L.

    BREEDER Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Ortiz, Jose L.

    EARNINGS $300,000

    TOTAL POINTS 60

  • 15

    Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)

    Chad C. Brown

    BET NOW Learn More
    Ottinho wins at Aqueduct.

    OWNER Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)

    TRAINER Chad C. Brown

    JOCKEY Davis, Dylan

    BREEDER Three Chimneys Farm, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Davis, Dylan

    EARNINGS $267,750

    TOTAL POINTS 56

  • 16

    Amerman Racing LLC (Mr. & Mrs. John Amerman)

    Michael W. McCarthy

    BET NOW Learn More
    Stark Contrast wins the Zuma Beach (G3)

    OWNER Amerman Racing LLC (Mr. & Mrs. John Amerman)

    TRAINER Michael W. McCarthy

    JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi

    BREEDER Mrs. Jerry Amerman

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Kimura, Kazushi

    EARNINGS $439,900

    TOTAL POINTS 50

  • 17

    St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), William H. Lawrence & Glassman Racing (Cathi Glassman)

    Chad C. Brown

    BET NOW Learn More
    Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

    OWNER St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), William H. Lawrence & Glassman Racing (Cathi Glassman)

    TRAINER Chad C. Brown

    JOCKEY Franco, Manuel

    BREEDER Mike Freeny & Pat Freeny

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Franco, Manuel

    EARNINGS $182,500

    TOTAL POINTS 50

  • 18

    Danox Co. Ltd.

    Manabu Ikezoe

    BET NOW Learn More

    OWNER Danox Co. Ltd.

    TRAINER Manabu Ikezoe

    JOCKEY A.Nishimura

    BREEDER Blue Heaven Farm

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay

    JOCKEY A.Nishimura

    EARNINGS $221,246

    TOTAL POINTS 40

  • 19

    Yoshinari Yamamoto

    Daisuke Takayanagi

    BET NOW Learn More

    OWNER Yoshinari Yamamoto

    TRAINER Daisuke Takayanagi

    JOCKEY Oisin Murphy

    BREEDER Yoshinari Yamamoto

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay

    JOCKEY Oisin Murphy

    EARNINGS $725,172

    TOTAL POINTS 106

  • 20

    Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds (Jake Ballis), Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables (Reagan Swinbank)

    Bhupat Seemar

    BET NOW Learn More
    Six Speed had the gears to dominate the UAE 2000 Guineas

    OWNER Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds (Jake Ballis), Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables (Reagan Swinbank)

    TRAINER Bhupat Seemar

    JOCKEY Barzalona, Mickael

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay or Brown

    JOCKEY Barzalona, Mickael

    EARNINGS $314,366

    TOTAL POINTS 80

  • 21

    Michael & Katherine G. Ball

    William I. Mott

    BET NOW Learn More
    Chief Wallabee (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

    OWNER Michael & Katherine G. Ball

    TRAINER William I. Mott

    JOCKEY Alvarado, Junior

    BREEDER Mike Ball & Katherine Ball

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Alvarado, Junior

    EARNINGS $175,800

    TOTAL POINTS 50

  • 22

    Leland Ackerley Racing LLC (Lee Ackerley), James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia

    Steven M. Asmussen

    BET NOW Learn More
    Chip Honcho wins the Gun Runner at Fair Grounds.

    OWNER Leland Ackerley Racing LLC (Lee Ackerley), James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia

    TRAINER Steven M. Asmussen

    JOCKEY Saez, Luis

    BREEDER Venneri Racing Inc. & Tony Fanticola

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    JOCKEY Saez, Luis

    EARNINGS $190,000

    TOTAL POINTS 49

  • 23

    Dutch Girl Holdings LLC (Michele Arthur) & Irving Ventures LLC (Ruben Isla)

    Jeff Mullins

    BET NOW Learn More
    Intrepido wins the American Pharoah at Santa Anita.

    OWNER Dutch Girl Holdings LLC (Michele Arthur) & Irving Ventures LLC (Ruben Isla)

    TRAINER Jeff Mullins

    JOCKEY Berrios, Hector Isaac

    BREEDER Sierra Fria Farm LLC

    SEX Ridgling

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Berrios, Hector Isaac

    EARNINGS $290,000

    TOTAL POINTS 38

  • 24

    Repole Stable (Mike Repole)

    Todd A. Pletcher

    BET NOW Learn More

    OWNER Repole Stable (Mike Repole)

    TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher

    JOCKEY Maragh, Rajiv

    BREEDER WinStar Farm, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Chestnut

    JOCKEY Maragh, Rajiv

    EARNINGS $150,000

    TOTAL POINTS 36

  • 25

    Centennial Farms (Donald Little)

    Todd A. Pletcher

    BET NOW Learn More
    Nearly wins the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.

    OWNER Centennial Farms (Donald Little)

    TRAINER Todd A. Pletcher

    JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.

    BREEDER Wind Hill Farm

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Dark Bay or Brown

    JOCKEY Velazquez, John R.

    EARNINGS $220,450

    TOTAL POINTS 35

  • 26

    Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie S. Brennan, Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables & Paul Braverman

    Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.

    BET NOW Learn More
    Bravaro wins at Bemont at the Big A.

    OWNER Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie S. Brennan, Shining Stables LLC, BAG Racing Stables & Paul Braverman

    TRAINER Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.

    JOCKEY Gonzalez, Edwin

    BREEDER Stepanie Baltzan

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Gonzalez, Edwin

    EARNINGS $118,700

    TOTAL POINTS 35

  • 27

    SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine Donovan

    Bob Baffert

    BET NOW Learn More
    Litmus Test breaks maiden at Del Mar.

    OWNER SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine Donovan

    TRAINER Bob Baffert

    JOCKEY Arrieta, Francisco

    BREEDER Machmer Hall

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Arrieta, Francisco

    EARNINGS $429,688

    TOTAL POINTS 34

  • 28

    Three Chimneys Farm (Goncalo B. Torrealba) & John Ennis

    John Ennis

    BET NOW Learn More
    Great White wins the Gary L Wilfert Memorial at Turfway Park.

    OWNER Three Chimneys Farm (Goncalo B. Torrealba) & John Ennis

    TRAINER John Ennis

    JOCKEY Achard, Alex

    BREEDER 1 0stud T.N.T. Llc

    SEX Gelding

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    JOCKEY Achard, Alex

    EARNINGS $144,003

    TOTAL POINTS 30

  • 29

    Gold Square LLC (Al Gold)

    Chad Summers

    BET NOW Learn More
    Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct.

    OWNER Gold Square LLC (Al Gold)

    TRAINER Chad Summers

    JOCKEY Lopez, Paco

    BREEDER John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Gray or Roan

    JOCKEY Lopez, Paco

    EARNINGS $316,520

    TOTAL POINTS 25

  • 30

    Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate & Front Page Equestrian LLC (Kevin Page)

    D. Whitworth Beckman

    BET NOW Learn More

    OWNER Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate & Front Page Equestrian LLC (Kevin Page)

    TRAINER D. Whitworth Beckman

    JOCKEY Ramos, Joseph D.

    BREEDER Rosedown Racing Stables, LLC

    SEX Colt

    COLOR Bay

    JOCKEY Ramos, Joseph D.

    EARNINGS $80,200

    TOTAL POINTS 25

Have You Picked Your Kentucky Derby Horses Yet?

Learn more on what bets you can make on the Kentucky Derby

Placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby is a fun way to have a rooting interest in the outcome, even if you don’t know much about the sport. But learning a few nuances of handicapping horse races will elevate your enjoyment of the Derby to a new level.

How do our Wagering Experts see it?

Learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby with tips from our racing experts.

Predict the winner with a Future Wager

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers allow racing fans to bet on potential contenders in the Derby and Oaks before the races’ final entrants are determined.


Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up in the Kentucky Derby winners circle.

Sovereignty with jockey Junior Alvarado up in the Kentucky Derby winners circle.

What is the Road to the Kentucky Derby?

Each year, 20 Thoroughbred horses have a once in a lifetime chance to run in 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 in the American Road and those who win their international series in the Japan and European/Middle East Road, will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Learn more >

 


Stay Up To Date With The Latest News & Horses

Read here for the latest updates around the Kentucky Derby.

Wager Big on the Kentucky Derby

View Expert Picks, Live Odds, Future Wager Pools and more horse information!

Download the Derby App

The Churchill Downs app puts all the information you need for the Kentucky Derby day right at your fingertips. Stay up to date with post times and race results, view expert picks, place bets directly in the app, purchase and access your tickets, and more.


Fierceness lying down as a foal

Fierceness illustrates his laid-back personality (Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End Farms)

General Kentucky Derby Horse Info

The only horses eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby are Thoroughbreds, which are exclusively bred naturally. The foundation sires for Thoroughbred horses, or founding fathers, are 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 in the Kentucky Derby must be exactly three years old by the first Saturday in May in order to be eligible to compete

Derby contenders may be geldings, colts, or fillies and each horse 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. Track conditions matter just as much with certain horses gaining an advantage depending on whether the track is good, wet fast, muddy, or sloppy.

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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