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Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 15, 2026
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 15, 2026
David GreningApr 15, 2026
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 15, 2026
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Journalism has made an impression in his local gallops since arriving from his Southern California base for a Saturday clash with reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap – and trainer Michael McCarthy likes the transition last year's Preakness winner has made from age 3 to 4.
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For the second year in a row, a reigning Horse of the Year will launch their season at Oaklawn Park. Last meet, Thorpedo Anna captured the Grade 2 Azeri in her first start since being named the 2024 Horse of the Year. This Saturday, Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year, is set to make his first start at 4 in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.
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In a wild spring that saw him win Derby preps on four different horses, Irad Ortiz Jr. had a most difficult decision to make regarding whom to ride in the Kentucky Derby. In the end, he and his agent, Steve Rushing, opted to go with Renegade over Commandment, Further Ado, and Fulleffort. Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner, very well could go off favored in the race.
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Four horses coming out of stakes, including the steadily improving Ababajoni, will drop back into the allowance ranks in Friday’s $70,000 allowance feature carded for 3-year-old going a mile on the turf.
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Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up My Miss Mo moved a step closer to joining the field for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs after turning in a visually impressive half-mile breeze in 48.26 seconds, per Daily Racing Form, over a fast but cuppy track shortly after the second renovation break here Wednesday.
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Fair Grounds Oaks winner Life of Joy, who was considered one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Oaks, has been declared out of the race as the picture for the filly classic continues to take shape.
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In Wednesday’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Newmarket Racecourse, Azleet overcame a tardy start, and traffic issues in the opening quarter-mile, to record a surprise win.
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Renegade
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A turnback in distance, a drop in class, and a forward running style all should play into the favor of And One More Time when she starts in Friday's $150,000 Plenty of Grace Stakes at Aqueduct.