Despite all the major points-scoring races having been completed, there are still many decisions that need to be made before getting a total handle on the field for Kentucky Derby 152 on May 2 at Churchill Downs. There are at least four horses among the top 21 point-earners who are less than certain to be entered by their connections come April 25. Ottinho, Class President, and Stark Contrast – who currently rank 15th through 17th on the points list – are uncertain to run. Additionally, Iron Honor, who ranks 21st, also is questionable to be entered. Class President was scratched from last Saturday’s Blue Grass, and his connections were doing further tests to determine his issues. Stark Contrast is more likely to run in the $1 million American Turf, barring major defections from the top Derby contenders. Chad Brown trains both Ottinho, second in the Blue Grass, and Iron Honor, who was seventh in the Wood Memorial after winning the Gotham. Brown said he needed to discuss plans further with the owners of both horses and also wanted to watch both horses train before making any final decisions on their Derby status. Given his rough trip in the Wood, Iron Honor would seem less likely of the pair to run. :: DRF's Derby Watch Top 20 | Who's hot, who's not | Pedigree profile: Albus Chief Wallabee, runner-up in the Fountain of Youth and third in the Florida Derby, currently ranks 22nd on the Derby points list. A spot for him should open if, as expected, Stark Contrast and Class President don’t start. While the Derby field is limited to 20 starters, 24 horses may enter with four being designated as also-eligibles. Any also-eligible horse would have until scratch time the morning of May 1 to draw into the race. Behind Chief Wallabee, in points order, are Chip Honcho (49), Universe (38), Grittiness (36), and Nearly (35). Trainer Steve Asmussen answered “undecided” when asked earlier this week if Chip Honcho would run should he make it into the field. Trainer Kenny McPeek said Universe is off the Derby trail and getting four to six weeks off on the farm following his fourth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby with the idea of being ready for a summer campaign. Grittiness, runner-up in the Virginia Derby and Withers, is still a maiden. He is trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Mike Repole, the connections of potential Derby favorite Renegade. Nearly, fourth in the Fountain of Youth after winning the Holy Bull, is being pointed to the Pat Day Mile, with Pletcher leaving the Derby as a possibility pending how he trains and potential defections. Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland offers Derby points, but not enough for even the winner to leapfrog into the top 20. Several jockey assignments for some of the top contenders were firmed up on Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday, agent Steve Rushing confirmed that Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Renegade in the Kentucky Derby for Pletcher and Repole. Ortiz, winless in nine Derby mounts, rode Renegade to victories in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. Ortiz rode Further Ado to an 11-length victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass, Commandment to win the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, and Fulleffort to win the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks. With Ortiz opting for Renegade, three-time Kentucky Derby-winning rider John Velazquez has picked up the mount on Further Ado, trainer Brad Cox texted. Further Ado is owned by Spendthrift Farm. Spendthrift won a Derby (Authentic in 2020) with Velazquez, who had been the rider of Class President. Cox also confirmed that Luis Saez will ride Commandment in the Kentucky Derby. Cox and Saez have had plenty of success together, including with Essential Quality the 2- and 3-year-old champion of 2020 and 2021. Cox said it is still to be determined who rides Fulleffort, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, in the Kentucky Derby. Flavien Prat, who rode Commandment to victory in the Florida Derby, is committed to ride Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market in the Kentucky Derby. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Jaime Torres will have a choice to make as he is the regular rider of both of Riley Mott’s Derby horses – Incredibolt and Albus. Torres rode Incredibolt to victory in the Virginia Derby and Albus to success in last Saturday’s Wood Memorial. McPeek confirmed this week that Chris Elliott will remain on Right to Party in the Kentucky Derby. Elliott, the son of Stewart Elliott, rider of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones, was on Right to Party for his Wood runner-up finish. “Chris Elliott stays on the horse,” McPeek said. “His dad got on horses for me the week before Smarty Jones won the Derby.” Right to Party was one of five horses who were late nominees to the Triple Crown by Monday’s second deadline for a fee of $6,000. The other horses were Maryland-based runners Taj Mahal and Let’s Go Lando, separated by a neck when finishing first and second in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park, and recent debut winners Bourbon Dream and Volendam. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.