Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 8, 2026
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WHO’S HOT
Brad Cox won a Kentucky Derby points-scoring race for the third straight week, this time with Further Ado galloping to an 11-length victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass. Further Ado, who earned a division-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure was lowered by David Aragona from 25-1 before the Blue Grass to co-second choice at 5-1 with his Cox-trained stablemate, Commandment, winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28.
Cox also has Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort pointing to the Derby.
With Irad Ortiz Jr. sticking with Renegade, John Velazquez has picked up the mount on Further Ado and Luis Saez will ride Commandment. Cox still needs a rider for Fulleffort.
So Happy rebounded from a third in the San Felipe to win the Santa Anita Derby by 2 3/4 lengths. He will be the sentimental favorite as Dena Glatt, wife of So Happy trainer Mark Glatt, died earlier this year.
Albus’s victory in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial gives trainer Riley Mott, son of Hall of Fame trainer and two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bill Mott, a second Kentucky Derby hopeful to go with Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt.
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
WHO’S NOT
Cherokee Nation and Reagan’s Honor needed one-two finishes in the Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass, respectively, to make the Kentucky Derby field but failed to fire in their races.
Intrepido ran himself off the Derby trail with a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, his second straight subpar performance.
Class President was scratched from the Blue Grass two days before the race because trainer Todd Pletcher didn’t like the way he was moving.
ON THE BUBBLE
Iron Honor took a hard bump going into the first turn of the Wood and faded to seventh after getting keen and stalking the pace. Iron Honor and Chief Wallabee currently stand 21st and 22nd on the points list. With the likelihood that Class President and Stark Contrast don’t run, they would both get in. Chad Brown said he would like to see how Iron Honor trains over the next week before making a final Derby decision.
Stark Contrast, though in on points, is still being aimed at the American Turf. Chip Honcho, Grittiness, and Nearly are still under consideration, though Nearly is likely for the Pat Day Mile.
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