Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 25, 2026
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WHO’S HOT
Reagan’s Honor validated his front-running maiden victory on Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds with an even faster and more eye-catching front-running allowance score on Feb. 19. This son of Honor A.P. trained by Cherie DeVaux will take his Derby shot against pro-tem Derby favorite Paladin in the Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 4.
WHO’S NOT
Plutarch, the Grade 3 Robert Lewis winner, was declared off the Derby trail by trainer Bob Baffert, who said the horse developed some body soreness out of his victory in the Lewis and needs more time. Baffert said he is “on the fence” with Desert Gate, who finished fourth in the Lewis and who has not yet worked back. Both horses were dropped from the Derby Watch top 20.
ON THE BUBBLE
Debut winner Chief Wallabee will jump into the fire in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth for trainer Bill Mott. With the late defection of Plutarch, Chief Wallabee was a late addition to the Top 20.
Emerging Market, a fast debut winner at Tampa on Feb. 7, is targeting the Louisiana Derby on March 21 though, win or lose, trainer Chad Brown admitted it would be unorthodox for him to run a horse in the Kentucky off just two lifetime starts.
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Blacksmith, a 3 3/4-length maiden winner on Feb. 20 for Bob Baffert, may get a shot in the Santa Anita Derby.
Danon Bourbon is emerging as potentially Japan’s top prospect. On Feb. 15, he won a 1 1/8-mile allowance race by 5 3/4 lengths, nearly four months after winning his debut, also at 1 1/8 miles, by 10 lengths. He is a Kentucky-bred son of Maxfield out of a dam who is a half-sister to Grade 2 Remsen winner Dubyuhnell. Danon Bourbon likely runs back in the March 28 Fukuryu Stakes, which awards the winner 40 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.
Great White and Fulleffort, finished a neck apart in the John Battaglia Memorial and will likely be rematched in the Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 21.
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