By Kieran McHugh
One of the greatest days on the horse racing calendar has arrived this weekend, as they gear up for the 152nd renewal of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Florida Derby winner Commandment bids to extend the brilliant record that Florida Derby winners have, in winning the Kentucky Derby.
He faces numerous challengers including Todd Pletcher’s Renegade, Brad Cox’s Further Ado and Japanese raiders Wonder Dean and Danon Bourbon.
2026 Kentucky Derby full field
1 – Renegade, Irad Ortiz Jnr, Todd Pletcher
One of the big players in this year’s edition.
He is bang there on his Timeform and Beyer figure ratings and he is twice a winner around two turns.
He has the unenviable task of jumping from gate one, from which no horse has won since Ferdinand 40 years ago.
2 – Albus, Manuel Franco, Riley Mott
He is also twice a winner around two turns and has won his last two starts, coming into the derby.
However, the form of those races does not read like it will be to take victory in the Kentucky Derby
3 – Intrepido, Hector Barrios, Jeff Mullins
He was not far behind Plutarch but lacked form at the top level, he was well beaten behind Ted Noffey and this just seems too steep.
4 – Litmus Test, Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert
A strange case, started his career smartly but his known and latest form has been poor.
He has lots to find with Renegade and it could be hard to see him featuring but he is trained by Bob Bafftert, so who knows what sort of improvement he has in him.
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5 – Right To Party, Christopher Elliott, Kenny McPeek, NON-RUNNER
A shame that he does not run as the trainer has invited the remaining surviving Beastie Boys to watch the race.
6 – Commandment, Luis Saez, Brad Cox
Probably will go off the favourite and he has a big chance.
He has won three times over two turns and arrives here off the back of a phenomenal performance in the Florida Derby.
Nicely bred for this and doesn’t need to improve a lot to make his presence felt.
7 – Danon Bourbon, Atsuya Nishimura, Manabu Ikezoe
Japanese raider, hoping to go better than the legendary Forever Young.
May find this too tough on known form in Japan but has been working with menace in the build-up to this race.
Quite the unknown quantity.
8 – So Happy, Mike Smith, Mark Glatt
Santa Anita Derby winner, who has a big chance on Timeform and Beyer speed figures.
One time winner around two turns and Mike ´Big Money ‘ Smith in the saddle a huge plus.
9 – The Puma, Javier Castellano
Beat Further Ado in the Tampa Bay Derby and went down by a nose to Commandant in the Florida version.
He stands a good chance under the ‘Twin-Spires’ and is one of the protagonists.
10 – Wonder Dean, Ryusei Sakai, Daisuke Takayanagi
Another challenger from Japan who arguably represents a better chance than his compatriot.
He comes here from winning the UAE Derby and he can deal with the big field.
11 – Incredibolt, Jaime Torres, Riley Mott
Bounced back to form recently and it is a lively outsider.
Twice a two turn winner though he needs to improve on the speed figures.
Been touted as the ‘wiseguy’ choice for this year’s Kentucky Derby and his work was pretty impressive.
12 – Chief Wallabee, Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott
Connections looking to go back-to-back after winning with Sovereignty last year.
He has good speed figures, which give him a good chance but yet to win around two turns.
His third in the Florida Derby puts him in the mix and he should be there or thereabouts.
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13- Silent Tactic, Cristian Torres, Mark Casse
NON-RUNNER
14 – Potente, Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert
Another with an outside chance.
Big Timeform speed figure on last run and is respected.
He did a bullet work coming into the Kentucky Derby but might need a rabbit to chase, you would not want to see him lead.
15 – Emerging Market, Flavian Prat, Chad Brown
Slightly behind on raw form figures but has worked well and duelled well to win the Louisiana Derby.
Chad Brown won the Kentucky Oaks and will be looking to double up.
Flavian Prat has a phenomenal record in Triple Crown races.
16 – Pavlovian, Edwin Maldonado, Doug O’Neill
Potentially has to find more on raw form and looks like he could be the speed element in this race.
Likable sort but he could burn himself out at the tail end of the field.
17 – Six Speed, Brian Hernandez, Bhupat Seemar
He is built for the track and will fly out of the gate.
This Middle Eastern raider would be highly recommended if he had pulled a better draw.
18 – Further Ado, John Velazquez, Brad Cox
He will certainly be leading if he breaks well and that is imperative.
The one to beat on all known form and speed figures.
Three times a two turn winner and he avoids a nightmare draw.
Nobody has run faster than him this year (and the last) and his Blue Grass record is atrocious.
19 – Golden Tempo, Jose Ortiz, Cherie Devaux
Awful draw and needs to stay out of trouble.
Would make history if he won, giving the Kentucky Derby a first woman-trained winner.
That said, he has the breeding to win this – out of Curlin and with Bernardini underneath.
20 – Fulleffort, Tyler Gaffalione, Brad Cox
NON-RUNNER
21 – Great White, Alex Achar, John Ennis
A fan favourite and he would bring the house down should he take victory.
Perhaps lacks the form at the top end of this field and might even be too big for this track – standing at a massive 17.2 hands tall.
22 – Ocelli, Joseph Ramos, Whitworth Beckman
Third in the Wood Memorial is decent form but he is a maiden, winless in six races.
So, if he was to win the roses, he would be the first horse in the history of the Kentucky Derby to do so.
23 – Robusta, Emisael Jaramillo, Doug O’Neill
Has a lot to find on current form and this is a massive ask.
In the wider perspective of the race, he could add more pace to the front.
It is not unheard of for long-shots to win this race but it would be a great surprise.
