Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Renegade

Renegade has shown talent and stamina on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. and placing second in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2).

The testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) itself should be well within reach for Renegade. His pedigree is packed to overflowing with classic stamina.

A few years back, some pedigree handicappers might have doubted Renegade’s ability to stay 1 1/4 miles. After all, he’s a son of Into Mischief, winner of the 1 1/16-mile CashCall Futurity (G1) and runner-up in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1). Early in his stud career, Into Mischief was known for siring elite sprinters and milers, such as champion female sprinters Gamine and Covfefe—two winners of the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)—and also Life Is Good and Goldencents, who combined to win three editions of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

But around the time Life Is Good was rising to prominence, Into Mischief began reinventing his stud career. He’d already sired 2018 Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Audible, and in 2020, Into Mischief’s son Authentic won the Kentucky Derby and 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) during a Horse of the Year campaign, proving Into Mischief could sire an elite performer over classic distances.

The following year, Into Mischief sired a second Kentucky Derby winner when Mandaloun won the roses. In 2024, Into Mischief’s son Laurel River dominated the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) Dubai World Cup (G1). And in 2025, Into Mischief became only the fifth stallion to sire three Kentucky Derby winners when Sovereignty claimed first prize under the Twin Spires.

Sovereignty reiterated his classic prowess by adding wins in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont (G1) and 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1) to his record. His Grade 1 triple secured 2025 Horse of the Year honors.

It appears many of Into Mischief’s best route racers have inherited stamina from their dams. Sovereignty, for example, was produced by Crowned, a beautifully bred daughter of champion Bernardini out of the Empire Maker mare Mushka. Bernardini won the 1 3/16-mile Preakness (G1), Empire Maker took the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, and Mushka scored her signature win in the 1 1/8-mile Spinster (G1).

Fortunately for Renegade’s Kentucky Derby chances, his female family is stuffed with stamina.

Renegade is the first foal produced by Spice Is Nice, a long-winded filly who scored her signature win in the 1 1/8-mile Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series (G3). Spice Is Nice, in turn, is a daughter of Curlin out of the Bernardini mare Dame Dorothy.

Curlin needs no introduction. His exploits over classic distances earned him two Horse of the Year titles. Wins in the Preakness, Dubai World Cup, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) helped make him the first horse to earn over $10 million in purse money.

If anything, Curlin has risen even higher at stud. He’s arguably the most reliable source of classic dirt stamina in modern U.S. pedigrees. He’s sired Preakness winners Exaggerator and Journalism (both runners-up in the Kentucky Derby), Belmont hero Palace Malice, and Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic. In addition, Curlin is the grandsire of Kentucky Derby winners Rich Strike (2022) and Mage (2023).

Now let’s check out Dame Dorothy. Though she’s best remembered for winning the seven-furlong Humana Distaff (G1), Dame Dorothy was also a capable route racer, winning the 1 1/16-mile Turnback the Alarm H. (G3) and running second in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Margarita (G1).

In addition to foaling Spice Is Nice, Dame Dorthy is the dam of Principe d’Oro (a four-time winner racing one mile to 1 1/8 miles on dirt) and Sgt. Pepper (a maiden winner racing 1 1/2 miles on turf).

We’ve already mentioned that Dame Dorothy’s sire, Bernardini, won the Preakness. He also nabbed the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup on his way to earning champion three-year-old male honors. At stud, he counted Travers winners Stay Thirsty and Alpha among his best runners, but he’s done even better as a broodmare sire.

Indeed, daughters of Bernardini have foaled not only Sovereignty, but also Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress, two-time Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) winner Colonel Liam, Saudi Cup (G1) conqueror Emblem Road, four-time Grade 1 winner Clairiere, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) victor Nysos, and Travers winner Catholic Boy, to name a few.

It’s impossible to knock the pedigree of Renegade from a Kentucky Derby perspective. If he falls short on the first Saturday in May, his bloodlines won’t be to blame.