Kentucky Derby Roundup: Final field taking shape

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 11 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the first Saturday in May draws closer:

Ottinho, Iron Honor out of Derby field; Chief Wallabee cracks the top 20

Several horses have been removed from Kentucky Derby consideration in recent days. The group includes Ottinho, runner-up in the Blue Grass (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. According to David Grening of the Daily Racing Form, plans call for Ottinho to target the Preakness (G1) or Peter Pan (G3) instead.

Grening has also reported Holy Bull (G3) 1-2 finishers Nearly and Bravaro are out of the Derby picture following their respective fourth-place finishes in the Florida Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G2).

Iron Honor, the Gotham (G3) winner who finished seventh in the Wood Memorial, is expected to target the Preakness instead of the Derby. Champagne (G1) winner Napoleon Solo will pass on the Kentucky Derby, too. Stark Contrast, runner-up in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), hasn’t officially withdrawn from Derby consideration, but is more likely to compete in the American Turf (G1).

All these confirmed or potential withdrawals have shaken up the bottom portion of the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard. For starters, Chief Wallabee—one of the Kentucky Derby favorites after recording top-three finishes in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1)—is officially in the field.

Chip Honcho, winner of the Gun Runner S., has the option to compete in the Kentucky Derby, but Grening reports he’s unlikely to be confirmed for the Derby prior to Saturday, when entries are finalized, and post positions are drawn.

American Pharoah (G1) winner Intrepido sits on the bubble in 21st place on the leaderboard, but will make the cut if Stark Contrast and/or Chip Honcho withdraw. Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Litmus Test is next in line to qualify, while John Battaglia Memorial S. winner Great White and Wood Memorial third-place finisher Occelli will need additional defections to make the Derby field.

Chief Wallabee advances in Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

Following an impressive five-furlong workout on Monday at Churchill Downs (see details below), Chief Wallabee has advanced from fifth to third place in the latest Kentucky Derby Power Rankings on KentuckyDerby.com.

Chief Wallabee trails only Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Renegade (1st place) and Florida Derby conqueror Commandment (2nd place).

Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Potente has likewise moved up two spots from 11th to ninth place. Golden Tempo has advanced one place, from 12th to 11th. Meanwhile, Chip Honcho and Intrepido have rejoined the rankings in 16th place and 18th place, replacing Iron Honor and Ottinho.

Latest Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Albus: Four furlongs in :49.00 on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Albus worked in company with Theoretical, getting the opening quarter-mile in :24.40 and galloping out in 1:02.20.

Chief Wallabee: Five furlongs in 1:00.00 on Monday at Churchill Downs. Working for the second time with blinkers, Chief Wallabee traveled in company with Gilded Bandit and posted fractions of :24.80, :36.60, and :48.20 before galloping out in 1:12.00 and 1:26.60.

Chip Honcho: Five furlongs in :59.80 on Saturday at Churchill Downs. He worked in company with Corporate Power and posted sharp fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.20, and :47.20 on his way to a 1:12.40 gallop-out time.

Commandment: Five furlongs in :59.60 on Friday at Churchill Downs. He started one length behind workmate Direct Strike and posted splits of :12.40, :23.80, :35.60, and :47.40 before galloping out in 1:12.20 and 1:26.20.

Emerging Market: Four furlongs in :48.40 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Fulleffort: Five furlongs in :59.20 on Friday at Churchill Downs. Traveling in company with Chasten, Fulleffort clocked fractions of :12.20, :24.20, :35.60, and :47.20, then galloped out in 1:11.60, 1:25.40, and 1:40.20.

Further Ado: Four furlongs in :48.60 on Friday at Churchill Downs. He worked alone, getting the opening quarter-mile in :23.80 before galloping out in 1:01.00, 1:13.80, and 1:26.80.

Golden Tempo: Four furlongs in :47.00 on Friday at Keeneland.

Incredibolt: Four furlongs in :49.95 on Saturday at Palm Meadows.

Intrepido: Four furlongs in :47.20 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Ocelli: Four furlongs in :47.60 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Pavlovian: Six furlongs in 1:15.00 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Renegade: Four furlongs in :48.87 on Thursday at Palm Beach Downs.

Right to Party: Five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Going in company with Very Connected, Right to Party put up splits of :12.40, :24.00, :36.00, and :48.40 before galloping out in 1:14.20.

So Happy: Five furlongs in :59.60 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Stark Contrast: Five furlongs in :59.80 on Friday at Churchill Downs.

The Puma: Five furlongs in 1:00.77 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top 25

1. Commandment (150 points)
2. Further Ado (135 points)
3. Renegade (125 points)
4. So Happy (115 points)
5. Fulleffort (110 points)
6. The Puma (106 points)
7. Silent Tactic (100 points)
8. Emerging Market (100 points)
9. Albus (100 points)
10. Potente (100 points)
11. Pavlovian (70 points)
12. Right to Party (65 points)
13. Incredibolt (60 points)
14. Golden Tempo (60 points)
15. Stark Contrast (50 points)
16. Chief Wallabee (50 points)
17. Chip Honcho (49 points)
18. Danon Bourbon (Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier)
19. Wonder Dean (European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier)
20. Six Speed (European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier)
21. Intrepido (38 points)
22. Litmus Test (34 points)
23. Great White (30 points)
24. Ocelli (25 points)