Kentucky Derby Roundup: Fulleffort tops the leaderboard

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 39 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Emerging Market handles class jump in Louisiana Derby

Fast debut winner Emerging Market successfully stepped up in class and distance for the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, winning the lucrative Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier in a driving finish.

Despite entering with only a maiden win to his credit, Emerging Market started as the 2-1 favorite and rallied steadily from fifth place to defeat Sunland Park Derby winner Pavlovian by a head in 1:55.18. Golden Tempo, Universe, and Chip Honcho rounded out the top five.

The Louisiana Derby awarded Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis to the top five finishers. Emerging Market debuts in second place on the leaderboard with 100 points, while Pavlovian has accumulated 70 points in total, ranking third. Golden Tempo (60 points, sixth place), Chip Honcho (49 points, 14th place), and Universe (38 points, 15th place) likewise rank in the Top 20.

Fulleffort charges home on top in Jeff Ruby Steaks

Fulleffort, runner-up in last month’s John Battaglia Memorial S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, vaulted to the top of the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard after nabbing the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

Relishing stretching out over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta, Fulleffort closed strongly from ninth place to defeat Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) runner-up Stark Contrast by 2 1/2 lengths, with Medici, Stop the Car, and Argos claiming the last of the 100-50-25-15-10 points up for grabs.

With a total of 110 points to his credit, Fulleffort exits the weekend ranked ahead of Emerging Market and Pavlovian on the leaderboard. Stark Contrast debuts in 10th place with 50 points.

Commandment, Chief Wallabee, and Nearly face off in Florida Derby

Fountain of Youth (G2) 1-2 finishers Commandment and Chief Wallabee will square off against Holy Bull (G3) winner Nearly in a stellar renewal of the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner The Puma and Sam F. Davis S. runner-up Wayne’s Law add further depth to Florida Derby, which is worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers.

Albus, Timeless Victory, and Gregarious complete the expected lineup. Redland Rebels, fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby, is expected to scratch and compete in the Arkansas Derby (G1) instead.

Strong field turns out for Arkansas Derby

An accomplished field will face the starter in Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, an important Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 100-50-25-15-10 points.

Southwest (G3) winner Silent Tactic, Breeders’ Futurity (G1) runner-up Blackout Time, Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) conqueror Litmus Test, Sam F. Davis S. winner Renegade, Sunland Park Derby third-place finisher Bricklin, and the previously mentioned Redlands Rebel are among the proven Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni in the lineup.

Impressive maiden winner Taptastic and $150,000 allowance optional claiming winner Exosome complete the expected field. Champagne (G1) winner Napoleon Solo entered the Arkansas Derby, but is expected to scratch and await the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct instead.

Pyromancer faces 11 rivals in UAE Derby

A dozen horses will face the starter in Saturday’s UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan in Dubai, the final leg of the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Contested over 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles), the UAE Derby is worth 100-60-30-15-10 points. The field includes Japanese raider Pyromancer, who rose to prominence when taking the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby last year.

Other accomplished entrants include UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) 1-2 finishers Six Speed and Devon Island, plus Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby winner Brotherly Love. Rounding out the field are Wonder Dean, Go Man, Salloom, Rammaas, Union Security, Duke of Immatin, Lino Padrino, and Labwah.

Lucky Kid seeks Kentucky Derby berth in Fukuryu

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby wraps up on Saturday with the running of the Fukuryu S. over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) at Nakayama.

The Fukuryu is worth 40-20-12-8-4 points to the top five finishers. Lucky Kid tops the current leaderboard with 30 points after triumphing in last month’s Hyacinth S., and he leads the prospective field for the Fukuryu. A win will guarantee him a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Other possible starters include Hyacinth 2-3 finishers Don Erectus and Itterasshai, plus the unbeaten up-and-comer Danon Bourbon.

Make My Day breaks maiden for Todd Pletcher

A quartet of Triple Crown nominees scored notable maiden wins last week.

Leading the charge was Make My Day, from the barn of two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher. He graduated second-time out in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park, triumphing by 1 1/2 lengths in the solid time of 1:42.57.

Catch up on all the latest maiden winners of note in this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Emerging Market debuts in Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

Unsurprisingly, Emerging Market has achieved a high ranking in the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings following his triumph in the Louisiana Derby.

The lightly raced colt debuts in ninth place. Pavlovian, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby, is likewise new to the list in 11th place. Further down, Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort joins the rankings in 19th place.

The additions of these three prompted the removal of Intrepido, Reagan’s Honor, and Cherokee Nation.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Fulleffort (110 points)
2. Emerging Market (100 points)
3. Pavlovian (70 points)
4. Paladin (60 points)
5. Incredibolt (60 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Six Speed (20 points)
2. Puerto Rico (10 points)
3. Lino Padrino (10 points)
4. Wonder Dean (6 points)
5. Keiai Agito (3 points)

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Lucky Kid (30 points)
2. Pyromancer (20 points)
3. Itterasshai (9 points)
4. Best Green (6 points)
5. Arcadia Cafe (3 points)