Kentucky Derby Roundup: Paladin tops the leaderboard

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 74 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Paladin returns victorious in Risen Star

Paladin, winner of the Remsen (G2) last fall, picked up a second straight Road to the Kentucky Derby triumph when kicking off 2026 in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.

After rating in fourth place, Paladin launched a sustained homestretch rally to wear down Chip Honcho by half a length in 1:49.14, earning the lion’s share of the 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualification points up for grabs.

Golden Tempo, winner of the Lecomte (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, closed belatedly to finish third over Universe and Carson Street.

With 60 points to his credit, Paladin tops the latest Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Chip Honcho ranks second with 39 points, while Golden Tempo (35 points) rounds out the top three.

Pavlovian edges Express Kid in Sunland Park Derby

It took every yard of the Sunland Park homestretch for Pavlovian to catch Express Kid in Sunday’s 1 1/16-mile Sunland Park Derby, but in the final stride, he pushed his nose across the finish line in first place.

Express Kid, winner of the Remington Springboard Mile S. on the Kentucky Derby trail, set fractions of :23.07, :46.40, and 1:10.07 while pressed by Pavlovian. He had every chance to hang on in the homestretch, but it was the stakes-placed California-bred Pavlovian who proved just a little faster, reaching the finish line in 1:42.22.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Pavlovian

Bricklin, Daneyko, and Forty Twenty rounded out the top five and claimed the minor shares of the 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualification points up for grabs.

Pavlovian debuts in ninth place on the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard with 20 points. Express Kid has likewise accumulated 20 points and ranks 10th on the leaderboard.

Al Haram stays unbeaten in Saudi Derby

Al Haram, an unbeaten three-year-old based in Saudi Arabia, brought his record to 4-for-4 with a tenacious triumph in Saturday’s Saudi Derby (G3), racing a metric mile.

For the first time, the Saudi Derby served as a European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 30-15-9-6-3 points. Al Haram wasn’t expected to win, but down the homestretch he launched an eye-catching late rally to surge past Obliteration and Satono Voyage to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:38.45. Wonder Dean and Keiai Agito rounded out the top five.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Al Haram

Though not currently a Triple Crown nominee, Al Haram is expected to target the March 28 UAE Derby (G2), the final leg of the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby. If all goes well, a tilt at the Kentucky Derby could be in the cards.

Points up for grabs in Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes

The European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby continues on Friday with the running of the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Meydan in Dubai, worth 20-10-6-4-2 points.

Formerly known as the Al Bastakiya, the race is held over 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles) and serves as a local stepping stone to the UAE Derby. A total of 15 horses are under consideration for the race: Al Khawaneej, Awesome Fleet, Brotherly Love, Duke of Immatin, Fire d’Oro, Knight of Glory, Lino Padrino, Music Lad, Omaha Front, Raajehh, Rammaas, Salloom, Shary Shayan, Senator of State, and Watch Collector.

Large field turns out for John Battaglia Memorial

An overflow field of 13 horses has entered Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 20-10-6-4-2 points.

Street Beast, a gate-to-wire winner of Turfway’s Leonatus S., is the possible favorite. Other notable entrants include Leonatus runner-up Fulleffort, Soaring Free S. winner Two Out Hero, Texas Turf Mile winner Aces Honor, Smarty Jones S. third-place finisher Baytown Dreamer, and Central Park S. winner Attfield.

Steel Imperium, Maximus Prime, Kilo Tango, Time for Money, Great White, Stop the Car, and Small Town complete the lineup. The latter colt is on the also-eligible list.

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby resumes with Hyacinth

The first Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier of 2026 is the Hyacinth S., slated to take place over a metric mile at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday.

Entries have yet to be finalized, but possible starters include Don Erectus, Acradia Cafe, and Ho O Luxor, who finished second, third, and fifth in the Cattleya S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Paladin individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4

On Sunday, Paladin closed as the 9-1 individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4, edging out Holy Bull (G3) winner Nearly, who settled at 10-1.

“All Other Three-Year-Olds” was the overall favorite at 9-2. Check out the full list of betting interests and odds here.

Trouble Calling, Awesome Gun impress at Fair Grounds

Trouble Calling and Awesome Gun prevailed in a pair of quick maiden special weights on Saturday at Fair Grounds, suggesting either or both could have Road to the Kentucky Derby potential.

Trouble Calling dominated a six-furlong sprint by 6 1/4 lengths in the sharp time of 1:09.18. Awesome Gun nabbed a 1 1/16-mile contest by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:43.22.

For more details on Trouble Calling, Awesome Gun, and other notable maiden winners, check out this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Chip Honcho rejoins Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

Chip Honcho’s game runner-up finish in the Risen Star earned him a return ticket to the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings on KentuckyDerby.com.

The Gun Runner S. winner bounced back from his disappointing fourth-place finish in the Lecomte and rejoins the Power Rankings in ninth place. Paladin currently ranks second, trailing only Nearly.

Meanwhile, Al Haram (17th place) and Start the Ride (20th place) are new names on the Power Rankings. Start the Ride was last seen winning the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby over a field including Pavlovian.

Latest Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Road to the Kentucky Derby points earners:

Blackout Time: Five furlongs in 1:00.00 on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park.

Brant: Six furlongs in 1:14.00 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Bravaro: Four furlongs in :47.35 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Further Ado: Four furlongs in :48.60 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Incredibolt: Four furlongs in :48.90 on Saturday at Palm Meadows.

Litmus Test: Four furlongs in :47.40 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Napoleon Solo: Five furlongs in 1:01.45 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Nearly: Four furlongs in :48.63 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Soldier N Diplomat: Five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Monday at Oaklawn Park.

Talkin: Four furlongs in :49.45 on Thursday at Palm Meadows.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Paladin (60 points)
2. Chip Honcho (39 points)
3. Golden Tempo (35 points)
4. Silent Tactic (25 points)
5. Renegade (25 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Six Speed (20 points)
2. Obliteration (15 points)
3. Puerto Rico (10 points)
4. Wonder Dean (6 points)
5. Lino Padrino (4 points)

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby top three

1. Pyromancer (20 points)
2. Best Green (6 points)
3. Arcadia Cafe (3 points)