Kentucky Derby Roundup: Smarty Jones, Jerome kick off 2026

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 123 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Universe leads nine-horse Smarty Jones field

Saturday’s $250,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park is an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race awards qualification points to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis, and in recent years, it’s produced 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and 2023 Derby third-place finisher Angel of Empire.

This year’s renewal of the Smarty Jones has attracted nine entries. The field is led by Universe, who ranks fifth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard after recording top-three finishes in the Champagne (G1), Street Sense (G3), and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). A win at Oaklawn will propel Universe to second place on the leaderboard, trailing only probable champion two-year-old male Ted Noffey.

The other entrants are Juvenile Mile third-place finisher Baytown Dreamer, Advent S. runner-up Boca Beach Club, Jean Lafitte S. conqueror Oscar’s Hope, unbeaten allowance winner Rancho Santa Fe, Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. runner-up Scar Ship, Grey (G3) runner-up Silent Tactic, starter allowance winner Sleepingonfreedom, and FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. winner Strategic Risk.

My World, Balboa among Jerome entrants

Like the Smarty Jones, Saturday’s one-mile $150,000 Jerome S. at Aqueduct rewards the top five finishers with 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualification points.

The Jerome hasn’t produced a Kentucky Derby starter since Firenze Fire in 2018, but this year’s field has drawn a promising five-horse field. My World exits a decisive win in the one-mile Nashua S. at Aqueduct. Balboa recorded top-five finishes in the Remsen (G2) and American Pharoah (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Enforced Agenda clocked a quick time in a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct. 

Pennsylvania Nursery S. winner Mailata and runaway $40,000 maiden claiming winner Freedom’s Echo complete the lineup.

Secured Freedom breaks maiden at Santa Anita

Santa Anita opened for winter racing on Sunday, and Secured Freedom used the occasion to post an eye-catching victory in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight.

Making his second start following an unremarkable debut at Del Mar, Secured Freedom rated in midfield behind blazing pace fractions of :21.29 and :43.45 before surging past the leaders to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:15.90.

Secured Freedom is one of five two-year-old maiden winners highlighted in this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch. Any or all of them could wind up competing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Latest Kentucky Derby contender workouts

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

Balboa: Worked five furlongs in 1:02.00 on Wednesday at Laurel Park.

Cherokee Nation: Clocked a fast half-mile in :47.00 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Chip Honcho: Traversed half a mile in an easy :51.80 on Monday at Fair Grounds, his first work since winning the Gun Runner S.

Desert Gate: Blazed five furlongs in a bullet :59.20 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Diciassette: Worked four furlongs in :51.90 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Incredibolt: Traveled half a mile in :49.65 at Palm Meadows last Tuesday.

Intrepido: Went five furlongs in an easy 1:03.00 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Grittiness: Breezed four furlongs in :49.36 over the Belmont Park training track on Wednesday.

Litmus Test: In his first timed workout since winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), Litmus Test cruised three furlongs in :37.00 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Maximus Prime: Clocked five furlongs in 1:01.20 last Tuesday at The Thoroughbred Center.

Paladin: In his first work since winning the Remsen (G2) and subsequently shipping to Florida, Paladin breezed four furlongs in :50.80 on Sunday at Payson Park.

Plutarch: Worked six furlongs over Santa Anita’s all-weather training track in 1:15.80 last Tuesday, then followed up with half a mile over the same track in :48.40 on Saturday.

Renegade: Sped four furlongs in :49.43 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Soldier N Diplomat: Breezed an easy half-mile in :51.20 on Wednesday at Fair Grounds.

Universe: Traveled four furlongs in :49.00 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Vost: Clocked half a mile in :48.45 on Saturday at Palm Meadows.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Ted Noffey (40 points)
2. Litmus Test (19 points)
3. Mr. A. P. (15 points)
4. Intrepido (13 points)
5. Universe (13 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Hawk Mountain (20 points)
2. Puerto Rico (10 points)
3. Bow Echo (10 points)
4. Action (8 points)
5. Nighttime (5 points)

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Pyromancer (20 points)
2. Tamamo Freesia (10 points)
3. Satono Voyage (10 points)
4. Best Green (6 points)
5. Don Erectus (5 points)