Kentucky Derby Contenders, Entries & Top Horses to Watch in 2027
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Kentucky Derby Contenders
Who is running in the Kentucky Derby? Each Kentucky Derby contender and information on each contender can be found below.
Last updated: October 5th at 4:17 p.m. EDT
2027 Kentucky Derby Contenders
As horses enter the Derby trail, they get one shot to run in the Kentucky Derby in their lifetime.
Discover how horses earn the chance to run in the Kentucky Derby with information below; Information such as contender lists, race entries and point accumulation.
- 2026-27 U.S. Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2026-27 Europe Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2026-27 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard
- 2027 Kentucky Derby contender pedigree profiles
- 2027 Early Triple Crown Nominations
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Past Performances
Past Performances for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders show how each horse performed in their previous races. Contender past performances are free with bet.
2026-2027 Kentucky Derby Contender Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders who are hopeful to start the 2027 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the Road to the Kentucky Derby trail and non-restricted stakes earnings.
| Points | Horse | RTKD Races Won |
|---|
10 | Hughes | American Pharoah Stakes |
10 | American History | Breeders' Futurity Stakes |
10 | Salahudin | Iroquois Stakes |
10 | U. S. S. Valor | Champagne Stakes |
5 | Coach Pope | |
5 | Net Pair | |
5 | Gaudreau | |
5 | He Is No Lie | |
3 | Q B Rocket | |
3 | Club Reign |
Showing 1 to 10 of 20 entries
2026-2027 European Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders from the Euro series who are hopeful to start the 2027 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the European Road to the Kentucky Derby trail
| Points | Horse | RTKD Races Won |
|---|
10 | Haffner | Royal Lodge Stakes |
10 | Noble Exhibit | Beresford Stakes |
10 | Amusingly | Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère |
5 | Burning Up | |
5 | City Of Dubai | |
5 | Folsom Blues | |
3 | Quicken Away | |
3 | Drumbeat | |
3 | Man's Best Friend | |
2 | First Law |
Showing 1 to 10 of 15 entries
2026-2027 Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Point Leaders
Check out the latest standings of contenders from the Japan series who are hopeful to start the 2027 Kentucky Derby. Positions based on points earned along the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby trail.
Points will be posted after the running of the Cattleya Stakes on 11/29!
2027 Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profiles
Prevailing in the Run for the Roses requires a perfect blend of stamina and speed, plus an early-maturing profile sufficient to deliver a winning effort on the first Saturday in May. Learn more about the pedigree profiles of the leading contenders for the 2027 Kentucky Derby below. Use the quicklinks to jump to a specific horse:
SALAHUDIN | HUGHES | AMERICAN HISTORY | U. S. S. VALOR
SALAHUDIN
Salahudin was the first horse to strike on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby, opening the series with a determined triumph in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois took place over a one-turn mile, but Salahudin’s pedigree suggests he’s a fantastic fit for the 1 1/4-mile, two-turn configuration of the Kentucky Derby (G1).
HUGHES
Hughes won the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby, opening the California series for trainer Bob Baffert.
- Hughes official horse profile
- Pedigree profile coming soon!
AMERICAN HISTORY
American History won Keeneland Racetrack's Breeders' Futurity Stakes on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby for legendary connections of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez.
- American History official horse profile
- Pedigree profile coming soon!
U. S. S. VALOR
U. S. S. Valor won the Champagne Stakes at the renovated Belmont Park on the 2026-27 Road to the Kentucky Derby for trainer Shug McGaughey and jockey Manny Franco.
- U. S. S. Valor official horse profile
- Click here for the full pedigree profile