***Updated with post positions, morning-line odds, and scratches

With the qualifying races now complete, points tabulated, and the leaderboard finalized, the prospective field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is coming into sharper focus.

The top 20 are guaranteed a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 2. Those just below the cutoff, the horses on “the bubble,” will need defections in order to move up in the standings.

Of the top 20, 17 are the leading points earners on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby. If horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is non-restricted stakes earnings. Up to three slots are reserved for international qualifiers – the top two from the Euro/Mideast Road and one invitee from the Japan Road. 

Brad Cox, who trained promoted Derby winner Mandaloun (2021), has three of the top five on the leaderboard. His Commandment ranks as the overall points leader with 150, closely followed by stablemate Further Ado, second on the list with 135 points, and Fulleffort sits in fifth with 110 points.

Todd Pletcher bids for his third Derby trophy with Renegade (125 points), who rocketed to favoritism in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Bob Baffert seeks a record-breaking seventh victory with Potente (100 points), and Doug O’Neill relies on Pavlovian (70 points) for number three. Other Derby-winning horsemen with 2026 qualifiers are Gustavo Delgado, who sends out his namesake The Puma (106 points), and Kenny McPeek, who returns with Right to Party (65 points). 

Mark Casse again tries to join the club, this time with Silent Tactic (100 points). Chad Brown, also seeking his Derby breakthrough, has a trio safely in the field. But Emerging Market (100 points) is his only confirmed starter, while Ottinho (56 points) and Iron Honor (50) may opt to go elsewhere. 

April 18 update: Ottinho has been withdrawn from consideration. 
April 21 update: Iron Honor has been ruled out as well.

Michael McCarthy has similarly intimated that Stark Contrast (50 points) is likely to go to the American Turf (G1) on the undercard. 

April 23 update: Stark Contrast was officially declared out of the Derby in favor of the American Turf. 

Two-time Derby winner Bill Mott got his wish for Chief Wallabee to get into the field. Mott’s son, Riley, is already set for his Derby debut as a trainer with Albus (100 points) and Incredibolt (60 points). 

So Happy (115 points) will be Mark Glatt’s first Derby starter, and Cherie deVaux likewise will make her first Derby attempt with Golden Tempo (60 points). 

Chip Honcho, for some time on the bubble list, was in the main body of the field until draw day, when the Steve Asmussen trainee was rerouted to the Preakness. 

The one-two from the UAE Derby (G2), Japan’s Wonder Dean and Dubai-based Six Speed, garnered the Euro/Mideast Road tickets, and Danon Bourbon booked his ticket via the Japan Road.

The draw for the 152nd Kentucky Derby took place on April 25, one week ahead of the Run for the Roses. The maximum number of 24 horses entered, including four also-eligibles.

Here is the final field after scratch time at 9 a.m. ET May 1:

Field for 152nd Kentucky Derby 

Also-eligibles, in order of preference

Scratch time for the Derby is Friday morning, so defections had to come by then to open up any spot in the starting gate for the also-eligibles. 

One was left on the also-eligible list after Great White (No. 21) drew into the field on Wednesday, Ocelli (No. 22) got in on Thursday, and Robusta (No. 23) moved up just ahead of the deadline Friday. 

No. 24 Corona de Oro (6 points)

Lexington (G3) third was added to the also-eligible entries on draw day.

Owners: On Our Own Stable, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing et al.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Pedigree: Bolt d'Oro-Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid