2026 Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Update (Jan 26th)
The Road to the Roses: Mid-Winter Heat Wave
As of January 26th, the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” has shifted into a higher gear. The conclusion of the mid-January stakes has provided a clearer picture of which three-year-olds have successfully transitioned from their juvenile form to become legitimate classic contenders. With several 20-point and 10-point races now in the books, the leaderboard is beginning to reward those with early-season stamina.
For those looking to bet on Kentucky Derby futures, the current standings reveal a mix of established stars and “late bloomers” who have used the first few weeks of the new year to crash the top ten.
Information Updated to January 26th, 2026
Ted Noffey Maintains the Edge
Ted Noffey, the Todd Pletcher trainee, remains the standard-bearer. With 40 points secured primarily through a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he sits at the summit of the American leaderboard. Pletcher’s strategy of keeping the colt active enough to maintain a point cushion while avoiding burnout is working to perfection.
His current Kentucky Derby odds reflect his status as the clear favorite, and he likely only needs one more solid podium finish to mathematically clinch a spot in the starting gate.
The Rise of the International Contenders
The leaderboard now reflects a strong global presence. Hawk Mountain, trained by A.P. O’Brien, and Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, have both secured 20 points, placing them in a statistical tie for the second spot. Additionally, international interest is high with horses like Six Speed (UAE) and Pyromancer (Japan) also holding 20 points in their respective regions, signaling a potentially diverse field for the first Saturday in May.
Official Leaderboard Standings (Top 20)
Position Horse Trainer Points 1 Nearly Todd A. Pletcher 20 2 Golden Tempo Cherie DeVaux 20 3 Litmus Test Bob Baffert 19 4 Chip Honcho Steven M. Asmussen 14 5 Intrepido Jeff Mullins 13 6 Universe Kenneth G. McPeek 13 7 Napoleon Solo Chad Summers 10 8 Further Ado Brad H. Cox 10 9 Express Kid Justin R. Evans 10 10 My World Brad H. Cox 10 11 Strategic Risk Mark E. Casse 10 12 Paladin Chad C. Brown 10 13 Incredibolt Riley Mott 10 14 Mesquite Cherie DeVaux 10 15 Bravaro Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 10 16 Brant Bob Baffert 9 17 Balboa Brittany T. Russell 9 18 Very Connected Kenneth G. McPeek 6 19 Carson Street Brendan P. Walsh 6 20 Project Ace Dale L. Romans 6
The Early February Triple Threat
The next two weeks are pivotal for the “10-point logjam” seen in the middle of the leaderboard. Three key races will offer a total of 60 qualifying points (20 per race distributed to the top five finishers).
1. The Holy Bull Stakes (Gulfstream Park)
Traditionally, the start of the Florida path to the Derby. Watch for Paladin (#17) to potentially use this race to break out of the 10-point tie.
2. The Southwest Stakes (Oaklawn Park)
Arkansas is the “wild card” of the prep season. Spice Runner (#10) looks to build on his 11 points here to move back into the elite top-five bracket.
3. The Withers Stakes (Aqueduct)
Historically favoring “grinders,” this race is a target for Further Ado (#13). His pedigree suggests the 1 1/8 miles will play right into his hands.
The February Firestorm
The leaderboard as of January 26th is the last “quiet” update. Following this upcoming trio of races, the points awarded for major prep races like the Risen Star and the Rebel Stakes will triple. The current strategy for trainers like Brad Cox and Chad Brown is to ensure their 10-point earners are peaking exactly as the point values increase.
Do Not Miss a Single Update on the Road to the Kentucky Derby
The leaderboard you have just reviewed represents only the very beginning of a thrilling, six-month campaign. The points values for the remaining Kentucky Derby prep races will multiply dramatically, with future events awarding 20, 50, and eventually 100 points to the winner. One single victory in a primary race can entirely rewrite this list. Ted Noffey holds the early advantage, but dozens of highly talented colts wait in the wings, ready to make their move.
You need real-time data and expert analysis to stay ahead of the curve, guiding your betting strategies and informing your handicapping decisions. Every primary prep race, every key workout, and every scratch can shift the odds and alter the composition of the final field.
Do not rely on outdated information or generic reports. We continuously track every development on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, providing immediate, deep-dive analysis like this after every single points race. Stay tuned to BUSR News and gain instant access to exclusive expert picks, detailed race breakdowns, and the constantly updated leaderboard.
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