There are a variety of reasons to explain why a long list of outstanding horses were thwarted in their bid to become the 12th Triple Crown champion.
Some are predictable; others are surprising.
Premature moves, exhausting paces, injuries, medications, and even a safety pin have all played a role in a drought that stood at 37 years until American Pharoah completed the sweep in 2015.
The Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is underway, and every Monday through the end of December, Rookie Rankings will analyze potential contenders for the first Saturday in May and rank them in a Top 10 list.
Identifying a Kentucky Derby winner this far in advance isn’t easy. Next year’s Kentucky Derby starters are only 2 years old right now. Seven of the last 10 Derby winners were unraced at this point in their juvenile or “rookie” year, and two others were winless.
Which 2-year-old Thoroughbreds delivered the most impressive performances during the 2026 summer season at Del Mar?
Del Mar’s summer meet often yields serious contenders for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and next year’s Triple Crown races. If the numerous flashy 2-year-old winners we witnessed over the past two months are any indications, that trend will continue.
During two-plus months of exciting summer racing at Saratoga Race Course, we witnessed many talented 2-year-old Thoroughbreds deliver eye-catching victories suggesting they’re serious prospects for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, and 2027 Kentucky Oaks.
Which of these rising stars impressed the most? In reverse order, here’s how we rank the top five 2-year-olds who raced during the 2026 summer at Saratoga:
