BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his inaugural Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not quite as strong as they previously were.
In the first edition of this blog for the 2026 run for the roses, the focus is on what has changed since the start of the new year.
The first marquee graded stakes of the year is set for Saturday at Gulfstream Park, when the 10th annual Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes will be held. The Pegasus was formerly named the Donn Handicap and was re-envisioned in 2017 as an early-season, invitation-only showcase for older horses.
As much as parts of the country is looking at snow and freezing temperatures, the 2026 turf racing season will kick into gear with the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes, the first Grade 1 turf stakes of 2026. With a purse of $1 million on the line, it’s no surprise there’s a field of 12 well-matched turfers, plus one also-eligible entrant.
