BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
The Sunland Park Derby lost its graded status for 2026 but still offers a half-million-dollar purse and, perhaps more importantly, 42 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve distributed to the top five finishers. This year’s renewal drew a competitive field of 3-year-olds shipping in to New Mexico from all parts of the U.S. It will be televised live Sunday on FanDuel TV.
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 as strong as they previously were. In the second edition of this blog for the 2026 run for the roses, the focus is on what has changed since the previous edition on Jan. 21.
Eight 3-year-old fillies were entered in the Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes and their connections are hoping history repeats itself as last year’s winner, Good Cheer, went on to capture the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The Rachel Alexandra Feb.
