In The Money Media is back with a fantasy draft of the 2026 Kentucky Derby runners! Join host PTF alongside broadcaster Michelle Yu, Churchill Downs oddsmaker Nick Tammaro and Fox Sports Chris Fallica as they circle round robin through the field to pick their top choices for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
The field is pretty much set for the First Saturday in May with some noteworthy defections thus far being Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey and Risen Star Stakes winner Paladin. Trainer Brad Cox has the top two runners on the leaderboard with Florida Derby winner Commandment, giving Cox a repeat win in the Florida Derby after his runner Tappan Street bested eventual 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, and Blue Grass Stakes winner Further Ado. Todd Pletcher eyes another win in the Run for the Roses, and a first for business magnate Mike Repole, with Arkansas Derby winner Renegade. A rare runner not from Bob Baffert emerged as victor of the Santa Anita Derby with Mark Glatt’s pupil So Happy fronting the California charge while the precocious Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market currently sits eighth on the leaderboard, with the Kentucky Derby likely to be just the third start in his career.
Other runners currently slated for the Kentucky Derby include: Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort Florida Derby runner-up The Puma Southwest Stakes champ Silent Tactic Wood Memorial winner Albus Santa Anita Derby runner-up Potente (trained by one Mr. Bob Baffert) Louisiana Derby runner-up Pavlovian, Wood Memorial runner-up Right To Party (conditioned by Ken McPeek, trainer of 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan) Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt Lecomte Stakes winner Golden Tempo Blue Grass Stakes runner-up Ottinho Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up Stark Contrast Gotham Stakes winner Iron Honor and Florida Derby third-place finisher Chief Wallabee, trained by last year’s winning Kentucky Derby trainer Bill Mott. Not to mention the foreign invaders to this year’s Kentucky Derby, which currently includes Danon Bourbon from Japan, UAE Derby winner Wonder Dean and UAE 2000 Guineas winner Six Speed.
