Where 2026 Kentucky Derby contenders were born, and how they made it to Churchill Downs
The road to the Kentucky Derby, the biggest race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in America, if not the world, starts right here in the Bluegrass.
Kentucky is not the “Horse Capital of the World” because the Kentucky Derby just happens to be here.
It’s the horse capital of the world because almost all the contenders for this signature American classic are born, bred and raised in the commonwealth — most right around Lexington.
In 2023, the year that the 2026 contenders were born, 7,872 of the 16,780 U.S. foals were born in Kentucky — 47% of the total U.S. foal crop.
This year, all but two of the 20 horses scheduled to run in the Derby were born on Central Kentucky’s storied horse farms.
Here’s a rundown of all the horse farms that nurtured Saturday’s runners, listed in post-position order with morning-line odds:
1. RENEGADE (4-1)
Foaled: Jan. 25, 2023, at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Ky.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher.
Owner: Robert & Lawana L. Low and Repole Stable (Mike Repole).
Breeder: Robert Low & Lawana Low.
Sire: Into Mischief.
Dam: Spice is Nice, by Curlin.
Record: Two firsts, two seconds and one third in five starts, 125 Derby points.
Notes: Won the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn and was second in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct.
2. ALBUS (30-1)
Foaled: May 15, 2023, at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky.
Jockey: Manny Franco.
Trainer: Riley Mott.
Owner: Pin Oak Stud (Dana Bernhard).
Breeder: Susan Casner.
Sire: Yaupon.
Dam: Adream, by Bernardini.
Record: Two firsts and one third in four starts, 100 Derby points.
Notes: Won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
3. INTREPIDO (50-1)
Foaled: April 16, 2023, at Sierra Fria Farm in Midway, Ky.
Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios.
Trainer: Jeff Mullins.
Owner: Dutch Girl Holdings (Michele Arthur) and Irving Ventures (Ruben Isla).
Breeder: Sierra Fria Farm.
Sire: Maximus Mischief.
Dam: Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect.
Record: Two firsts and one second in six starts, 38 Derby points.
Notes: Fourth in Santa Anita Derby, second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, both at Santa Anita, fifth in the Breeders’ Cub Juvenile at Del Mar and first in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita.
4. LITMUS TEST (30-1)
Foaled: April 13, 2023, at Machmer Hall in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Martin Garcia.
Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Owner: SF Racing (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf, et al), Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin), Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke), Bashor Racing (Dianne Bashor), Determined Stables (Matt Dorman), Golconda Stable (Ben Goldberg), Waves Edge Capital (W. Gregg Slager) and Catherine Donovan.
Breeder: Machmer Hall.
Sire: Nyquist.
Dam: Study Hard, by Malibu Moon.
Record: Two firsts and two thirds in seven starts, 34 Derby points.
Notes: Seventh in the Arkansas Derby, third in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, first in the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, third in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland and fourth in the Del Mar Futurity.
5. RIGHT TO PARTY (30-1)
Foaled: April 20, 2023, at Norevale Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Christopher Elliott.
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek.
Owner: Chester Broman Sr.
Breeder: Tony Holmes & Timothy C. Thornton.
Sire: Constitution.
Dam: Havin’ A Party, by Emcee.
Record: One first, one second and two thirds in four starts, 65 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the Wood Memorial Stakes and third in the Gotham Stakes, both at Aqueduct.
6. COMMANDMENT (6-1)
Foaled: Feb. 23, 2023, at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Ky.
Jockey: Luis Saez.
Trainer: Brad H. Cox.
Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tameem Binhamad KH H All-Thani.)
Breeder: Lee Pokoik.
Sire: Into Mischief.
Dam: Sippican Harbor, by Orb.
Record: Four firsts in five starts, 150 Derby points.
Notes: Won Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth Stakes.
7. DANON BOURBON (20-1)
Foaled: April 6, 2023, at Blue Heaven Farm in Versailles. J
ockey: Atsuya Nishimura.
Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe.
Owner: Danox Co. Ltd.
Breeder: Blue Heaven Farm.
Sire: Maxfield.
Dam: Wild Ridge, by Tapit.
Record: Three firsts in three starts, 40 Derby points.
Notes: Won the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama.
8. SO HAPPY (15-1)
Foaled: April 26, 2023, at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Mike E. Smith.
Trainer: Mark Glatt.
Owner: Norman Stables (Robbie Norman) and Saints or Sinners (Hans & Ana Maron).
Breeder: Leverett S. Miller.
Sire: Runhappy.
Dam: So Cunning, by Blame.
Record: Three firsts and one third in four starts, 115 Derby points.
Notes: First in the Santa Anita Derby, third in San Felipe Stakes and first in San Vicente Stakes, all at Santa Anita.
9. THE PUMA (10-1)
Foaled: Feb. 7, 2023, at Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Javier Castellano.
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.
Owner: OGMA Investments (Gustavo Delgado), JR Ranch (Jose Aguirre) and High Step Racing (Randy Guy), Tcc Stables (Michael A. Iavarone) and Bruce Zoldan.
Breeder: Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn.
Sire: Essential Quality.
Dam: Eve of War, by Declaration of War.
Record: One first, two seconds and one third in four starts, 106 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the Florida Derby and won the Tampa Bay Derby.
10. WONDER DEAN (30-1)
Foaled: March 25, 2023, in Japan.
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai.
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi.
Owner: Yoshinari Yamamoto.
Breeder: Yoshinari Yamamoto.
Sire: Dee Majesty.
Dam: Wonder Siang Praw, by Wonder Acute.
Record: Two firsts and two second in six starts, 106 Derby points.
Notes: First in the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse and fourth in the Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
11. INCREDIBOLT (20-1)
Foaled: April 4, 2023, at Burleson Farms in Midway, Ky.
Jockey: Jaime A. Torres.
Trainer: Riley Mott.
Owner: Pin Oak Stud (Dana Bernhard.)
Breeder: Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM.
Sire: Bolt D’Oro.
Dam: Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again.
Record: Three firsts in five starts, 60 Derby points.
Notes: First in Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, sixth in Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream and first in Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs.
12. CHIEF WALLABEE (8-1)
Foaled: Feb. 6, 2023, at Donamire Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado.
Trainer: William I. Mott.
Owner: Michael Ball and Katherine G. Ball.
Breeder: Michael Ball and Katherine G. Ball.
Sire: Constitution.
Dam: A La Lucie, by Medaglia d’Oro.
Record: One first, one second and one third in three starts, 50 Derby points.
Notes: Third in the Florida Derby and second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park.
13. SILENT TACTIC (20-1)
Foaled: April 1, 2023, at Don Alberto Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres.
Trainer: Mark E. Casse.
Owner: John C. Oxley.
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation.
Sire: Tacitus.
Dam: Magical Sign, by Gun Runner.
Record: Two firsts, four seconds in six starts, 100 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the Arkansas Derby, second in the Rebel Stakes and first in the Southwest Stakes, all at Oaklawn Park.
14. POTENTE (20-1)
Foaled: March 28, 2023, at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky.
Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez.
Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Owner: Speedway Stables (Peter Fluor & K.C. Weiner).
Breeder: Pam & Martin Wygod.
Sire: Into Mischief.
Dam: Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again.
Record: Two firsts and one second in three starts, 100 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the Santa Anita Derby and first in the San Felipe Stakes.
15. EMERGING MARKET (15-1)
Foaled: April 7, 2023, at Stoneriggs Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Flavien Prat.
Trainer: Chad C. Brown.
Owner: Klaravich Stables Inc.
Breeder: Stoneriggs Farm.
Sire: Candy Ride.
Dam: Wild Empress, by Empire Maker.
Record: Two firsts in two starts, 100 Derby points.
Notes: Won the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.
16. PAVLOVIAN (30-1)
Foaled: April 8, 2023, in California.
Jockey: Edwin A. Maldonado.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill.
Owner: Reddam Racing (J. Paul Reddam).
Breeder: Reddam Racing.
Sire: Pavel.
Dam: Mandy’s Grace, by Bellamy Road.
Record: Two firsts, four seconds and one third in 10 starts, 70 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, first in the Sunland Park Derby and second in the Best Pal Stakes.
17. SIX SPEED (50-1)
Foaled: April 12, 2023, at KatieRich Farms in Midway, Ky.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Bhupat Seemar.
Owner: Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds (Jake Ballis), Steve Adkisson, Swinbank Stables (Regan Swinbank).
Breeder: KatieRich Farms.
Sire: Not This Time.
Dam: Browse, by Medaglia D’Oro.
Record: Three firsts, one second and one third in five starts, 80 Derby points.
Notes: Second in the UAE Derby and first in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas, both at Meydan Racecourse.
18. FURTHER ADO (6-1)
Foaled: March 15, 2023, at Fawn Leap Farm near Midway, Ky.
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Brad H. Cox.
Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric P. Gustavson.)
Breeder: John C. Oxley.
Sire: Gun Runner.
Dam: Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa.
Record: Three firsts, one second and one third in six starts, 135 Derby points.
Notes: Won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, second in Tampa Bay Derby and won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.
19. GOLDEN TEMPO (30-1)
Foaled: Feb. 7, 2023, at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz.
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux.
Owner: Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola).
Breeder: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables.
Sire: Curlin.
Dam: Carrumba, by Bernardini.
Record: Two firsts and two thirds in four starts, 60 Derby points.
Notes: Third in the Louisiana Derby and third in the Risen Star Stakes, first in Lecomte Stakes, all at Fair Grounds.
20. FULLEFFORT (20-1)
Foaled: April 26, 2023, at Athens Woods Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Brad H. Cox.
Owner: St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing.
Breeder: Athens Woods.
Sire: Liam’s Map.
Dam: Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again.
Record: Three firsts, two seconds and one third in seven starts, 110 Derby points.
Notes: First in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park and second in John Battaglia Memorial Stakes.
Also eligible
21. GREAT WHITE (50-1)
Foaled: May 14, 2023, at Three Chimneys Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Jockey: Alex Achard.
Trainer: John Ennis.
Owner: Three Chimneys Farm (Goncarlo B. Torrealba) & John Ennis.
Breeder: Stud TNT LLC.
Sire: Volatile.
Dam: Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo.
Record: Two firsts in four starts, 30 Derby points.
Notes: Fifth in Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, first in John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway.
22. OCELLI (50-1)
Foaled: Feb. 27, 2023, at Rosecrest Farm in Paris, Ky.
Jockey: Joe Ramos.
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman.
Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate & Front Page Equestrian (Kevin Page).
Breeder: Rosedown Racing Stables
Sire: Connect.
Dam: Zalia, by Scat Daddy.
Record: One second and three thirds in six starts, 25 Derby points.
Notes: Third in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, sixth in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs and sixth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay.
23. ROBUSTA (50-1)
Foaled: March 24, 2023 at Calumet Farm in Lexington.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo.
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill.
Owner: Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley.)
Breeder: Calumet Farm.
Sire: Accelerate.
Dam: Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief.
Record: One first and one second in five starts, 25 Derby points.
Notes: Seventh in the Santa Anita Derby, second in the San Felipe Stakes and sixth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, all at Santa Anita.
24. CORONA DE ORO (50-1)
Foaled: March 10, 2023, at Timber Town Stables in Lexington
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart.
Owner: On Our Own Stable (D. Berman et al), Commonwealth Stable (S. Samsel), U Racing Stables (Jeff Lifson), Saints or Sinners (Hans & Ana Maron), Titletown Racing (P. Farr), Jim Nichols, Edwin S. Barker, Daniel Rivers, John Haines & Dallas Stewart.
Breeder: Willow Oaks Stable.
Sire: Bolt D’Oro.
Dam: Lemon De Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid.
Record: One first, one second and two thirds in five starts, 6 Derby points.
Notes: Third in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
