The Road to the Kentucky Derby hits a brief pause at the top this week.
While last weekend delivered major prep action across the country, none of it was enough to shake up the Racing Dudes Top 10, as the leading contenders all held their ground heading into the next critical stretch of the prep season.
With several 100-point Derby preps looming, including the Louisiana Derby this weekend, the current group of contenders now turns its focus toward races that will ultimately decide who makes the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
For now, the rankings remain unchanged — but likely not for long.
As official voters in the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll, below is the updated Racing Dudes consensus Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders, combining the ballots from myself and Aaron Halterman.
🥇 1. Commandment
There’s still no debate at the top.
Commandment continues to hold the #1 spot on both ballots after his dominant victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). The colt has shown the ability to sit just off the pace, finish strongly, and handle distance — a combination that makes him the most complete horse on the trail right now.
Jared Rank: 1
Aaron Rank: 1
Next Start: Florida Derby (Probable)
🥈 2. Chief Wallabee
Chief Wallabee remains locked into the #2 spot after his strong runner-up finish behind Commandment.
The Bill Mott trainee continues to show consistency and improvement, and there’s a strong case that his best race is still ahead of him as distances increase.
Jared Rank: 2
Aaron Rank: 2
Next Start: Florida Derby (Probable)
🥉 3. Paladin
Paladin continues to sit firmly inside the top tier after his Risen Star Stakes (G2) victory.
Aaron still has him ranked slightly higher than I, but we both agree he’s one of the most reliable and proven horses on the Derby trail with distance and class already checked off.
Jared Rank: 5
Aaron Rank: 3
Next Start: Blue Grass Stakes (Probable)
4. Class President
Class President holds steady after his gritty Rebel Stakes (G2) victory at Oaklawn Park.
That performance showed toughness and determination — two traits you want to see this time of year — and keeps him firmly among the top contenders.
Jared Rank: 3
Aaron Rank: 6
Next Start: Blue Grass Stakes (Possible)
5. Nearly
Nearly remains one of the more intriguing horses in the group.
His earlier Holy Bull Stakes (G3) win showed serious upside, and while he hasn’t run recently, both ballots keep him right in the mix as a major Derby threat.
Jared Rank: 6
Aaron Rank: 4
Next Start: Florida Derby (Probable)
6. Silent Tactic
Silent Tactic continues to hold position after a strong Rebel Stakes effort where he finished a close second.
With a Southwest Stakes (G3) win already on his résumé, he’s proven he belongs with the top tier and just needs another big effort in his next prep.
Jared Rank: 4
Aaron Rank: 7
Next Start: Arkansas Derby (Probable)
7. Renegade
Renegade stays right in the middle of the rankings after his earlier prep success.
While others around him have taken bigger swings recently, his consistency keeps him firmly inside the Top 10.
Jared Rank: 7
Aaron Rank: 5
Next Start: Arkansas Derby (Probable)
8. The Puma
The Puma remains one of the biggest risers from last week after his Tampa Bay Derby (G3) victory.
That performance proved he belongs at this level, and now the focus shifts to whether he can back it up in his next start against deeper competition.
Jared Rank: 9
Aaron Rank: 8
Next Start: Florida Derby (Possible), Blue Grass Stakes (Possible)
9. Potente
Potente also holds his spot after a breakout win in the San Felipe Stakes (G2).
Still lightly raced, the Bob Baffert trainee has massive upside and could take another big step forward with more experience.
Jared Rank: 8
Aaron Rank: 10
Next Start: Santa Anita Derby (Possible)
10. Further Ado
Rounding out the list is Further Ado, who continues to quietly put together a solid Derby campaign.
He may not have the flashiest win yet, but his consistency and point accumulation keep him firmly in the conversation.
Jared Rank: 10
Aaron Rank: 9
Next Start: Blue Grass Stakes (Probable)
One Notable Omission: Incredibolt
One of the most interesting storylines this week isn’t who’s in the Racing Dudes Top 10 — it’s who isn’t.
Incredibolt, the impressive winner of the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, was the only horse in this week’s NTRA Top 10 that neither of us ranked.
The Riley Mott trainee delivered a strong performance, winning by four lengths and earning 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, which was enough to vault him into the national Top 10.
Still, despite the breakout effort, we both opted to keep our current Top 10 intact this week, prioritizing horses who have already proven themselves against deeper fields or across multiple prep races.
That said — with another strong effort, Incredibolt could force his way onto both ballots very soon.
Waiting for the Big Moves
This week may not have brought changes to the rankings, but that’s about to change.
With the next wave of major Derby preps approaching, including races that offer 100 qualifying points to the winner, the current order is far from locked in.
In other words — this calm won’t last long.
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