Welcome to the 2020 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse. You can also visit our Kentucky Derby page for loads of information, including the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more!
Though the Kentucky Derby moved to Saturday, September 5, we’ll still come at you with updates along the way, as well as the latest news on the race. Here’s our latest Top 20 after the fall out from the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) and Haskell Stakes (G1):
1. Tiz the Law
Derby Points/Rank: 272 – 1st
Race Record: (6) 5-0-1
Earnings: $1,480,300
Breeding: Constitution – Tizfiz (Tiznow)
Owner: Sackatoga Stable
Trainer: Barcaly Tagg
Last Race: 1st, Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike
Analysis: He left no doubts in his dominating Belmont Stakes (G1) performance, which has him on well on his way to being the favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1). There don’t seem to be many horses pointing for the Travers Stakes (G1) who can beat him, so expect his hype to continue all the way up to the first Saturday in September.
2. Honor A. P.
Derby Points/Rank: 120 – 3rd
Race Record: (4) 2-2-0
Earnings: $362,200
Breeding: Honor Code – Hollywood Story (Wild Rush)
Owner: C R K Stable LLC
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last Race: 1st, Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White and Ryan Stillman
Analysis: His Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory was ultra-impressive and made him the logical challenger to Tiz the Law for early favoritism in the Derby. He will continue to flourish as the distances get longer and his solid turn of foot will be tough to hold off on that long Churchill Downs stretch. Trainer John Shirreffs will have him ready to pop with a monster race when the big day is finally here.
3. Uncle Chuck
Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 23rd
Race Record: (2) 2-0-0
Earnings: $120,000
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Forest Music (Unbridled’s Song)
Owner: Karl Watson, Michael Pegram, and Paul Weitman
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: 1st, Los Alamitos Derby (G3) at Los Alamitos
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman
Analysis: His big Los Alamitos Derby (G3) win was expected, but he needed that victory to put himself in contention to make the Derby. He has plenty of options for his final prep, but one big thing that he needs to correct is changing his leads and staying on the right one in the stretch – he has not done both in either start. The Travers Stakes (G1) could be next for this colt, who Bob Baffert recently compared to Arrogate.
4. Art Collector
Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 5th
Race Record: (8) 4-1-0
Earnings: $548,475
Breeding: Bernardini – Distorted Legacy (Distorted Humor)
Owner: Bruce Lunsford
Trainer: Tom Drury, Jr.
Last Race: 1st, Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: There is no doubt he is the real deal now after an impressive win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2). He earned a 102 Beyer speed figure for the win, which gives him back to back triple digit numbers. This could be the “now” colt heading into the Derby.
5. King Guillermo
Derby Points/Rank: 90 – 6th
Race Record: (5) 2-1-1
Earnings: $340,350
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Slow Sand (Dixieland Band)
Owner: Victoria’s Ranch
Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila
Last Race: 2nd, Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Austin and Evil Steveil
Analysis: It’s funny that we were all skeptical of this horse after he won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2); however, now we all believe in him after losing division 2 of the Arkansas Derby (G1). His loss showed that he can repeat that top effort, though, when finishing a solid second to the powerful Nadal. We now know to take this horse very seriously moving forward; however, it would be nice to see him in a race before the Kentucky Derby, which doesn’t seem to be the plan.
6. Authentic
Derby Points/Rank: 200 – 2nd
Race Record: (5) 4-1-0
Earnings: $1,011,200
Breeding: Into Mischief – Flawless (Mr. Greeley)
Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Frederick Hertrich, John Fielding, and Golconda Stabels
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: 1st, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: There is no doubt this colt has great ability; however, he just don’t looked to be suited for the Kentucky Derby distance. He looked to be ready to dominated the Haskell Stakes (G1), but slow down significantly in the stretch, almost losing to Ny Traffic. Regardless, he’s proven his class with three stakes victories this season.
7. Ny Traffic
Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 4th
Race Record: (9) 2-3-2
Earnings: $565,470
Breeding: Cross Traffic – Mamie Reilly (Graeme Hall)
Owner: John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Last Race: 2nd, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector
Analysis: This horse is consistently showing up with big efforts everywhere he’s entered, while slowly improving with each start. He nearly caught Authentic at the wire in the Haskell Stakes (G1), coming up just a bit short. He could be an underneath factor in the Derby at a nice price if he keeps progressing.
8. Dr Post
Derby Points/Rank: 80 – 7th
Race Record: (5) 2-1-1
Earnings: $361,635
Breeding: Quality Road – Mary Delaney (Hennessy)
Owner: St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: 3rd, Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike
Analysis: There is no way around it, he came up flat in the Haskell Stakes (G1), which was a winnable race for him. This was the first real setback of his career, after he had been progressing nicely with each start before his last race. He’ll need to rebound in a major way to make an impact in the Derby.
9. Max Player
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 15th
Race Record: (4) 2-1-1
Earnings: $273,500
Breeding: Honor Code – Fools in Love (Not For Love)
Owner: George Hall
Trainer: Linda Rice
Last Race: 3rd, Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “Wise Dan” Waite
Analysis: It was nice to see him back from a long layoff after winning the Withers Stakes (G3) all the way back in February. He ran well to finish third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and should improve next time out.
10. Sole Volante
Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 20th
Race Record: (7) 4-1-1
Earnings: $323,310
Breeding: Karakontie – Light Blow (Kingmambo)
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone, and Limelight Stable Corp.
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Last Race: 6th, Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Real Dynasty
Analysis: His Belmont Stakes (G1) no-show is a total head scratcher; he had plenty of pace to run into and was entering the event in great form. We’ll give him a pass for now, but he has to run better in his next start.
11. Enforceable
Derby Points/Rank: 43 – 12th
Race Record: (10) 2-2-2
Earnings: $397,150
Breeding: Tapit – Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union)
Owner: John Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last Race: 4th, Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike
Analysis: At this point he has proven to be a useful horse; however, he doesn’t seem like a win contender for a big time race. He is strictly a “hit the board” type that makes one run down the lane and passes tired horses.
12. Cezanne
Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR
Race Record: (2) 2-0-0
Earnings: $57,000
Breeding: Curlin – Achieving (Bernardini)
Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: 1st, Allowance at Los Alamitos
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow
Analysis: His Los Alamitos allowance victory was a little disappointing, which is why he has fallen down the rankings. He now needs to finish first or second in a major points race just to make the Derby. It will be interesting to see where Baffert sends him next because as of now, he doesn’t seem to be ready to win a big-time race.
13. Pneumatic
Derby Points/Rank: 25 – 22nd
Race Record: (4) 2-0-1
Earnings: $166,850
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Teardrop (Tapit)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last Race: 4th, Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: It’s clear that he has some talent, but he isn’t elite. Twice now, he’s looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, only to flatten out down the lane. He still has a solid shot to make his way into the Kentucky Derby, though, which is why he remains on the rankings.
14. Rushie
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – NR
Race Record: (6) 2-1-2
Earnings: $189,351
Breeding: Liam’s Map – Conquest Angel (Colonel John)
Owner: Jim and Donna Daniell
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last Race: 3rd, Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Real Dynasty
Analysis: After back to back third place efforts in Derby preps, this horse has earned his way into the field, but must be a late nomination. It’s likely his connections will do just that; however, he has a little ways to go before he can be considered a win contender.
15. Major Fed
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 16th
Race Record: (6) 1-2-1
Earnings: $215,600
Breeding: Ghostzapper – Bobby’s Babe (Smart Strike)
Owner: Lloyd Madison Farms IV, LLC
Trainer: Gregory Foley
Last Race: 2nd, Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Brandon “B$” Bauer
Analysis: This horse has made his way into the Kentucky Derby starting gate after a few on the board efforts in prep events. Last time out, he came with a strong run down the lane, finishing second in the Indiana Derby (G3).
16. Country Grammer
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 11th
Race Record: (5) 2-0-1
Earnings: $117,320
Breeding: Tonalist – Arabian Song (Forestry)
Owner: Paul P. Pompa Jr.
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: 1st, Peter Pan Stakes (G1) at Saratoga
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector
Analysis: This colt arrived on the scene with a determined win in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3). He is not a flashy colt; however, his grind it out style should suit him well as the distances get longer. There is some interest with him going forward.
17. Ete Indien
Derby Points/Rank: 74 – 8th
Race Record: (7) 3-1-1
Earnings: $407,406
Breeding: Summer Front – East India (Mizzen Mast)
Owner: Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable Inc., Horse France America, D P Racing LLC (Deron Pearson) & Patrick L. Biancone Racing LLC
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Last Race: 4th, Allowance Race at Gulfstream Park
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch
Analysis: Nothing went his way in the Florida Derby (G1), but he still showed a lot of heart to finish third. Unfortunately, he was a no-show in a recent allowance race at Gulfstream Park, so he’ll need to show a big turnaround next time out to prove that he isn’t tailing off. He missed a start in the Haskell Stakes (G1) due to a minor setback.
18. Caracaro
Derby Points/Rank: 20 – 26th
Race Record: (3) 1-2-0
Earnings: $53,800
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Peace Time (War Front)
Owner: Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing LLC
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Last Race: 2nd, Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Saratoga
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow
Analysis: A wide trip cost him a victory in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3); however, it was still a pretty nice runner up effort after being away from the track for six months. He should only improve next time out, which makes him an interesting prospect. It will be interesting to see where they run him next.
19. Thousand Words
Derby Points/Rank: 33 – 18th
Race Record: (6) 3-1-0
Earnings: $267,000
Breeding: Pioneerof the Nile – Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy)
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Spendthrift Farm LLC
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: 2nd, Los Alamitos Derby at Los Alamitos
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Paul “Free Beers” Withrow
Analysis: He’s earned his way into the Derby based on points; however, his last few races have not been what you’d like to see. The Los Alamitos Derby (G3) runner-up finish was an improvement, but he still has a long way to go.
20. Modernist
Derby Points/Rank: 70 – 9th
Race Record: (7) 2-0-2
Earnings: $417,800
Breeding: Uncle Mo – Symbolic Gesture (Bernardini)
Owner: Pam and Martin Wygood
Trainer: Bill Mott
Last Race: 5th, Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Saratoga
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Magic Mike
Analysis: He remains ranked based on his points. This colt has fallen off form in a major way, so at this point he does not look like a Kentucky Derby contender in the least bit.
