Welcome to the 2018 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, our Derby Trail Tracker, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more!
1. McKinzie
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 7th
Race Record: (4) 3-1-0
Earnings: $350,000
Breeding: Street Sense – Runway Model
Owner: Watson, Pegram, and Weitman
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 2nd (via DQ)
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman
Analysis: A wild weekend at Santa Anita was highlighted by an incredible stretch duel between McKinzie and Bolt d’Oro in the the San Felipe. McKinzie was able to just edge clear of Bolt d’Oro at the wire, but he was later disqualified to second. McKinzie remains our number horse even with the loss, as the disqualification was questionable. All of the drama aside, McKinzie’s fight was very impressive, as he was headed at the top of the stretch but still battled back when he looked defeated. At this point, these two horses seem to be well clear of the others.
2. Bolt d’Oro
Derby Points/Rank: 64 – 1st
Race Record: (5) 4-0-1
Earnings: $816,000
Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – Globe Trot
Owner: Ruis Racing LLC
Trainer: Mick Ruis
Last Race: Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, Finished 1st (via DQ)
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector
Analysis: He was incredible in his 3-year-old debut, the San Felipe, even though he hit the wire just behind McKinzie. The move this horse made on the turn was ultra-impressive, especially so considering it was off of a layoff. Moving forward, he looks to be the real deal and has carried his great 2-year-old form into this season flawlessly. The racing world would love to see our top two horses square off once again after they lit a fire under the Kentucky Derby prep season.
3. Audible
Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 22nd
Race Record: (4) 3-0-1
Earnings: $287,720
Breeding: Into Mischief – Blue Devil Bel
Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Mike “Saratoga Slim” Spector
Analysis: After facing lessor competition at Aqueduct, it was questionable how he would handle the jump up in class, but he passed the test with flying colors, bursting onto the scene with a major score in the Holy Bull. He now has to be considered a serious player and is perhaps Pletcher’s best prospect at the moment.
4. Good Magic
Derby Points/Rank: 34 – 8th
Race Record: (4) 1-2-1
Earnings: $1,225,000
Breeding: Curlin – Glinda the Good
Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward
Analysis: Uh oh… the Juvenile champion returned in the Fountain of Youth, but he looked far from a champion. After stalking the pace in perfect position, he was empty when turning for home and finished a distant third. He ran like a horse that was not 100% primed, so perhaps he’ll bounce back in his next start, which will likely be in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes.
5. Magnum Moon
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 5th
Race Record: (3) 3-0-0
Earnings: $577,800
Breeding: Malibu Moon – Dazzling Song
Owner: Robert and Lawana Low
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward
Analysis: He proved that he was for real with a dominating performance in the Rebel over a deep field. He’s progressing almost identically to that of Always Dreaming last year, and he’s yet to be close to losing a race. The waters will only get deeper from here, but so far, he’s passed every test with flying colors. He’s a legitimate contender.
6. Solomini
Derby Points/Rank: 34 – 9th
Race Record: (5) 1-3-1
Earnings: $652,000
Breeding: Curlin – Surf Song
Owner: Zayat Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch
Analysis: He performed very well off of the bench in the Rebel, finishing second despite having a poor trip, especially on the turn heading for home. He’s a hard-trying horse that you can count on to give a solid effort each and every time. He’ll likely improve off of that effort in his next start and is a prime contender as we head into the last round of preps.
7. Catholic Boy
Derby Points/Rank: 14 – 18th
Race Record: (5) 3-1-0
Earnings: $354,000
Breeding: More Than Ready – Song 0f Bernadette
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Last Race: Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Dan “The Fan Man” Waite
Analysis: He made his 2018 debut in the Sam F. Davis, and while he didn’t run poorly, it was disappointing that he couldn’t pass Flameaway in the stretch and had to settle for second. There’s still reason to be optimistic, but he must improve in his next race, which looks like the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
8. Bravazo
Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 3rd
Race Record: (7) 3-1-1
Earnings: $426,528
Breeding: Awesome Again – Tiz o’ Gold
Owner: Calumet Farm
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: The Coach is back in the Derby! Bravazo shipped to Fair Grounds for the Risen Star and pulled off a 21-1 upset over a field loaded with Kentucky Derby prospects. The Awesome Again colt has developed greatly as a 3-year-old. He’s now two-for-two in 2018 and has his sights set on this weekend’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
9. Instilled Regard
Derby Points/Rank: 19 – 17th
Race Record: (6) 2-2-1
Earnings: $244,000
Breeding: Arch – Enhancing
Owner: OXO Equine
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 4th
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: His fourth-place effort in the Risen Star left a lot to be desired, but it wasn’t enough to remove him from the rankings completely. He seemed a little dull in the race, but he still managed to run well enough to be close to the leaders in the end. Perhaps shipping back and forth multiple times between Fair Grounds and his base in California took its toll on him.
10. Justify
Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR
Race Record: (2) 2-0-0
Earnings: $66,000
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Stage Magic
Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Allowance Race at Santa Anita, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jared Welch
Analysis: Right now, I’m trying to stay as grounded as possible with a horse that looks to be an absolute freak of nature. He is two-for-two and has been about as impressive as a horse can be, but he has several factors working against him as far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned. Namely, can he break the Curse of Apollo?
11. Snapper Sinclair
Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 14th
Race Record: (6) 2-1-1
Earnings: $352,360
Breeding: City Zip – True Addiction
Owner: Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffery Bloom)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 2nd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: This is one tough colt. He fought on to a solid third-place finish in the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes two races back, then nearly won the Risen Star, losing by a nose while battling Bravazo all the way down the stretch. His early speed and staying power will make him tough in this weekend’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
12. Noble Indy
Derby Points/Rank: 10 – 26th
Race Record: (3) 2-0-1
Earnings: $91,600
Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Noble Maz
Owner: WinStar Farm and Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: The Risen Star was a solid first try for him against stakes company. He ran well to finish third while up against a small track bias, and he has a right to improve as he goes forward. Now he must show one more jump up in improvement as he tries to take the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby this weekend.
13. Combatant
Derby Points/Rank: 22 – 13th
Race Record: (6) 1-3-1
Earnings: $338,550
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Border Dispute
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last Race: Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Aaron Halterman
Analysis: The Lookin At Lee of 2018 continued on a similar path in the Rebel, finishing third. He’s hit the board in four straight Kentucky Derby prep races, but he just can’t seem to have things go his way enough to pick up a win. His Rebel effort was another positive start, though, and he should continue to make an impact along the Kentucky Derby trail.
14. Promises Fulfilled
Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 4th
Race Record: (4) 3-0-1
Earnings: $327,280
Breeding: Shackleford – Marquee Delivery
Owner: Robert J. Baron
Trainer: Dale Romans
Last Race: Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: He pulled off a shocking 18-1 upset over champion Good Magic in the Fountain of Youth. The track at Gulfstream Park certainly favored speed, but he reminded me a lot of his sire, Shackleford, by going straight to the front and showing heart to hold on for the victory. He could be an improving horse that’s ready to make some noise this year.
15. Flameaway
Derby Points/Rank: 30 – 10th
Race Record: (8) 5-1-0
Earnings: $504,834
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Vulcan Rose
Owner: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last Race: Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 2nd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes winner backed up that effort with a strong showing in the Tampa Bay Derby. He may not be the strongest horse as far as a win contender, but you have to like how he showed that he could stalk the pace and still come with a nice run in his latest start.
16. Quip
Derby Points/Rank: 50 – 6th
Race Record: (4) 3-0-0
Earnings: $282,800
Breeding: Distorted Humor – Princess Ash
Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Last Race: Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: This son of Distorted Humor is officially into the Kentucky Derby after a shocking upset in the Tampa Bay Derby. The good news is that he should get better in his next start, as his Tampa effort came off of a fairly long layoff. He could move up the rankings if he does indeed improve further.
17. Enticed
Derby Points/Rank: 63 – 2nd
Race Record: (5) 3-0-1
Earnings: $410,680
Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – It’s Tricky
Owner: Godolphin Racing, LLC
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Last Race: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman
Analysis: A tremendous bounce-back race in the Gotham puts him back in contention. That race came at only a mile, though, so we will need to see how he reacts when stretching out in distance before we rank him any higher.
18. Free Drop Billy
Derby Points/Rank: 24 – 12th
Race Record: (7) 2-3-1
Earnings: $525,220
Breeding: Union Rags – Trensa
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Dale Romans
Last Race: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, Finished 3rd
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Jon White/Ryan Stillman
Analysis: The Gotham produced a fairly strange race, as it seemed like several horses did not fire with their best efforts. He will need to rebound in a big way next time out, but there’s reason to believe that he might.
19. My Boy Jack
Derby Points/Rank: 12 – 20th
Race Record: (8) 2-3-1
Earnings: $425,145
Breeding: Creative Cause – Gold N Shaft
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Last Race: Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: He got things exactly like he needed them in the Southwest, as the track at Oaklawn was favoring inside speed. Jockey Kent Desormeaux never left the rail, and My Boy Jack simply crushed them in the stretch. If he can repeat that kind of performance this weekend in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, then we’ll know that he’s for real.
20. Mendelssohn
Derby Points/Rank: 0 – NR
Race Record: (6) 3-1-0
Earnings: $761,137
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Leslie’s Lady
Owner: Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Last Race: Patton Stakes at Dundalk, Finished 1st
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: Curtis “Magic” Kalleward
Analysis: After winning his 3-year-old debut, he’ll now be running in the Group 1 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night. If he can win there, then he is definitely into the Kentucky Derby, but that route usually doesn’t work out very well in terms of coming over here and actually winning the race. However, with this pedigree, it still makes him an intriguing prospect.
