Kentucky Derby 2026: Meet Chad Brown's 13 nominees

Chad Brown's 13 Triple Crown nominees represent the Hall of Fame trainer's continued pursuit of his first Kentucky Derby victory. A five-time Eclipse Award winner with two Preakness Stakes victories and 19 Breeders' Cup wins, Brown has a 9: 0-2-1 record in the Derby, finishing second with Good Magic in 2018 and Sierra Leone in 2024 and third with Zandon in 2022. All three won the Blue Grass Stakes before hitting the board at Churchill Downs.

His nominees range from unbeaten Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Paladin, who leads the Kentucky Derby point standings with 60, to maidens still developing their racing foundations. The group features several high-priced yearling purchases running for prominent connections such as Klaravich Stables, the Coolmore partners and Three Chimneys Farm.

On the Derby leaderboard

Paladin by Gun Runner-Secret Sigh, 60 Derby points, 3: 3-0-0 $484K

Paladin captured the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14, extending his record to 3-for-3 with $484,000 in earnings. The $1.9 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase was placed first in his debut at Belmont at Aqueduct on Oct. 17 after the original winner was disqualified, then took the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 by two lengths despite losing a front shoe during the race. His dam, Secret Sigh, is a half-sister to two-time Japanese Grade 1 winner Mozu Ascot and stakes winner Kareena. He is pointed toward the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 4.

Ottinho by Quality Road-Quiet Giant, 6 Derby points, 3: 1-0-2 $81K

Ottinho earned six Derby points with a third-place finish in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 6 after breaking his maiden at Aqueduct in November. The Three Chimneys Farm homebred posted a 106 Horse Racing Nation speed figure in that maiden victory. He is a half-brother to Gun Runner, who earned $15.9 million with multiple Grade 1 victories. He worked four furlongs in 48.7 seconds at Belmont on Jan. 23.

Schoolyardsuperman by Practical Joke-Tizlegal, (4 Derby points), 4: 1-1-0 $76K

Schoolyardsuperman earned four Derby points with a fourth-place finish in the Withers. The $150,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase posted a career-best 119 HRN speed figure when finishing second in a maiden special weight at Belmont at Aqueduct in November. He debuted with a sixth-place finish at the same track in September, then broke his maiden in his third start before stepping into stakes company in the Withers. He worked four furlongs in 48.7 seconds at Belmont on Jan. 23.

Winners without Derby points

Emerging Market by Candy Ride-Wild Empress, 1: 1-0-0 $19K

Emerging Market broke his maiden on debut at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 with a 121 HRN speed figure for Klaravich Stables, going about 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The $185,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase went off as the third choice at 3.2-1 in that debut. He could make his next start in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on March 21 or the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 4. He worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Jan. 30.

Iron Honor by Nyquist-Orencia, 1: 1-0-0 $47K

Iron Honor broke his maiden on debut at Aqueduct on Dec. 13 with a 125 HRN speed figure, the joint-highest debut figure among Brown's nominees. The $475,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase went off at 5-1 as the fourth choice in a six-furlong sprint and still won. He is pointed toward the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Feb. 28 and worked four furlongs in 49.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Feb. 14.

Canaletto by Into Mischief-Distorted Music, 1: 1-0-0 $41K

Canaletto broke his maiden on debut at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 with a 111 HRN speed figure, going off as the favorite at 1.4-1 in a one-mile race on dirt. His top sibling, Sandman, captured a Grade 1 victory and earned $1.53 million. He could make his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream on Feb. 28 or the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 9. He worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Feb. 14.

Rebel Instinct by Into Mischief-Unrivaled Belle, 2: 1-1-0 $64K

Rebel Instinct broke his maiden at Belmont at Aqueduct on Nov. 2 with a 125 HRN speed figure after finishing second in his debut at the same track in September at 12.82-1. He is out of Unrivaled Belle, who earned $1.85 million with six victories from 14 starts, and his top sibling Unique Bella captured multiple Grade 1 races and earned $1.27 million. He has not raced in 109 days or worked publicly since Nov. 15 at Belmont.

Maiden runners

Hadrian's Wall by Curlin-Thoughtfully, 2: 0-2-0 $34K

Hadrian's Wall, the highest-priced yearling among Brown's nominees at $1.3 million, posted a 121 HRN speed figure when finishing second on debut at Belmont at Aqueduct in November. He went off at 5.1-1 as the third choice, flashing talent from the outset. He finished second again in a maiden special weight at Aqueduct on Dec. 31. His dam, Thoughtfully, earned $168,000 with two wins from five starts. He worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Belmont on Jan. 15 and has not been seen publicly in 35 days.

Mr. Miracle by Curlin-Cherry Lodge, 2: 0-0-2 $18K

Mr. Miracle, a $700,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, posted a 110 HRN speed figure when finishing third on debut at Aqueduct in December as the 1.8-1 favorite. He ran third again at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7 with a 107 HRN speed figure. His dam, Cherry Lodge, earned $322,000 with four victories from 10 starts. He worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Palm Meadows on Jan. 30.

Growth Equity by Nyquist-My Dear Venezuela, 2: 0-2-0 $34K

Growth Equity, a $425,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase for Klaravich Stables, posted two runner-up finishes from two starts. He debuted at six furlongs at Saratoga in July with a 92 HRN speed figure and improved to a 110 HRN speed figure when stretching out to a mile at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7. He worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Jan. 30.

Criteria by Yaupon-Quirky, 1: 0-1-0 $20K

Criteria, a $100,000 Keeneland November yearling purchase for Klaravich Stables, finished second in his debut at Saratoga on Aug. 2 with a 100 HRN speed figure at 6 1/2 furlongs. He has not raced in 201 days but resumed working, covering four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Palm Meadows on Feb. 13.

Pay the Piper by Twirling Candy-Lipstick City, 1: 0-0-0 $1K

Pay the Piper, a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, finished fifth in his debut on turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 with a 99 HRN speed figure at 7 1/2 furlongs. His dam, Lipstick City, earned $210,000 with four victories from 15 starts. He worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Palm Meadows on Feb. 14.

Amberjack by Complexity-Coogee Beach, 1: 0-1-0 $15K

Amberjack finished second in his debut at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 with a 97 HRN speed figure at six furlongs, going off at 6.1-1 as the fourth choice. His dam, Coogee Beach, earned $47,000 from five starts. He worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Palm Meadows on Feb. 14.