Kentucky Derby 2026: Meet Steve Asmussen's 10 nominees

Steve Asmussen has 10 Triple Crown nominees as the Hall of Fame trainer continues the pursuit of his first Kentucky Derby victory. A two-time Eclipse Award winner with two Preakness victories, a Belmont Stakes win and eight Breeders' Cup victories, Asmussen has a 28: 0-3-2 record in the Derby, finishing second with Nehro in 2011, Lookin At Lee in 2017 and Epicenter in 2022. He most recently ran Tiztastic and Publisher in the 2025 Derby, where they finished 10th and 14th.

His nominees range from Chip Honcho, who leads the group with 39 Derby points after a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Risen Star, to maidens still developing their racing foundations. The group features four colts by Gun Runner and two by Vekoma, with several high-dollar purchases running for prominent connections such as Winchell Thoroughbreds, Wathnan Racing and St. Elias Stable.

On the Derby leaderboard

Chip Honcho by Connect-Miss My Rose, (39 Derby points), 5 starts: 2-2-0 $260,000

Chip Honcho leads Asmussen's Triple Crown nominees after finishing second in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14, earning a 119 Horse Racing Nation speed figure. The colt broke his maiden at Keeneland in October and followed with a second-place finish in his next start before capturing his first stakes victory. He is pointed to the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 21 at Fair Grounds and worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Fair Grounds on Sunday.

Obliteration by Violence-I'mclassyandsassy, (15 Derby points), 8 starts: 3-4-0 $894,000

Obliteration, purchased for $200,000 at OBS March, earned his Derby points with a second-place finish in the Saudi Derby (G3) on Feb. 14 with a 130 HRN speed figure. The colt has been consistent throughout his career, with three wins and four second-place finishes from eight starts for multiple connections including Leland Ackerley Racing. His dam's top offspring Big and Classy earned $356,000 with nine victories and a Grade 3 placing.

Soldier N Diplomat by Army Mule-Diplomatic Miss, (13 Derby points), 5 starts: 2-1-1 $351,000

Soldier N Diplomat, purchased for $950,000 at OBS March, earned his Derby points with a second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn on Feb. 6. The St. Elias Stable colt broke his maiden on debut at Saratoga in July and captured a second victory before the Grade 3 placing, earning a career-best 115 HRN speed figure along the way. He is entered in the Rebel Stakes (G2) on Sunday at Oaklawn and worked four furlongs in 51.0 seconds at Oaklawn on Sunday.

Other runners

Noble Affair by Vekoma-Paden Affair, 2 starts: 1-0-1 $38,000

Noble Affair, purchased for $600,000 at OBS April, captured his maiden victory at Fair Grounds on Jan. 24 with a 130 HRN speed figure for Wathnan Racing. The colt finished third in his debut at Fair Grounds in December on the turf before switching to dirt for his breakthrough performance. His dam's top offspring Happy Happy Happy won 11 races and earned $131,000.

Knock It Off by Vekoma-Bodie's Flight, 2 starts: 2-0-0 $69,000

Knock It Off, purchased for $150,000 at Keeneland September, won his second start in an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds on Friday with a 129 HRN speed figure. The colt broke his maiden on debut at Fair Grounds in January for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison. He worked three furlongs in 38.0 seconds at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15, and his dam's top offspring Call Me Kaykay earned $27,000 from nine starts.

Time for Music by Not This Time-Bling On the Music, 6 starts: 1-1-0 $100,000

Time for Music is by Not This Time and was purchased for $750,000 at Keeneland September, earning a career-best 110 HRN speed figure. Owned by Mike McCarty, the colt has managed one victory and one second-place finish from six starts and is entered in the Rebel. His dam's top offspring Atomic Tone won 11 races and earned $249,000.

Maiden runners

Marauder by Gun Runner-Dream Pauline, 3 starts: 0-1-0 $25,000

Marauder is by Gun Runner and earned his career-best 110 HRN speed figure when finishing seventh in his most recent start at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14. The Winchell Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables colt has managed one second-place finish from three starts since his debut in August. His dam Dream Pauline won four races and earned $244,000 from five starts, and he worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Feb. 10.

Dragones by Gun Runner-Lady Godiva, 3 starts: 0-2-0 $46,000

Dragones is by Gun Runner and posted his best 94 HRN speed figure when finishing second in his most recent start at Oaklawn on Jan. 2. The Winchell Thoroughbreds and Resolute Racing colt has recorded two runner-up finishes from three starts since debuting at Saratoga in August. His dam's top offspring Leofric won eight races, including a Grade 1 victory, and earned $951,000, and he worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Oaklawn on Feb. 14.

Silver Shot by Gun Runner-Princesa Carolina, 3 starts: 0-0-0 $9,000

Silver Shot is by Gun Runner and was purchased for $2.2 million at Keeneland September, earning a career-best 93 HRN speed figure when finishing fifth at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14. The expensive purchase for Whisper Hill Farm, Three Chimneys Farm and Resolute Racing has yet to hit the board in three starts since debuting in November. His dam's top offspring Muhimma won three races, including a Grade 2 placing, and earned $392,000, and he worked four furlongs in 51.8 seconds at Fair Grounds on Feb. 7.

Bedeviled by Gun Runner-Devilite, 6 starts: 0-0-0 $14,000

Bedeviled is by Gun Runner and earned his career-best 86 HRN speed figure when finishing seventh at Oaklawn on Feb. 6. The Winchell Thoroughbreds colt has struggled to find his footing in six starts since debuting at Churchill Downs in June. His dam's top offspring Deviletta won three races and earned $122,000, and he worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Oaklawn on Tuesday.