Ky. Derby 2026: Meet Pletcher's Triple Crown nominees

Todd Pletcher's 17 Triple Crown nominees signal the Hall of Fame trainer's bid to return to the Kentucky Derby after a record streak of 21 consecutive starters ended in 2025 when Grande scratched from the field. The all-time leader in Derby starters with 65, Pletcher won the race with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017 and holds eight Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer.

His nominees range from Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey and Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Nearly to unraced maidens still developing their racing foundations. The group includes several million-dollar yearling purchases running for prominent connections such as Spendthrift Farm, Repole Stable and WinStar Farm. Let's take a look.

Stakes winners and allowance performers

Ted Noffey by Into Mischief-Streak of Luck, (40 Derby points), 4: 4-0-0 $1.66M

Ted Noffey captured the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Oct. 31 with a 129 Horse Racing Nation speed figure, capping an undefeated four-race campaign that earned the $650,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male. Spendthrift Farm announced Jan. 29 that Ted Noffey had been diagnosed with bruised condyles after showing discomfort following a four-furlong workout in 50.8 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 23. He requires about 90 days off and will not compete in the Triple Crown, with connections targeting a return at Saratoga this summer.

Renegade by Into Mischief-Spice Is Nice, (25 Derby points), 4: 1-2-1 $199K

Renegade won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 with a career-best 118 HRN speed figure after placing second twice and third once in his previous three starts. The $975,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase finished third in his debut at Saratoga in August and is likely pointed toward the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn on March 28 for owners Robert Low, Lawana Low and Repole Stable.

Nearly by Not This Time-Ib Prospecting, (20 Derby points), 4: 3-0-0 $250K

Nearly won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31 with a career-best 132 HRN speed figure for Centennial Farms. The $350,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase won his last three starts after finishing sixth in his debut at Belmont at Aqueduct in October. He could make his next start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28 with the Florida Derby (G1) as a target. He worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 24.

Grittiness by Curlin-Coach Rocks, (11 Derby points), 5: 0-2-0 $69K

Grittiness finished second in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 6 after four previous starts, including a sixth-place debut at Saratoga in August. The $575,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase for Repole Stable worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Belmont Park on Jan. 30.

Zany by American Pharoah-Mo' Green, (30 Oaks points), 3: 3-0-0 $222K

Zany won the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 after breaking her maiden at Gulfstream Park in November and capturing an allowance race in January. The filly by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah posted a top HRN speed figure of 114 and might be pointed toward the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 3. She worked four furlongs in 47.9 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Courting by Curlin-Cavorting, (2 Derby points), 3: 1-0-0 $67K

Courting finished fourth in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 in his most recent start. The $5 million Keeneland September yearling purchase, the most expensive in this group, broke his maiden in his second career start after finishing fourth in his debut at Belmont at Aqueduct in September. He is out of Grade 1 winner Cavorting, who earned $2.06 million, and ran for Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm. He is entered in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14 and worked four furlongs in 48.3 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Feb. 7.

Epic Desire by Uncle Mo-Brooklynsway, (2 Derby points), 6: 1-1-1 $63K

Epic Desire finished fifth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 in his most recent start for Epic Horses. The colt posted one win, one second and one third from six career starts. He worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Jackson Hole by Nyquist-Spa Treatment, 2: 2-0-0 $60K

Jackson Hole won an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17 after breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park in December. The $1.3 million Keeneland September yearling purchase earned a 104 HRN speed figure in his allowance victory for WinStar Farm, CHC and First Go Racing. He is pointed toward the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28 and worked five furlongs in 1:02.4 at Palm Beach Downs on Feb. 6.

Class President by Uncle Mo-Top Quality, 2: 1-1-0 $54K

Class President finished second in the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31 with a 114 HRN speed figure after breaking his maiden at the same track in December. The colt is owned by WinStar Farm, First Go Racing and CHC. He worked four furlongs in 48.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 24.

Other runners with race experience

Powershift by Constitution-Free Flying Soul, 1: 0-1-0 $6K

Powershift finished second in a maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 with a 119 HRN speed figure in his debut. The $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase ran for Repole Stable and is out of Free Flying Soul, whose top offspring Flying Connection earned $993,000 with a Grade 1 placing. He worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Scope by Gun Runner-Nasty, 5: 0-2-1 $55K

Scope finished second in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 5 with a career-best 119 HRN speed figure. The colt debuted on turf at Saratoga in August and has since transitioned to dirt for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta and Harry Colburn. He worked four furlongs in 50.9 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30.

Make My Day by Gun Runner-Magical Feeling, 1: 0-0-1 $3K

Make My Day finished third in his debut, a maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7, earning a 100 HRN speed figure. The $1.1 million Keeneland September yearling purchase ran for Spendthrift Farm and Repole Stable. He worked five furlongs in 1:01.1 at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Halogen by City of Light-Majestic Union, 2: 0-0-0 $3K

Halogen finished seventh in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7 in his second start for Centennial Farms. The colt earned a career-best 111 HRN speed figure when finishing fourth in his debut at the same track in January. He worked four furlongs in 49.3 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Versailles Road by Quality Road-Iva, 4: 0-0-1 $11K

Versailles Road finished sixth in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3 in his most recent start for Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Robert LaPenta. The $290,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase posted one third-place finish from four starts. He worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Feb. 7.

Spartacus by Curlin-Marion Ravenwood, 1: 0-0-0 $1K

Spartacus finished fifth in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 with an 86 HRN speed figure in his debut. The colt is out of Marion Ravenwood, whose top offspring Nest won eight races and earned $2.17 million with Grade 1 victories. He worked four furlongs in 49.5 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Feb. 6.

Chess Match by Curlin-Checkupfromzneckup, 1: 0-0-0 $1K

Chess Match finished sixth in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7 with an 87 HRN speed figure in his debut. The colt ran for WinStar Farm and First Go Racing and is out of Checkupfromzneckup, whose top offspring Carribean Caper won five races including a Grade 3 victory. He worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Jan. 31.

Mapped Flight by Liam's Map-Oyster Box, 1: 0-0-0 $1K

Mapped Flight finished seventh in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 with a 76 HRN speed figure in his debut. The colt ran for St. Elias Stable and Gainesway Stable and worked four furlongs in 48.3 seconds at Palm Beach Downs on Feb. 7.