Kentucky Derby 2026: Pletcher draws on his strong bench

Delray Beach, Fla.

In January, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher told Horse Racing Nation that everything to “go perfect” if Ted Noffey was to flash his brilliance in the Kentucky Derby. Three days later, owner Spendthrift Farm announced that its undefeated 2-year-old champion was off the Derby trail with bone bruising.

It was a blow to Pletcher and one that is all too familiar. Of his five Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winners, Fierceness is the only one to make the Derby. He finished 15th, a result that always will be a puzzle.

Pletcher was forced to scratch prime contender Uncle Mo from the 2011 Derby with a rare liver ailment. Two years later, after a lackluster Florida Derby, Shanghai Bobby would race once more, and that race had nothing to do with roses. On to 2023. Favored Forte was scratched Derby morning with a bruised right front foot. Now, add Ted Noffey to the constellation of the trainer’s stars who never strutted their stuff in the opening leg of the Triple Crown.

“As a trainer, you understand that these situations happen. They don’t always fall into the timeline that you want it to,” Pletcher said. “As everyone knows, the Derby comes up quickly, the first Saturday in May. You’ve got to be ready on that day. A lot of preparation goes into it.”

Although Ted Noffey is expected to recover in time for the second half of his 3-year-old season, Pletcher will always wonder what might have been. “The horse had as good a campaign as anyone can have,” the trainer noted. “Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough time for him to run a winning race in the Derby.

“It’s disappointing, especially for the owners. You want to give them an opportunity with a colt like that. But at the same time they are understanding that these are living, breathing creatures that sometimes need more time.”

Consolation for Pletcher comes in several forms. He long ago got the Derby gorilla off his back when Super Saver splashed home in 2010. He saddled a second winner in Always Dreaming in 2017.

He is hardly alone in experiencing the Juvenile jinx. Street Sense and Nyquist are the only Juvenile winners to go on to Derby success, with Street Sense accomplishing that in 2007 and Nyquist in 2016.

For most trainers, the sidelining of Ted Noffey would mean wait ‘til next year. Pletcher has built such a strong list of deep-pocketed, loyal clients that he is able to regroup and turn to other talented Derby candidates such as Class President, who captured Sunday’s Grade 1 Rebel at Oaklawn in only his third start.

Pletcher discussed his Derby candidates for HRN's Barn Tour feature. Kentucky Derby qualifying points, when applicable, also are listed.

Class President (50). After placing second in the Swale, this Uncle Mo colt showed his readiness for two turns and his willingness to fight with everything he has in outdueling Silent Tactic by a nose in the Rebel in only his third career start. He made a winning debut while going one mile at Gulfstream Park in late December. Pletcher, in a text to the Oaklawn media team, said he is “very excited about his effort. We’ve been looking forward to getting him around two turns.”

Renegade (25). By Into Mischief, he shows every sign of being a young horse who is moving in the right direction with his victory in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. Owned in partnership by Mike Repole and Lawana and Robert Low, he can stamp himself as a Derby contender if he runs as well as expected in the March 28 Arkansas Derby (G1). He has a couple of four-furlong maintenance works since the Davis, most recently covering the distance in a leisurely 50.29 seconds on Feb. 27 at Palm Beach Downs. Pletcher: “I thought his Sam Davis was very good. I think he’s a horse that’s going to appreciate added distance. He’s a very straightforward, easy horse to train. He’s adaptable to different pace scenarios.”

Nearly (20). This Florida-bred son of Not This Time appears to represent the barn’s best hope at this stage. He has a three-race winning streak, prevailing by a combined 20 lengths, and is being pointed toward the March 28 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. He controlled the Jan. 31 Holy Bull (G3) by 5 3/4 lengths in his most recent start on behalf of Centennial Farms. He has drilled three times since the Holy Bull, all at Palm Beach Downs, and clocked a four-furlong move in a comfortable 50.17 seconds on Feb. 27. Pletcher: “He seems to be a horse that is just continuing to improve. He’s becoming more professional, he’s putting on weight, he looks fantastic. He’s doing all the things that it seems like the good ones do at this time of year.”

Grittiness (11). After running fifth in the Remsen (G2), the son of two-time horse of the year Curlin improved to second in the Withers. He will try the March 14 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in a search for much-needed qualifying points. He has so far been a substantial disappointment for owner Mike Repole after being a $575,000 purchase at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale. Pletcher: “He’s shown hints, but he needs to improve. He needs to get himself in a bit better tactical position.” 

Courting (2). The son of Curlin shows promise in the morning that has, so far, failed to surface in competition. He closed last year by running fourth in the Remsen. He did not perform nearly as well as expected in his lone start this season, breaking awkwardly and a step slow and then enduring a wide trip in the Feb. 14 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. Pletcher: “I was disappointed in his effort at the Fair Grounds. He didn’t get away well. The track seemed to favor speed, and he ran evenly. We feel he’s better than that.” Next: April 4 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.

Epic Desire (2). This Uncle Mo colt is a March 24 foal, which might help to explain why he required five starts to break his maiden. He finally prevailed by 2 1/2 lengths going one mile and 40 yards on Jan. 9 at Tampa Bay Downs. Epic Desire owes both of his Derby qualifying points to a fifth-place effort in the Sam F. Davis. Pletcher: “I would like to run him in the Jeff Ruby (Steaks, G3), but I’m not sure he will have enough earnings to get in.” He might go in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.

Jackson Hole. He drew the rail in last Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (G2) and did not respond well to an inside trip, beating a hasty retreat after five furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile contest. The son of 2016 Derby winner Nyquist finished sixth of nine for his first defeat in three starts. He remains without any Derby qualifying points as time begins to grow short.