Kentucky Derby 2026 futures: Paladin surges to 2nd choice

Paladin's victory in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct vaulted Chad Brown's charge from 18-1 to 11-1 in Nevada futures for Kentucky Derby 2026. The Gun Runner colt now shares second choice with Further Ado at Caesars Sportsbook.

The connections behind 2024 Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone campaigned the 2-for-2 Paladin, who defeated Renegade and Balboa in the Remsen (G2) to give Brown his second winner of the race. Paladin earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to move into a tie for sixth on the leaderboard.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey remained the favorite at 7.5-1 for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Into Mischief colt tops the leaderboard with 40 points and is 4-for-4 with three consecutive Grade 1 scores in the Hopeful, Breeders' Futurity and Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Further Ado, the Brad Cox-trained Gun Runner colt who romped by 20 lengths in his Keeneland maiden breaker, drifted slightly from 10-1 to 11-1 to tie Paladin. Further Ado earned 10 points for his Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) victory.

Third-place finisher Balboa made the biggest move among Remsen runners, plunging from 50-1 to 28-1. The former Bob Baffert runner transferred to Brittany Russell's barn and won the James F. Lewis Stakes at Laurel before his graded-stakes effort at Aqueduct. Renegade, who finished second for Pletcher, drifted from 35-1 to 40-1.

Boyd, the Violence colt whose two impressive sprint victories had shortened him to 15-1 last week, drifted to 20-1. Baffert has 10 horses in the Caesars futures. In addition to Boyd, Baffert has Brant at 25-1, Plutarch 45-1, Cherokee Nation and Provenance 50-1, Blacksmith and Desert Gate at 55-1, Falcon Jet 60-1, Litmus Test 55-1 and Buetane at 75-1. Brant and Litmus Test each have nine points after their Breeders' Cup Juvenile placings.

Pletcher has seven horses on the board, led by Ted Noffey. Courting is 33-1 after drifting from 18-1, Final Score and Renegade 33-1 and 40-1 respectively, Local Knowledge 40-1, Epic Desire 80-1 and Grittiness 150-1. Cox has eight contenders headed by Further Ado, including newly listed Cannoneer at 30-1, Rebel Instinct 40-1, Commandment 66-1, White Tiger and Rancho Santa Fe 80-1 and My World, Confessional and Exonerate at 90-1 or longer.

Japan's Satono Voyage debuted in the futures at 30-1 for trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. The Into Mischief colt leads the Japan road to the Kentucky Derby with 10 points from his Cattleya Stakes victory. Igniter, recently added at 55-1 for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., is another newcomer to watch.

Into Mischief leads the sire standings with 10 horses in the futures, led by favorite Ted Noffey plus Satono Voyage, Cannoneer, Rebel Instinct, Renegade, Plutarch, Provenance, Commandment, Tagermeen and Into The Beast. Gun Runner has six contenders: Further Ado, Paladin, Brant, Leading Change, Mob and Spice Runner. Not This Time has strong representation with Balboa, Blackout Time, Final Score, Cherokee Nation, Time for Music and It's Our Time.

Kenny McPeek has seven horses in the market, Blackout Time (33-1), Universe (40-1), Chambersville (66-1), Very Connected (80-1), Liberty National (65-1), Sleepingonfreedom (85-1) and JJ Grey (300-1). Steve Asmussen is represented by Obliteration, Romeo and Soldier N Diplomat at 50-1 to 55-1, plus Spice Runner at 60-1 and Stradale at 66-1.

Caesars Sportsbook Nevada listed 90 horses Monday morning for Kentucky Derby 2026. The odds are available to bettors in Nevada either in person or on an app. They also may be played legally from out of state using an existing account through a licensed proxy.