Kentucky Derby 2026 scouting report: East-southeast division

The east-southeast division of the Kentucky Derby 2026 scouting report provides a list of prospects for the 2026 run for the roses. This group includes Derby prep races in Florida, Louisiana, New York and Virginia. That means stakes at Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, Aqueduct and Colonial Downs.

Since the road to the Derby began in September, 13 points races have been run, with five of them won by horses in this division. Ted Noffey won twice in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for Todd Pletcher and Spendthrift Farm. Napoleon Solo got a victory in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct for Chad Summers and Gold Square. Paladin won the Remsen (G2) for Chad Brown. On Saturday, My World was victorious in the Jerome. 

Of the 18 horses listed in this first east-southeast division report, trainer Todd Pletcher has eight and Chad Brown has three. Into Mischief is the top sire in this report with a trio of promising 3-year-olds. 

Horses qualified for this report by earning points on the Derby trail and-or being part of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool 2. They are here in order by Derby points earned or alphabetically with most recent odds at Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada. Listed next are Kentucky Derby Future Wager odds from pool 2, sire with KDFW sire pool odds, trainer, ownership, most recent race, overall record, earnings and a summary comment.

Derby trail winners 

Ted Noffey, 40. Caesars 8-1*, KDFW2 7-1*, Into Mischief 9-2, Todd Pletcher, Spendthrift Farms. 1st BC Juvenile, 1st Breeders’ Futurity, 4: 4-0-0, $1,657,963. Undefeated and expected champion 2-year-old.

My World, 10. Caesars 75-1, KDFW2 7-1*, Essential Quality 45-1, Brad Cox, Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, 1st Jerome, 4: 3-0-0, $217,750. Three wins in a row at Aqueduct, including the Nashua.

Napoleon Solo, 10, Caesars 25-1, KDFW2 21-1, Liam’s Map 22-1, Chad Summers, Gold Square, 1st Champagne, 2: 2-0-0, $319,000. Sold for $40,000 at Keeneland September yearling sale and is undefeated in two starts.

Paladin, 10. Caesars 10-1, KDFW2 22-1, Gun Runner 5-1, Chad Brown; Magnier, Tabor, Brant, Smith and Summer Wind Equine. 1st Remsen (G2), 2: 2-0-0, $184,250. Undefeated in two starts. Second choice in Las Vegas futures.

Others with Derby points

Balboa, 9. Caesars 90-1, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Not This Time 7-1, Brittany Russell; SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golgonda Stable, New Waves Capital, Catherine Donovan; 2nd in Jerome, 7: 2-1-2, $189,600. First four starts were for Bob Baffert in California. 

Arctic Beast, 5. Caesars 100-1, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Yaupon 53-1, Mike Maker; Paradise Farms, JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stable, Jennifer Rice. 2nd Springboard Mile, 4: 3-1-0, $265,305, New York-bred.

Renegade, 5. Caesars 40-1, KDFW2 63-1, Into Mischief 9-2, Pletcher, Lawana and Robert Low, Repole Stable; 2nd Remsen, 3: 0-2-1, $79,000. Still a maiden. 

Enforced Agenda, 3. Caesars 100-1, KDFW2 7-1*, Liam’s Map 22-1, George Weaver, St. Elias Stable. 3rd Jerome, 2: 1-0-1, $64,750. St. Elias homebred.

Courting, 2. Caesars 33-1, KDFW2 45-1, Curlin 15-1, Pletcher, Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables, Windancer Farm. 4th Remsen, 3: 1-0-0, $66,850. Dam is Grade 1 winner Cavorting.

Stakes or allowance winners

Commandment. Caesars 33-1, KDFW2 69-1, Into Mischief 9-2, Cox, Wathnan Racing. 1st Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream, 3: 2-0-0, $165,459. Dam is Grade 1 winner Sippican Harbor.

Final Score. Caesars 33-1, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Not This Time 7-1, Pletcher, Repole Stable. 1st Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland, 4: 3-1-0, $397,550. Won two graded stakes on turf.

Nearly. Caesars 100-1, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Not This Time 7-1, Pletcher, Centennial Farms, 1st allowance at Gulfstream. 3: 2-0-0, $78,950. 96 Beyer Speed Figure in allowance. 

Maiden winners

Class President. Caesars 90-1, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Uncle Mo 66-1, Pletcher, WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, CHC. 1st maiden special weight at Gulfstream, 1: 1-0-0, $24,000. WinStar homebred won debut on Dec. 27.

Dr. Kapur. Caesars 200-1, KDFW2 152-1 - McKinzie 33-1, Saffie Joseph Jr., Ken Ramsey. 6th Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), 3: 1-1-0, $89,643. Ramsey homebred broke maiden at Keeneland as odds-on favorite.

Iron Honor. Caesars NA, KDFW2 2-1 (all others), Nyquist 37-1, Brown, St. Elias, William Lawrence, Cathi Glassman – 1st maiden special weight on Dec. 13 at Aqueduct – 1: 1-0-0, $46,750 – Sold twice at auction.

Jackson Hole (0) – Caesars NA, KDFW2 2-1 (all others) – Nyquist 37-1, Pletcher – WinStar Farm, CHC inc., First Go Racing. 1st maiden special weight at Gulfstream on Dec. 13, 1: 1-0-0, $24,000. Sold twice at auction, $1.3 million as Keeneland yearling.

Local Knowledge. Caesars 40-1, KDFW2 109-1, Yaupon 53-1, Pletcher, Spendthrift Farm. 1st maiden special weight at Keeneland on Oct. 4, 1: 1-0-0, $62,233. Beat a full field with a late rally going six furlongs.

Rebel Instinct. Caesars 40-1, KDFW2 34-1, Into Mischief 9-2, Brown, Resolute Racing and Whisper Hill Farm. 1st maiden special weight at Aqueduct going one mile, 2: 1-1-0, $63,750. $700,000 Saratoga yearling purchase. 

Remaining east-southeast division preps

Withers, Aqueduct, Jan. 31, 20-10-6-4-2 points

Holy Bull (G3), Gulfstream Park, Jan. 31, 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (G3), Tampa Bay Downs, Feb. 7, 20-10-6-4-2

Gotham (G3), Aqueduct, Feb. 28, 50-25-15-10-5

Fountain of Youth (G2), Gulfstream, Feb. 28, 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (G3), Tampa Bay Downs, March 7, 50-25-15-10-5

Virgina Derby, Colonial Downs, March 14, 50-25-15-10-5

Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream, March 28, 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (G2), Aqueduct. April 4, 100-50-25-15-10