Road to Kentucky Derby 2026 Report (3-23-26)

The Jeff Ruby Stakes and Louisiana Derby were the latest road to Kentucky Derby 2026 prep races and Fulleffort and Emerging Market punched their tickets to Louisville. In this report, I will recap the Jeff Ruby and LA Derby, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 30 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The road to the Derby continues with the Florida Derby (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) on March 28.

Florida Derby field (race 14): 1 – Albus, 2 – Chief Wallabee, 3 – Wayne’s Law, 4 – Commandment, 5 – Redland Rebels, 6 – Nearly, 7 – Timeless Victory, 8 – The Puma, 9 – Gregarious.

Arkansas Derby field (race 13): 1 – Redland Rebels (15-1), 2 – Silent Tactic (5-2), 3 – Blackout Time (6-1), 4 – Bricklin (20-1), 5 – Taptastic (20-1), 6 – Renegade (3-2), 7 – Napoleon Solo (6-1), 8 – Exosome (20-1), 9 – Litmus Test (5-1).

Napoleon Solo will not run in the Arkansas Derby. He is being rerouted to the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 4.

Redland Rebels is entered in the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, and he is expected to run in the latter event. He was fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby in his last start.

Bricklin is entered in the Hot Springs Stakes on March 26 and the Arkansas Derby on March 28, and he is expected to run in the latter event. He was third in the Sunland Derby in his last start.

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