Trainer Brad Cox has nominated 22 colts for the 2026 Triple Crown series, placing him fourth among trainers behind Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert and Chad Brown. The group includes high-priced yearlings and homebreds from operations like Juddmonte and WinStar Farm, with several sired by his 2021 champion Essential Quality. These nominees span runners with Derby points, stakes contenders and unraced prospects.
Brad Cox's 22 nominees for the 2026 Kentucky Derby highlight his strong stable for the classics. The list features a mix of experienced horses and promising newcomers, with five already earning points toward the race.
Among those with points, Further Ado, by Gun Runner out of Sky Dreamer, has 10 points after winning the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 29, posting a 121 HRN speed figure. The $550,000 OBS April purchase ranks 18th on the leaderboard and is a possible entrant in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7. My World, by Essential Quality out of Quebec, also holds 10 points in 20th place, with three wins from five starts, though he finished 11th in the Saudi Derby (G3) on February 14. Rancho Santa Fe, by Tapit out of Family Tree, has five points after a fourth-place finish in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn on February 6. Quality Mischief and Cannoneer each have four points; the former won his turf debut but placed seventh in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) on February 14, while the latter, a $1.75 million Keeneland September buy, was fourth in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on January 31 with a 121 HRN speed figure.
Stakes horses aiming higher include Fulleffort, entered in the John Battaglia Memorial, and Commandment, possible for the Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 28. Maiden winners like Doctrine and Easterly have shown promise with recent victories and solid speed figures.
Unraced prospects include high-value purchases such as Act of Parliament ($750,000 OBS April) and Emilio ($1.5 million Fasig-Tipton August), alongside homebreds like Hickman Creek from Juddmonte. The road to the Derby continues to build momentum for these colts.
