The 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1) underwent another change on Tuesday as Iron Honor was declared out of the race by trainer Chad Brown, and Chip Honcho moved into the field, limited to 20 starters.
Iron Honor, who was 16th on the Derby qualifying points leaderboard, will now be pointed to the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park on May 16, two weeks after the Derby (May 2).
Chip Honcho, winner of the Gun Runner Stakes, second in the Risen Star Stakes (G2), and fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G2), has 49 Derby points. Chip Honcho is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who is 0-for-28 in the Run for the Roses.
A few days ago, the defection of Ottinho [also trained by Brown] allowed Chief Wallabee to move into the Derby field to give Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott a chance to win the Derby two years in a row (he won with Sovereignty in 2025).
There’s still time for a change or two as the post-position draw is Saturday, with four also-eligibles chosen as well based on Derby qualifying points.
Stark Contrast is currently 15th on the Derby leaderboard, but all signs point to the colt being entered in the American Turf Stakes (G1) on Derby Day. That would allow Intrepdio, currently 21st on the leaderboard, to move into the field. If there’s yet another defection, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s Litmus Test would move into the field.
Two-time Preakness-winning trainer Chad Brown is Derby-bound with Emerging Market, but is pointing to the Preakness for Iron Honor, the Gotham Stakes (G2) winner who was a disappointing seventh as the favorite in the Wood Memorial (G2).
“He’s going to go to the Preakness,’’ Brown said. “The only thing is if something weird changes with the (Derby) field, a bunch of defections or something crazy, then I’ll take a look at it.
“I’m going to work him in New York on Saturday. I can get him down here in time if I need to. But right now, I’d rather go to the Preakness with the horse.”
A few days ago, Brown said Ottinho – the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up -- was out of Derby consideration and would run next in either the Preakness or the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) on May 9, a prep for the Belmont Stakes (G1), the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Chad Brown’s Emerging Market (2-for-2) made his first on-track appearance Tuesday, galloping 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Luis Ortiz ... Also arriving at Churchill Downs was Florida Derby (G1) runner-up The Puma for trainer Gustavo Delgado ... Trainer Riley Mott’s Incredibolt [and stablemate Albus] galloped 1 ½ miles Tuesday in his return to the track for the first time since winning the Street Sense Stakes (G3) last fall ... Chief Wallabee posted a bullet work on Monday – 5 furlongs in 1:00.00, the second fastest of 11 at the distance.
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