With the conclusion of 2025, the fifth week of the Novice Standings presents a Top 10 list that remains mostly consistent with Week 4. Nevertheless, a minor alteration warrants attention as this series concludes.
The initial nine positions in the standings are unchanged, with Ted Noffey maintaining the top spot. Given his three Grade 1 victories in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA, the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, and the Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes, it is highly probable he will be named the outstanding 2-year-old male of 2025, making him our unequivocal leading candidate for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.
However, a modification has been implemented at the conclusion of the list. Following additional consideration, we have substituted Japan’s Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun victor Pyromancer (who held the #10 position in Week 4) with Golden Tempo, an impressive first-time winner at Fair Grounds on December 20.
Initially, Golden Tempo appeared to be an improbable participant for a debut win in a six-furlong maiden special weight event. His father is Curlin, a two-time Horse of the Year, renowned for his top-tier performances in longer races and responsible for numerous Grade 1 champions competing at 1 1/8 miles and beyond. Moreover, Golden Tempo’s mother is Carrumba, who triumphed in the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 3 Top Flight Invitational Handicap and descends from Bernardini, the outstanding 3-year-old male of 2006, victor of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, Grade 1 Travers Stakes, and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup across extended distances.
By all accounts, Golden Tempo’s lineage suggests he is destined to excel in races spanning 1 1/8 miles or greater. His breeding also indicates he is poised to reach his prime at three years old and subsequent years, rather than as a juvenile.
Despite these expectations, Golden Tempo secured victory in his initial race with a spectacular showing. He demonstrated no immediate acceleration, receding to the rear of the field by over nine lengths. He remained seven lengths behind the leaders with just a quarter-mile remaining. A win seemed out of reach, but by completing his last quarter-mile in an astounding :23.67, Golden Tempo surged past nine competitors to claim a 1 ½ length triumph in 1:10.66.
Golden Tempo’s impressive closing speed aligns with his lineage and implies significant enhancement over extended race distances. He presents as a captivating prospect for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, thus earning his spot in the concluding Novice Standings.
Below is the configuration of the ultimate Top 10:
1. Ted Noffey: This young male horse has already overcome graded stakes champions such as Litmus Test, Brant, Intrepido, and Spice Runner. This constitutes a remarkable achievement.
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: 1st, FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA, Oct. 31 at Del Mar
2. Paladin: Subsequent to his victory in the Remsen Stakes, Paladin was transported from New York to Florida, completing a half-mile workout in :50.80 on December 28.
Owners: Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Summer Wind Equine
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: 1st, Remsen Stakes, Dec. 6 at Aqueduct
3. Further Ado: Further Ado aims to be the inaugural progeny of Gun Runner to secure a Kentucky Derby triumph. Sierra Leone, also fathered by Gun Runner, placed second by a minimal margin in the 2024 Derby.
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last Race: 1st, Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs
4. Satono Voyage: Should Satono Voyage participate in the Kentucky Derby, he would represent only the second former Cattleya Stakes contender to achieve this, with Lani preceding him a decade earlier.
Owner: Hajime Satomi
Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka
Last Race: 1st, Cattleya Stakes, Nov. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse
5. Blackout Time: Despite Blackout Time not having completed a recorded training session for more than sixty days, his trainer Kenny McPeek affirmed via a recent X platform update that the Kentucky Derby is still the intended goal.
Owners: Brookdale Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Last Race: 2nd, Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 4 at Keeneland Race Course
6. Litmus Test: Litmus Test shows progress with each outing, thus even having commenced in four graded stakes, he retains potential for more significant accomplishments in 2026.
Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: 1st, Los Alamitos Futurity, Dec. 13 at Los Alamitos Race Course
7. Napoleon Solo: Napoleon Solo is recognized for his considerable swiftness, yet questions arise about his ability to maintain pace over 1 ¼ miles in the Kentucky Derby. His father (Liam’s Map), mother (Atomic Blonde), and maternal grandfather (Scat Daddy) all recorded their most notable victories in races spanning 1 1/8 miles or shorter.
Owner: Gold Square
Trainer: Chad Summers
Last Race: 1st, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 4 at Belmont at the Big A
8. Cannoneer: Cannoneer was recently transported from Kentucky to Florida, where he completed a half-mile training exercise in 50 seconds on December 24 at Payson Park Training Center.
Owners: St. Elias Stable and Stonestreet Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last Race: 1st, maiden special weight, Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs
9. Iron Honor: Iron Honor stands as one of multiple gifted Kentucky Derby prospects under the guidance of trainer Chad Brown, who has prepared three horses to finish among the top three in the esteemed race.
Owners: St. Elias Stable, William Lawrence, and Cathi Glassman
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: 1st, maiden special weight, Dec. 13 at Aqueduct
10. Golden Tempo: Golden Tempo possesses limitless potential as he develops and attempts extended racing distances.
Owners: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Last Race: 1st, maiden special weight, Dec. 20 at Fair Grounds
