(Final Gambit jumped into the mix with a huge win in Saturday’s G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park / Photos by Coady Media)

Editor’s Note:

We have updated our new rankings for the 151st Kentucky Derby, as we head into the final stretch for this year’s “Road.” The G1 Blue Grass Stakes; the G1 Florida Derby; the G1 Arkansas Derby; the G1 Santa Anita Derby and the G2 Wood Memorial all are still on the horizon. And, to some degree, so is the G3 Lexington Stakes. A lot of running and lot of moving still to come.

But, for now, I still stick with my top 2, which I have liked since January:

Sovereignty and Journalism.

Remember, before you think I just jumped on these respective band wagons, I picked both of these to win their last races — even when they were not favored.

Here’s my Top 20 looks and comments. Just scroll over to see the entire chart:

151st Ky Derby Rankings
Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Record Next Comments
1. Sovereignty Into Mischief Bill Mott Junior Alvarado 4/2-1-0 G1 Florida Derby Remains My Top Pick — By a Lot
2. Journalsim Curlin Michael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli 4/3-0-1 G1 Santa Anita Derby Worked at Santa Anita on 3-22 Going 5F in 1:01.40… Nice Maintenance Move
3. Citizen Bull Into Mischief Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 5/4-0-1 G1 Santa Anita Derby Went a Great 5F on Sunday at SA in :59.80…Sitting on Go-Go-Go
4. Coal Battle Coal Front Lonnie Briley Juan Vargas 7/5-0-0 G1 Arkansas Derby Blew Out 3F on Sunday at Oaklawn in :37.40…Rebel Winner Ready for G1 Ark Derby
5. River Thames Maclean’s Music Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 3/2-1-0 G1 Florida Derby Gallant Effort in FOY / Nearly Won in 1st Stakes Effort / Improving Each Day
6. Tappan Street Into Mischief Brad Cox Luis Saez 2/1-1-0 G1 Florida Derby Went 5F at Payson Park on 3-22 in 1:01.80…Really Nice Move
7. Tiztastic Tiz the Law Steve Asmussen Joel Rosario 8/3-1-2 G1 Kentucky Derby Finally, This 1 Matched Turf Runs Earlier In Career With Win in LA Derby; Moving Up
8. River Thames Maclean’s Music Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 3/2-1-0 G1 Florida Derby On 3-21 went 5F in 1:00.51 at Palm Beach Downs…Coming Like a Racehorse
9. John Hancock Constitution Brad Cox Flavien Prat 3/2-0-0 G1 Kentucky Derby Suffered 1st Loss in LA Derby After Flattening Out in Stretch…What’s Next Here?
10. Bullard Gun Runner Michael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli 3/2-0-1 Undecided After a Month Off, Has 2 Works in a Row At SA; Went 4F in :48.40 on Sunday; Ready?
11. Owen Almighty Speightstown Bryan Lynch Irad Ortiz, Jr. 6/3-2-0 G1 Blue Grass Stakes Impressive Winner of the G2 Tampa Bay Derby Wheels Back in BG…Style Should Fit
12. American Promise Justify D. Wayne Lukas Nik Juarez 9/2-1-1 G1 Kentucky Derby Jumped Into the Mix With Huge Win in VA Derby; Can He Keep Improving? Good ?
13. Final Gambit Not This Time Brad Cox Luan Machado 4/2-1-1 G1 Kentucky Derby Last-to-First Win in G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks Was Super Impressive / Dirt? It’s Coming
14. Barnes Into Mischief Bob Baffert Juan Hernandez 3/2-1-0 G1 Blue Grass Stakes Looked Leg-Weary in the San Felipe Stakes…Distance Is Question…Should Love KEE
15. Built Hard Spun Wayne Catalano Luis Saez 6/2-1-2 G1 Kentucky Derby 5th in the LA Derby When Weakened…But a Rather Rough Trip, Too…Must Improve
16. Sandman Tapit Mark Casse Cristian Torres 7/2-1-2 G1 Arkansas Derby Worked 5F on 3-19 at OP…Slow…Must Improve to Challenge Here & Move On
17. Getaway Car Curlin Bob Baffert Juan Hernandez 8/3-2-0 G1 Kentucky Derby Tiring 4th in VA Derby Gives Serious Concerns…Will He Move On?
18. Chancer McPatrick McKinzie Chad Brown Flavien Prat 5/3-1-0 G1 Blue Grass Stakes 2nd in G3 Tampa Bay Derby Off a Long Layoff…Should Improve & Be Tough in BG
19. Poster Munnings Eoin Harty John Velazquez 5/3-0-1 G1 Kentucky Derby 4th in G3 Jeff Ruby Casts Doubts on Future, But 1st Try Over AW…Lexington Stakes?
20. First Resort Uncle Mo Eoin Harty Luis Saez 4/2-1-0 Undecided Still No Works Since 2-18…Must Be An Issue…I Toss Now
20a. Burnham Square Liam’s Map Ian Wilkes Edgar Zayas 5/2-1-1 G1 Blue Grass Stakes Dull in G2 FOY…Must Improve to Win BG Stakes…But Rooting for This Quality Trainer