Ever looked at a racing program and wondered why on earth someone would name a multi-million dollar athlete "Chip Honcho"? You’re not alone. Horse racing is a weird world. Choosing names of horses for Kentucky Derby contenders is a high-stakes mix of ego, superstition, and strict Jockey Club bureaucracy.
Right now, as we push into the 2026 prep season, the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" is starting to solidify. Some names are cool. Some are head-scratchers. But they all have to follow a very specific set of rules before they can ever set foot on the Churchill Downs dirt.
The Names to Watch for 2026
If you’re looking at the early leaderboard, one name is basically the elephant in the room: Ted Noffey.
He’s the current king of the hill. Trained by Todd Pletcher, this gray colt has been absolutely clinical. He won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which usually comes with a bit of a "curse" (only a few have ever done the Juvenile-Derby double), but the way he’s running makes people think he might actually pull it off.
Then you’ve got Paladin.
It’s a strong name. Traditional. It feels like a horse that should be winning the Run for the Roses. He took down the Remsen Stakes, and he’s sitting right behind Ted Noffey in the futures pools.
But honestly, the names get more creative as you move down the list.
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- Further Ado: A Brad Cox trainee. It’s a clever play on words, especially for a horse that people expect to "get on with it" in the longer distances.
- Napoleon Solo: Sounds like a 1960s spy, right? He won the Champagne Stakes and has that "it" factor.
- Spice Runner: By the legendary sire Gun Runner. Owners love a "naming nod" to the father, and this one is pretty direct.
- Ewing: Named after basketball legend Patrick Ewing. He was a beast at Saratoga last summer.
- Incredibolt: A nod to Usain Bolt, perhaps? He’s been showing some serious closing speed.
Why the Names of Horses for Kentucky Derby Are So Specific
The Jockey Club isn't messing around. You can't just name your horse "Fastest McFastFace" and call it a day. There is a 13-page rulebook that covers everything from character counts to offensive puns.
Basically, a name has to be 18 characters or fewer. That includes spaces.
You also can’t use the names of living people without their written permission. Remember Ewing? The owners likely had to clear that with the Knicks legend himself. And you can’t use names that are already "retired." If you wanted to name your new colt Secretariat, you'd be laughed out of the office. Once a horse wins a Grade 1 race or becomes a Hall of Famer, that name is essentially locked in a vault forever.
There are also rules about being "tasteless." If a name is too suggestive or offensive in another language, it’s a no-go. The Jockey Club acts like a polite, very strict librarian for the entire sport.
The Strategy Behind the Moniker
Some owners go for the "power name." They want something that sounds like a champion. Commandment, Intrepido, and Sovereignty (last year's winner) fit that vibe. It’s about projecting strength before the gates even open.
Others go for the "pedigree puzzle."
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This is where it gets nerdy. Take Quality Mischief. He’s by Into Mischief. It’s a classic move—take a piece of the sire’s name and mash it together with the dam's name or a related theme. It helps breeders keep track of bloodlines, but it can lead to some fairly repetitive names on the circuit.
And then there's the "inside joke" category.
Chip Honcho and Stop the Car are great examples. Usually, these come from a specific memory or a nickname the owners have. They aren't trying to sound like Greek gods; they're just having a bit of fun with a very expensive hobby.
Current 2026 Contender Names and Early Odds
| Horse Name | Trainer | Notable Win | Early Odds (Pool 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Noffey | Todd Pletcher | BC Juvenile | 6-1 |
| Paladin | Chad Brown | Remsen Stakes | 10-1 |
| Further Ado | Brad Cox | KY Jockey Club | 10-1 |
| Litmus Test | Bob Baffert | Los Al Futurity | 20-1 |
| Chip Honcho | Steve Asmussen | Gun Runner Stakes | 35-1 |
| Renegade | Todd Pletcher | (Remsen Runner-up) | 40-1 |
Can a Name Predict a Winner?
Probably not. But there's a lot of "Derby Lore" about it.
People always talk about the "S" rule. For whatever reason, a huge number of winners have names starting with the letter S. Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Sunday Silence, Smarty Jones, Street Sense... the list goes on. This year, keep an eye on Spice Runner or Strategic Risk if you’re a believer in the alphabet theory.
Honestly though, the horse doesn't know its name. It just knows it has to run left and run fast.
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How to Track These Names Through May
If you’re trying to keep up with the names of horses for Kentucky Derby contention, you’ve got to follow the points. The leaderboard changes every Saturday.
Right now, we’re in the thick of the "prep" season. Races like the Lecomte, the Holy Bull, and the Southwest Stakes are where the "nobodies" become household names. A horse like Thunder Buck or Golden Tempo might be a longshot today, but one big win in February and they're the new favorite.
Watch the "Sire" names too. If you see "Mischief," "Gun Runner," or "Constitution" in the pedigree, that horse has the DNA to handle the 1.25-mile distance at Churchill.
Actionable Next Steps for Derby Fans
- Check the Leaderboard Weekly: The official Kentucky Derby website updates the points standings after every prep race. This is the only way to know who is actually qualifying.
- Look at the "Futures" Pools: Churchill Downs runs several betting pools months before the race. The odds there tell you who the "sharp" bettors actually like versus who the media is hyping up.
- Study the Pedigrees: Don't just look at the name. Look at the sire. If a horse is bred for sprinting (6 furlongs), it will almost certainly "hit the wall" at the top of the stretch in Louisville.
- Follow the Baffert Factor: Even with the drama of past years, Bob Baffert’s names like Litmus Test and Desert Gate are always dangerous. They have the talent, even if their path to the starting gate is sometimes complicated.
The 2026 Derby is still months away, but the names are already etched in the minds of every trainer in the country. Whether it’s the elite power of a Ted Noffey or the blue-collar grind of a Chip Honcho, the name is the first thing we'll remember when they cross that finish line in May.
Stay tuned to the prep race results. The next great name in horse racing history is likely running this weekend.