Paladin Leads Kentucky Derby Points Race With 60, The Puma Second

Paladin has emerged as the horse to beat on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, sitting atop the points standings with 60 after the March 12-13 prep weekend, with The Puma positioned in second place as the 2026 spring prep season gains momentum.

The standings, tracked by BloodHorse, reflect the early pecking order taking shape as trainers and connections navigate the qualifying process ahead of the first Saturday in May. Paladin's 60-point total gives the leader a meaningful cushion at this stage of the campaign, though the prep calendar still has significant races ahead that can dramatically reshape the leaderboard.

The Puma's presence in second keeps the top of the standings competitive, and both horses will be closely watched as the spring classics approach. The points system is designed to reward performance across a series of designated preps, meaning each weekend brings new contenders into the picture and can elevate or deflate a horse's Derby prospects in a single afternoon.

The March 12-13 weekend marks one of the more active stretches of the qualifying season, with multiple preps typically running in parallel across different tracks. The accumulation of points during this window sets the tone for which horses will be in serious conversations heading toward Churchill Downs.

With Paladin holding the top spot and The Puma tracking closely behind, the next round of preps will be critical in determining whether the current leader can maintain separation or whether the chasing pack has enough firepower to close the gap before Derby morning.