With the 2026 Kentucky Derby at hand, we have compiled a horse-by-horse analysis that also includes key prep race videos.

Who does our ‘capper like, and why? Read on to find out. And how about you — who do you like?

Click on each of the prep race lines to pop up a video of that race.

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1. Renegade (4-1)

• Owner: Repole Stable
• Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
• Record: 5 starts — 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $1,031,500

Beginning his prep season in the Grade 2 Remsen in December, this $975,000 yearling purchase came from off the pace to narrowly miss against the talented Paladin. Already showing improvement from his first two tries, this colt continued the upwards trend with back-to-back wins in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and a convincing four length score in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby last time. With increasing speed figures in each try as well as the visually impressive wins at three, this morning line favorite simply has the difficult post draw to contend with as he figures to finish from off the pace. The last Derby winner from the inside post came forty years ago in Ferdinand, leaving an uphill battle for this Pletcher trainee who has as much upside as any with Irad Ortiz in the irons looking for his first Derby win. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Arkansas Derby | 9f | 149.7 | Finish: 1 | Field: 8

• 2/7/2026 | Sam F. Davis S. | 8.5f | 143.54 | Finish: 1 | Field: 9

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2. Albus (30-1)

• Owner: Pin Oak Stud, LLC
• Jockey: Manuel Franco
• Trainer: Riley Mott
• Record: 4 starts — 2 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $436,288

One of two Riley Mott runners, Albus appeared to be on the outside looking in after scratching out of multiple prep races with no Derby points heading into the final weekend. Instead, a stunning win in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial put him into this field after just three maiden tries prior. With little stakes experience and a weaker field faced in the Wood, Albus would need to show clear improvement to end up a winner here, as he is likely to come from mid-pack and may face trouble early from the inside. Still, he has flashed his upside in two wins this year and could have another gear to close well with the added distance even as he remains a sizable longshot. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 1 | Field: 12

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3. Intrepido (50-1)

• Owner: Dutch Girl Holdings, LLC
• Jockey: Hector I. Berrios
• Trainer: Jeff Mullins
• Record: 6 starts — 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $342,800

Starting with high hopes as a two-year-old with a win in the American Pharoah, this colt didn’t show a step forward against stiffer competition this year, only finishing close in the Robert B. Lewis. With four points races under his belt, Intrepido amassed 38 points, leaving him as one of the lower earners to qualify. Intrepido faded in the stretch last time in the Santa Anita Derby to finish fourth by 10 and would need a unique scenario to end up in the top grouping as he hasn’t yet shown an affinity for added ground. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Santa Anita Derby | 9f | 149.01 | Finish: 4 | Field: 7

• 2/7/2026 | Robert B. Lewis S. | 8f | 137.02 | Finish: 2 | Field: 7

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4. Litmus Test (50-1)

• Owner: SF Racing, LLC; Starlight Racing; Madaket Stables
• Jockey: Martin Garcia
• Trainer: Bob Baffert
• Record: 7 starts — 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
• Earnings: $477,688

The only of the inside grouping who has shown consistent speed in his career, this Baffert trainee won the Los Alamitos Futurity in December but was unable to carry that form into this year. Attempting to go gate to wire in the Rebel, Litmus Test set too quick a pace and tired late, only to reverse course and rate in the Arkansas Derby to no avail. Among this crowded group, any strong performance with a forward trip at this distance is unlikely, leaving Martin Garcia with little option but to stalk the lead or come from mid pace and hope his colt has enough left in the tank. Otherwise, this Baffert runner may simply be one that adds to what is typically an honest first half-mile, setting up the race for his stablemate Potente among others who prefer a late finish. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Arkansas Derby | 9f | 149.7 | Finish: 7 | Field: 8

• 3/1/2026 | Rebel S. | 8.5f | 143.21 | Finish: 3 | Field: 9

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5. Right to Party (30-1)

• Owner: Chester Broman, Sr.
• Jockey: C. Elliott
• Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
• Record: 4 starts — 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds
• Earnings: $230,200

With all four of his tries at Aqueduct, this McPeek trainee has made his running style clear as a deep closer who should start well off the pace in this one. After a late finish into third in the Gotham, Right to Party came back to qualify in the Wood Memorial with a strong closing kick from eleventh into second. While his late kick was impressive, this field is a big step up from the competition in the Wood, with other late finishers here who have shown more against classier colts. Right to Party could be good value to consider underneath in exotics, only if a torrid Derby pace sets up in front of him. Even then, he still remains a large longshot who starts here a step below the top contenders. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 2 | Field: 12

• 2/28/2026 | Gotham S. | 8f | 137.94 | Finish: 3 | Field: 8

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6. Commandment (6-1)

• Owner: Wathnan Racing
• Jockey: Luis Saez
• Trainer: Brad H. Cox
• Record: 5 starts — 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $1,017,339

This colt sold for half a million bucks as a yearling, with his talent shining through this year as a three-year-old. A winner of all three of his stakes tries at Gulfstream Park including the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, Commandment scored in both points races in dramatic fashion with late kicks from off the lead. Running down strong competition in Chief Wallabee twice and The Puma last time out, this Brad Cox trainee is battle tested and should start mid pack here with a bit more pace to aim at than he had in the Florida Derby. Even if Commandment may not have the highest upside and most dominant efforts of this group, his continued consistency and adjustment to added distance should put him in good position to at least hit the board with winning chances given a clean trip.

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Florida Derby | 9f | 149.99 | Finish: 1 | Field: 6

• 2/28/2026 | Fountain of Youth S. | 8.5f | 143.33 | Finish: 1 | Field: 9

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7. Danon Bourbon (20-1)

• Owner: Danox Co., Ltd.
• Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura
• Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe
• Record: 3 starts — 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $222,762

A winner of Japan’s Fukuryu Stakes which qualified him for this race, Danon Bourbon joins a recent line of Japanese runners coming into North American stakes with plenty of upside. While he may not end up on the level of 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young who ran a strong third in the Derby two years back, this rangy colt has the right stalking running style to play spoiler here and won his prep race with ease. As Japanese runners improve and get more favorable results when they ship overseas, it is just a matter of time before one captures the first jewel of the Triple Crown with Danon Bourbon certainly posing a threat to run well at a price.

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Fukuryu S. | 9f | 150.9 | Finish: 1 | Field: 10

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8. So Happy (15-1)

• Owner: Saints or Sinners
• Jockey: Mike E. Smith
• Trainer: Mark Glatt
• Record: 4 starts — 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $480,000

By Runhappy, So Happy profiled as a sprinter through his first two tries, winning the seven furlong Grade II San Vicente in January in just his second start. After sitting on a blistering half mile in that try, he stretched out to a mile and one sixteenth in the San Felipe and was caught up in another quick pace, unable to hold with the added distance. Trainer Mark Glatt then entered him back in the Santa Anita Derby despite the appearance of distance limitations, where he sat slightly further off the leaders, but simply ran better despite adding another sixteenth. With his Santa Anita win, So Happy proved that he should be able to handle this distance and will be in a stalking position with the Derby veteran Mike Smith in the irons. Smith’s experience will counter that of Glatt, who saddles his first Derby starter and certainly has a dangerous contender who could be a good price here. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Santa Anita Derby | 9f | 149.01 | Finish: 1 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | San Felipe S. | 8.5f | 142.92 | Finish: 3 | Field: 7

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9. The Puma (10-1)

• Owner: OGMA Investments, LLC
• Jockey: Javier Castellano
• Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
• Record: 4 starts — 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $442,280

The Puma began his career at Gulfstream where he was bested by future and returning foe Chief Wallabee, then quickly stepped onto the Derby trail in the Sam F. Davis as the second choice. No match for Renegade that day, The Puma appeared to be behind schedule only to score a solid win in the Tampa Derby, going last to first and besting Further Ado. Even as questions remained following that win, this colt came back in the Florida Derby to lose by the smallest of margins to Commandment in a game effort. The Puma has improved quickly in his three-year-old season and can contend here if he continues his upward trend in speed figures even if he may be a slight notch below the top three. If the price is anywhere near his morning line however, this is certainly one that can be bet to win and should be included in exotics.

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Florida Derby | 9f | 149.99 | Finish: 2 | Field: 6

• 3/7/2026 | Tampa Bay Derby | 8.5f | 143.23 | Finish: 1 | Field: 9

• 2/7/2026 | Sam F. Davis S. | 8.5f | 143.54 | Finish: 3 | Field: 9

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10. Wonder Dean (30-1)

• Owner: Yoshinari Yamamoto
• Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
• Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi
• Record: 6 starts — 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $770,541

Finishing in fourth in the Saudi Derby in February, Wonder Dean entered the UAE Derby with middling expectations, and ended up as the lone challenger to the favorite and pace-setting Six Speed. Hunting him down in the stretch with a stalking trip, this colt showed no issues with distance and appears to be on the improve. A slower finish in that race coupled with a historical lack of success from those coming out of the UAE Derby does leave this colt as an unlikely winner here, even if he still has upside at a price. Japanese runners continue their strong display in North American stakes however, as Wonder Dean looks to become an unlikely strong finisher. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | UAE Derby | 9.5f | 159.19 | Finish: 1 | Field: 11

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11. Incredibolt (20-1)

• Owner: Pin Oak Stud, LLC
• Jockey: J. A. Torres
• Trainer: Riley Mott
• Record: 5 starts — 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $498,681

Breaking his maiden in September over the Churchill track, Incredibolt came back to win the Street Sense with a last to first score. Looking to add to his Derby points, this colt was entered into Gulfstream’s Holy Bull where he never factored. A strong closing kick in the Virginia Derby put this Riley Mott trainee into the Derby, maybe proving that his Holy Bull was simply a bad day. With a more forward trip in the Virginia Derby, this colt has options from a running style perspective as he could stalk the lead or sit more mid-pack. Distance doesn’t appear to be an issue for this son of Bolt d’Oro, though, and two wins over this track are a major plus. If the price is anything around his morning line, this is definitely one to keep an eye on even if he would still need to take a step forward to win.

Key Prep Races

• 3/14/2026 | Virginia Derby | 9f | 147.76 | Finish: 1 | Field: 10

• 1/31/2026 | Holy Bull S. | 8.5f | 144.52 | Finish: 6 | Field: 6

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12. Chief Wallabee (8-1)

• Owner: Michael & Katherine G. Ball
• Jockey: Junior Alvarado
• Trainer: William I. Mott
• Record: 3 starts — 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
• Earnings: $216,600

Familiar connections return to the Derby with a new face in the still lightly raced Chief Wallabee. With all three tries at Gulfstream, this colt broke his maiden at first asking in January, then was bet down to second choice in the Fountain of Youth where he was bested late by Commandment. Clearly possessing plenty of talent, Chief Wallabee entered into the Florida Derby where he sat closer to the lead in what was a slower pace. Making a late charge with Commandment, Chief Wallabee closed well but finished third by a half-length. Distance should be no issue for this colt, though he still needs to show some improvement to be a winner in this large of a field. With others who have won stakes and points races, this colt may still be a race away from showing his best but can’t be ignored underneath if he gets the right mid-pack trip. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott adds blinkers for this outing.

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Florida Derby | 9f | 149.99 | Finish: 3 | Field: 6

• 2/28/2026 | Fountain of Youth S. | 8.5f | 143.33 | Finish: 2 | Field: 9

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13. Silent Tactic (Scratched)

• Owner: John C. Oxley
• Jockey: C. A. Torres
• Trainer: Mark Casse
• Record: 6 starts — 2 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $1,051,922

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | Arkansas Derby | 9f | 149.7 | Finish: 2 | Field: 8

• 3/1/2026 | Rebel S. | 8.5f | 143.21 | Finish: 2 | Field: 9

• 2/6/2026 | Southwest S. | 8.5f | 144.85 | Finish: 1 | Field: 12

• 1/3/2026 | Smarty Jones S. | 8.5f | 145.06 | Finish: 2 | Field: 8

Silent Tactic scratched on April 29 as a result of a bruised foot.

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14. Potente (20-1)

• Owner: Speedway Stables, LLC
• Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
• Trainer: Bob Baffert
• Record: 3 starts — 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $262,000

A $2.4 million yearling purchase, Potente is living up to his name with wins in two of three starts including the San Felipe. Unfortunately, he was unable to hold onto the lead in the Santa Anita Derby, leaving some questions about his distance capability and upside at this level. A recent 57 ⅘ five-furlong work over this track suggest he is sound and took to the Churchill surface. Writing off a talented Bob Baffert trainee in the Derby certainly wouldn’t be wise, as this colt may need to sit closer to mid-pack to adjust to the added ground here. At a bigger number, there should be good value for these connections as an underneath play, but the early positioning is crucial as this pricey Into Mischief colt will need to bring his A-game to find his way into the money.

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Santa Anita Derby | 9f | 149.01 | Finish: 2 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | San Felipe S. | 8.5f | 142.92 | Finish: 1 | Field: 7

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15. Emerging Market (15-1)

• Owner: Klaravich Stables, Inc.
• Jockey: Flavien Prat
• Trainer: Chad C. Brown
• Record: 2 starts — 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $618,880

Emerging Market won his debut by three-quarters of a length at Tampa Downs and then stepped up into the Louisiana Derby in just his second start. Off as the post time favorite there, he ran down the unrelenting Pavlovian and took advantage of quicker fractions to win by a neck. As impressive as that Grade 2 win was in his stakes debut, no horse since Leonatus in 1883 has won the Derby with just two starts under their belt. Emerging Market still needs to show some improvement and faces a far tougher task in this field of 20. Jockey Flavien Prat has a Derby win and has been fourth or better in seven of eight prior Derby outings.

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Louisiana Derby | 9.5f | 155.18 | Finish: 1 | Field: 9

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16. Pavlovian (30-1)

• Owner: Reddam Racing, LLC
• Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
• Trainer: Doug O’Neill
• Record: 10 starts — 2 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $613,450

The most heavily raced runner in this field, Pavlovian had been mostly inconsistent through his first eight starts before running down the leader for a mild upset in the Sunland Park Derby. That effort still placed him well below the best three-year-olds in the country, as he entered the Louisiana Derby at 21/1 odds. Setting a quicker early pace, Pavlovian was valiant in defeat, holding his lead deep into the stretch at a mile and three-sixteenths. While he isn’t a likely winner here with that same running style, Pavlovian has run from off the pace but clearly does his best running with a forward trip. This Doug O’Neill trainee could be one to set up this field for a late finisher if he leaves, likely tangled up with Six Speed to his outside and potentially Litmus Test if he decides to be aggressive. With fewer true pace-setters in this year’s field compared to recent years, Pavlovian may get the trip he wants, but still needs to take a step forward to finish well. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Louisiana Derby | 9.5f | 155.18 | Finish: 2 | Field: 9

• 2/15/2026 | Sunland Derby | 8.5f | 142.22 | Finish: 1 | Field: 6

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17. Six Speed (50-1)

• Owner: Brunetti Dugan Stables
• Jockey: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.
• Trainer: Bhupat Seemar
• Record: 5 starts — 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
• Earnings: $402,183

The most likely pace setter, Six Speed won the UAE Two Thousand Guineas with a front running score after drawing away from the field going roughly eight furlongs. When stretching out further in the UAE Derby, this colt was no match for Wonder Dean and ran out of juice in mid-stretch. With distance questions given his running style and the winless track record of UAE prep runners in the Derby, Six Speed will have difficulty winning here. For good measure, he has the winless 17 post also working against him. His early turn of foot could be a major determining factor in how quickly the first half-mile is run, however, as recent Derbies have been won by off the pace runners as the front end speed tires in the stretch. The top contenders here tend to close from well off the pace, making the presence of this colt vital for their success. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/28/2026 | UAE Derby | 9.5f | 159.19 | Finish: 2 | Field: 11

• 1/23/2026 | UAE 2000 Guineas | 8f | 138.02 | Finish: 1 | Field: 16

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18. Further Ado (6-1)

• Owner: Spendthrift Farm, LLC
• Jockey: John R. Velazquez
• Trainer: Brad H. Cox
• Record: 6 starts — 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
• Earnings: $1,146,328

Breaking his maiden in a dominant 20-length score at Keeneland, Further Ado entered the Derby trail in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill where he drew clear late. After a layoff into his three-year-old season, he appeared to be the one to beat in the Tampa Derby but couldn’t pass The Puma late. Further Ado showed his best in the Blue Grass however, beating a lesser field by 11 lengths. With this tougher outside post, new jockey John Velazquez will likely need to leave early, settling in behind the two speeds to his inside in Pavlovian and Six Speed. Further Ado should be in the second grouping here and may have a tactical advantage over Commandment and especially Renegade, who will be positioned a bit further back. If this colt carries his Keeneland form to this track, where he has already won, and avoids a wide trip, his best is certainly good enough to win. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Blue Grass Stakes | 9f | 149.58 | Finish: 1 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | Tampa Bay Derby | 8.5f | 143.23 | Finish: 2 | Field: 9

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19. Golden Tempo (30-1)

• Owner: Phipps Stable
• Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
• Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
• Record: 4 starts — 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
• Earnings: $333,000

Running all four races at the Fair Grounds, Golden Tempo burst onto the Derby scene with a strong win in the Lecomte and a willing third-place finish in the Risen Star. Running third once again in the Louisiana Derby, this colt has shown no issues with added distance as he typically saves ground in the early going. Jose Ortiz will likely take Golden Tempo back after the break and hope for a pace collapse for his best performance. At a big price, this is one that needs things to break his way and may not get the cleanest trip with other late finishers who have been sharper recently. Still, the more ground the better for this Curlin, colt who has been a consistent finisher thus far in his career and could be included in exotics.

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Louisiana Derby | 9.5f | 155.18 | Finish: 3 | Field: 9

• 2/14/2026 | Risen Star | 9f | 149.14 | Finish: 3 | Field: 8

• 1/17/2026 | Lecomte S. | 8.5f | 144.98 | Finish: 1 | Field: 10 | Race#: 14

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20. Fulleffort (20-1)

• Owner: St. Elias Stable
• Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
• Trainer: Brad H. Cox
• Record: 7 starts — 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
• Earnings: $694,115

The third and most overlooked of the Brad Cox trio, this Jeff Ruby Steaks winner starts for the first time on dirt, with all of his tries on Tapeta or turf. He follows the path of last year’s Derby fourth place finisher Final Gambit who also won the Jeff Ruby from well off the pace for Cox. With a deep closing style, Fulleffort may be less impacted by the outside draw, as Gaffalione will take him back and tuck him closer inside at the break. These connections make this another longshot closer that can’t be left out in exotics, even if there are better win contenders here. Another top four finish would be a good result for Cox and these connections coming from Turfway, with the need for a quicker pace necessary for Fulleffort’s best. 

Key Prep Races

• 3/21/2026 | Jeff Ruby Steaks | 9f | 149.94 | Finish: 1 | Field: 12

• 2/21/2026 | John Battaglia Memorial | 8.5f | 146.83 | Finish: 2 | Field: 11

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21. Great White (50-1)

• Owner: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC
• Jockey: Axel Achard
• Trainer: John Ennis
• Record: 4 starts — 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $202,495

After the scratch of Silent Tactic, Great White will run. With three starts at Turfway on the Tapeta track, this gelding won the John Battaglia and stepped up into the Blue Grass last time out. Typically stalking the lead, Great White was pushed to the front early and proved no match against that classier field. Given his recent distant finish at Keeneland and lack of top end races, this longshot would be overmatched should he draw in here and could struggle with added ground. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Blue Grass Stakes | 9f | 149.58 | Finish: 5 | Field: 7

• 2/21/2026 | John Battaglia Memorial | 8.5f | 146.83 | Finish: 1 | Field: 11

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22. Ocelli (AE – 50-1)

• Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, Front Page Stables
• Jockey: J. D. Ramos
• Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
• Record: 6 starts — 0 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds
• Earnings: $109,800

Still a maiden, Ocelli has shown some ability to come from well off the lead and finish in the mix, albeit without any standout performance. Last time, he took advantage of a quicker Wood Memorial pace to end up in third, narrowly missing out on Derby qualification by a nose. With lesser speed figures and no wins on his resume, this colt would be a massive longshot if he draws in and would need a Rich Strike pace scenario to even close into the first grouping. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Wood Memorial | 9f | 151.71 | Finish: 3 | Field: 12

• 3/14/2026 | Virginia Derby | 9f | 147.76 | Finish: 6 | Field: 10

• 2/7/2026 | Sam F. Davis S. | 8.5f | 143.54 | Finish: 6 | Field: 9

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23. Robusta (AE – 50-1)

• Owner: Calumet Farm
• Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
• Trainer: Doug O’Neill
• Record: 5 starts — 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds
• Earnings: $83,500

Running well behind in the Robert B. Lewis, this Doug O’Neill trainee ran huge in the San Felipe at 67/1 to hold onto second. Unfortunately, that form didn’t carry into the Santa Anita Derby where he faded to last in a seven-horse field. It is possible that the San Felipe was a lone strong effort, but even that try wouldn’t put him in the mix in the longshot chance that he reaches the gate here given his stalking running style. 

Key Prep Races

• 4/4/2026 | Santa Anita Derby | 9f | 149.01 | Finish: 7 | Field: 7

• 3/7/2026 | San Felipe S. | 8.5f | 142.92 | Finish: 2 | Field: 7

• 2/7/2026 | Robert B. Lewis S. | 8f | 137.02 | Finish: 6 | Field: 7 | Race#: 17

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24. Corona de Oro (AE – 50-1)

• Owner: On Our Own Stable LLC; Commonwealth Stables
• Jockey: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.
• Trainer: Dallas Stewart
• Record: 5 starts — 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds
• Earnings: $92,540

After he broke his maiden at fourth asking, trainer Dallas Stewart entered Corona de Oro in the Lexington Stakes. With his typically forward running style, this colt simply didn’t have enough in the tank to hold on in the stretch and would be unlikely to get a better result here. As the final also eligible, Corona de Oro is unlikely to get in and will be aiming for other stakes races down the road.

Key Prep Races

• 4/11/2026 | Lexington | 8.5f | 144.51 | Finish: 3 | Field: 9

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THE PICKS

1. #8 So Happy (15-1) – Improving Santa Anita Derby winner offers enticing value.
2. #1 Renegade (4-1) – Morning line chalk will need to work out a trip from the rail and likely the latter portion of the field but should be able to save ground early and hope for the best late.
3. #7 Danon Bourbon (20-1) – Strapping Maxfield colt has dominated his foes in each start to date and was handled confidently by his rider in easy Fukuryu Stakes win.
4. #6 Commandment (6-1) – A winner of four straight, including the Florida Derby, he’s one of three — with Renegade and Further Ado — likely to vie for favoritism. Note that riders Irad Ortiz, who rode him to his first two wins this year, and Flavien Prat, aboard in the Florida Derby, both jump ship, the former to Renegade and the latter to Emerging Market.