Tipsheet: 2026 Holy Bull Stakes
Cannoneer breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
January 28th, 2026
A strong field of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $275,000 Holy Bull (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.
Holy Bull Stakes Picks
- #5 Cannoneer
- #7 Nearly
- #1 Incredibolt
Holy Bull Stakes Wagers
Holy Bull (G3) Contenders
#1 INCREDIBOLT: Riley Mott pupil followed up a nice maiden win two back with a strong score in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs most recently. The Bolt d’Oro colt has trained well in advance of his sophomore debut and will save ground early before putting in his best run late from the rail under Jaime Torres.
#2 ROGER THAT DANA: Bay son of Awesome Slew was second in the Mucho Macho Man S. on the course last time for Luis Ramirez. The Florida-bred three-year-old steps up in class against this group and will need a sizable leap forward to challenge this cast late beneath Rojas.
#3 PROJECT ACE: Dale Romans' trainee broke his maiden with a stubborn tally beneath the Twin Spires last time out and will make his seasonal bow on this day. The War of Will colt has yet to run as fast as many of his foes in the field and would be a surprise with Corey Lanerie in the silks.
#4 GLOBAL AVIATOR: Dark bay son of Global Campaign was impressive in registering a first-out sprint victory on the oval following a poor break. The Rohan Crichton pupil will stretch out from six panels in this endeavor, and I think that the likely longshot could have an impact in the tilt with expected improvement on Saturday. The intriguing colt will have Joe Bravo in the silks.
Next up on the Two-Year-Old Tracker is recent maiden winner Cannoneer, who recorded a 100 Brisnet Speed figure with his 7 1/4-length romp at Churchill Downs on Saturday. 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 2, 2025
The Brad Cox trainee is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Girvin plus graded stakes scorers Midnight… pic.twitter.com/aiXBGhIr4F
#5 CANNONEER: Top choice from the Brad Cox barn led throughout in a fine maiden score in his second lifetime appearance, where he earned a robust 100 Brisnet Speed rating. Purchased for $1.75 million as a yearling, the son of top sire Into Mischief has displayed fine early foot in both career runs to date, and I feel that the Kentucky-bred will improve with added distance, as well. Irad Ortiz, Jr. will take the reins.
#7 NEARLY: Prime win threat from the Pletcher shedrow has rolled home to a pair of dominant tallies in succession on the surface and rates a big chance with continued ascension. The dark bay son of Not This Time registered a huge 110 Late Pace rating in his recent allowance triumph and drilled a bullet four panels at Palm Beach Downs in his most recent morning move. John Velazquez retains the ride.
#8 BRAVARO: Unbeaten New York-bred was much the best in the Sleepy Hollow S. at Aqueduct in October and comes in fresh for his first run with graded foes. The Saffie Joseph trainee has worked steadily in the interim, and the son of Upstart could grab a share late with a lifetime best under Tyler Gaffalione.
#9 GAME FOR IT: Second timer from the Chad Summers barn didn’t topple a great field in a sprint debut at Aqueduct, and the Known Agenda colt was also assigned the widest post in the group, too. The chestnut would surprise me in this heat if he runs with Junior Alvarado signed on.
