Kentucky Derby Context: Albus

A versatile type, Albus raced up close to the pace when breaking his maiden in his 2026 opener, rolling to a 6 3/4-length decision at Tampa Bay Downs in late February. The dark bay colt switched to rating tactics in the Wood Memorial (G2) next out, earning a Kentucky Derby berth by rallying to an 11-1 upset. The Wood did not attract a proven field and Albus will need to improve to challenge at Churchill Downs. But the improving sophomore is coming on at the rigth time and Albus will look to keep stepping up in the Kentucky Derby.

OWNER: Pin Oak Stud (Dana Bernhard) will have its first Kentucky Derby runners in 2026, with Albus being joined by Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt in the starting gate. Located in Versailles, Ky., Pin Oak Stud was sold to the Bernhards from the Abercrombie family in 2022.

TRAINER: Riley Mott will saddle his first Kentucky Derby starters, sending out Albus and Incredibolt. Former assistant and son of two-time Kentucky Derby winner Bill Mott, Riley Mott went out on his own in late 2022 and was represented by his first Grade 1 winner in 2025, World Beater, who is owned by Pin Oak Stud. 

JOCKEY: Manny Franco will pick up the mount on Albus. A top jockey in New York, the Puerto Rican native made his first Kentucky Derby appearance in 2015 and his best result from six attempts came on Tiz the Law, who finished second in the 2020 Kentucky Derby and captured the Belmont S.

BREEDER: Albus was bred in Kentucky by Susan Casner, who will be represented by her first Kentucky Derby starter as breeder. Her husband, William Casner, co-owned WinStar Farm with Kenny Troutt until 2010, and WinStar bred Kentucky Derby winners Funny Cide (2003) and Super Saver (2010) during his tenure. Albus sold for $320,000 as a yearling at the 2024 Keeneland September sale.

SIRE: Albus is from the first crop of Grade 1-winning sprinter Yaupon, the leading freshman sire by progeny earnings in 2025. Yaupon is by Uncle Mo, who sired 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, and Albus is one of 10 stakes winners so far for Yaupon.

DAM: While there’s speed on top of his bloodlines, Albus is eligible to receive a healthy dose of stamina from his female family. He’s the second graded stakes winner out of the unraced Adream, a daughter of 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini, the broodmare sire of 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty. Albus’ half-sister, Grade 3 winner Song of Spring, preferred longer distances, and Adream is out of the unraced Turbo Dream, a daughter of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled and half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Dream Rush, the dam of champion three-year-old filly and 2021 Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat.