Hanson, Scully handicap Pool 3 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

With Pool 3 of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) being offered this weekend, Vance Hanson and James Scully will preview an individual and joint selection to back from the list of 40. The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) will take place on May 2.

Vance Hanson: For those who were taken by the eye-catching victory by #27 Napoleon Solo (40-1) in October’s Champagne (G1), Pool 3 looks like the opportune time to get down on the son of Liam’s Map. Although the form of the Champagne hasn’t been exactly flattering in the interim, Napoleon Solo beat that field like a drum while earning a 98 Brisnet Speed rating, still among the highest turned in by anyone in the crop for a stakes-winning effort. Connections were probably wise to pass on meeting Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), with the focus rightly on getting the gray to the Kentucky Derby (G1) in ideal fashion. Napoleon Solo returned to the worktab at Palm Meadows this week, which is an encouraging sign, and in this pool figures to be higher odds than he was for Pools 1 and 2 (27-1 and 21-1, respectively).

James Scully: A $1.75 million son of Into Mischief, the sire of three Kentucky Derby winners, #6 Cannoneer (15-1) delivered a spectacular performance breaking his maiden the second time out at Churchill Downs, registering a 100 Brisnet Speed rating for the 7 1/4-length decision. Trained by Brad Cox, the bay colt is gearing up for his three-year-old opener, and I am bullish on Cannoneer heading into his stakes debut.

Consensus selection: After finishing a well-beaten sixth in his first start at Aqueduct, #28 Nearly (50-1) rebounded smartly at Gulfstream Park, defeating Florida-bred maiden rivals by nine lengths. The Todd Pletcher-trained son of Not This Time confirmed himself as a Kentucky Derby contender when rolling to an impressive win over entry-level allowance rivals on Jan. 2, netting a 97 Brisnet Speed figure in the seven-furlong test, and Nearly is bred to relish classic distances. He appears to have plenty of promise for a two-time Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner.