Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: 5 wins for proven trainers

Trainers Bill Mott, Doug O’Neill, Todd Pletcher, and Kenny McPeek have combined to win seven editions of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Their rosters of potential 2026 Kentucky Derby contenders grew last week as each saddled at least one notable maiden winner.

Arguably, the most impressive winner was O’Neill’s Robusta, not because he won in a particularly flashy manner, but because he defeated the strongest competition. To be specific, he conquered two established Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni who had already earned Kentucky Derby qualification points.

As a result, Robusta leads this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Robusta

Robusta debuted in a deep 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on Nov. 22 at Del Mar. After pressing the pace in second place, he tired to finish seventh behind So Happy, who returned to win the San Vicente (G2) in his next start. Finishing fifth was Blacksmith, who subsequently ran second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Robusta and Blacksmith met last Friday again, when Robusta made his second start in a one-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita. They were joined in the five-horse field by Cherokee Nation, exiting a fifth-place try in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Against such fierce competition, Robusta started as a 24-1 longshot. But after racing to the front through fractions of :23.77, :48.14, and 1:11.39, the son of 2018 champion older dirt male Accelerate turned back late bids from Cherokee Nation and Blacksmith to prevail by half a length in 1:35.73.

All five starters finished only 1 1/4 lengths apart at the finish line, which can be a sign of a slow race. But Robusta ran his final quarter-mile in a sharp :24.34, and given the established strength of Cherokee Nation and Blacksmith, it’s tempting to conclude Robusta beat a quality field and has a bright future on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

O’Neill has already won the Kentucky Derby twice with I’ll Have Another (2012) and Nyquist (2016). Perhaps Robusta will give O’Neill a third triumph in the Run for the Roses.

Chief Wallabee

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has nabbed two Kentucky Derbys courtesy of Country House (2019) and Sovereignty (2025). On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, he saddled a pair of three-year-olds to score debut victories at Gulfstream Park.

Chief Wallabee was the first to strike. The son of Florida Derby (G1) winner Constitution started as the 5-2 second choice in a seven-furlong maiden special weight and exceeded expectations. After rating in midfield through splits of :22.92 and :45.76, he launched a determined rally to wear down 2-1 favorite The Puma by 1 1/2 lengths. The Puma, in turn, pulled 9 1/4 lengths clear of the rest.

By running his final furlong in a swift :11.93 per the Equibase GPS result chart, Chief Wallabee hit the wire in the solid time of 1:23.35. His pedigree suggests stretching out around two turns won’t be an issue, so expect to see Chief Wallabee try the Road to the Kentucky Derby sometime this winter.

Thunderously

Mott’s second debut winner, Thunderously, made his successful start in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight.

Despite being the only unraced entrant in a nine-horse field, Thunderously proved easily best. The son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner rated about four lengths behind splits of :23.63, :48.11, and 1:13.34 before swallowing the leaders in the homestretch to dominate by five lengths in 1:45.87.

Epic Desire

Not to be outdone, two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent out Epic Desire to graduate in a one-mile and 40-yard maiden special weight on Friday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Both of Pletcher’s Kentucky Derby winners (Super Saver, 2010, and Always Dreaming, 2017) raced at Tampa leading up to the Run for the Roses, so Epic Desire is following an established path.

Epic Desire went 0-for-4 as a juvenile, but two of his defeats came on turf. Returning to dirt at Tampa triggered a breakthrough. He rated patiently in third place behind fractions of :24.47, :48.22, and 1:12.72, then launched a rally to surge past the leaders and triumph by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:40.64.

Epic Desire is a son of Pletcher’s 2010 champion two-year-old male Uncle Mo, who is best known as the sire of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Right to Party

The last maiden winner we’ll highlight is Right to Party, from the barn of Kenny McPeek, who trained Mystik Dan to win the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024.

Coming off a third-place debut in a deep six-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct, Right to Party appreciated stretching out for a one-mile contest over the same track and class level on Saturday. The son of Constitution trailed a seven-horse field through splits of :23.43 and :46.94, advanced to third place through six furlongs in 1:12.98, and gradually wore down the leaders to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:40.41.

Top maiden winner of the week: Robusta

Honorable mention: Chief Wallabee