Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Big win for Sandman’s half-brother Canaletto

An exciting new name has entered the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture: Canaletto.

A powerful debut victory on Sunday at Gulfstream Park has stamped the beautifully bred colt as a talented up-and-comer with a bright future. A foray on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is likely ahead, hence his top billing in this week’s Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Canaletto

Canaletto sold for $1 million as a yearling in large part because of his pedigree. He’s a son of perennial leading North American sire Into Mischief, who has sired a record-equaling three Kentucky Derby winners (Authentic, Mandaloun, and Sovereignty). Furthermore, Canaletto’s dam—Distorted Music—has previously foaled Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Preakness (G1) third-place finisher Sandman, plus Chilukki (G3) conqueror She Can’t Sing.

Canaletto brought sharp workouts to his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park, and bettors backed him to 7-5 favoritism. He delivered in a big way. After vying for command through splits of :23.88, :46.60, and 1:11.22, he drew off with authority to dominate by eight lengths in 1:36.28.

Canaletto actually accelerated down the homestretch, going from a seventh furlong in :12.75 to a final furlong in :12.31. He clearly has talent and joins stablemates Paladin, Ottinho, Iron Honor, and Hedge Ratio among trainer Chad Brown’s deep roster of potential Kentucky Derby contenders.

Noble Affair

Another notable maiden win came courtesy of Noble Affair, a second-time starter from the Hall of Fame barn of Steve Asmussen.

Noble Affair debuted on turf in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Fair Grounds last month, in which he rallied to finish second by three-quarters of a length. Switching to dirt for a six-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday made all the difference. In his second start, Noble Affair led all the way through splits of :22.38 and :45.89 to prevail by half a length in 1:09.84.

Noble Affair’s winning margin may have been small, but the runner-up pulled 8 1/2 lengths clear of the rest, and Noble Affair’s final clocking was strong. The son of Grade 1-winning sprinter/miler Vekoma has talent and is progressing in the right direction, though it’s possible one-turn races will be his strong suit.  

Liam Smith

At Santa Anita on Friday, Liam Smith, a son of champion juvenile Midshipman, battled to a tenacious triumph in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden optional claimer.

Coming off a non-threatening sixth-place debut in a Santa Anita maiden special weight, Liam Smith improved significantly in his second start. The Donald R. Dizney homebred showed newfound early speed, setting fractions of :21.98 and :44.52 before digging deep to beat the pace-pressing Sharons Beach by a neck in 1:15.95.

Sharons Beach pulled 8 3/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, so the top two both ran well. Liam Smith scored his win for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill, but was claimed for $50,000 by trainer Jeff Mullins and owner Les Blake, so he’ll have new connections for his next start.

Code Review

One day after trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. saddled the top two finishers in the rich Pegasus World Cup (G1), he sent out Code Review to debut victorious in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.

Perhaps Code Review will develop into Joseph’s next stakes star. Purchased for $575,000 as a yearling, the son of champion juvenile and successful sire Uncle Mo broke on top, set fractions of :21.80 and :44.90, and stayed on nicely down the lane to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:10.25. This was a promising debut that Code Review can build upon.

Bubby

We’ll conclude with a mention of Bubby, who had no difficulty trouncing fellow Louisiana-breds in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Sunday at Fair Grounds.

A son of champion and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Blame, Bubby was the only first-time starter in a seven-horse field, but his inexperience was a non-issue. Showing early speed, Bubby raced to the front and maintained a half-length lead through fractions of :22.39 and :46.28 before pulling away in the final quarter-mile to score by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:11.80.

Sam David Jr. trains the roan gelding.

Top maiden winner of the week: Canaletto

Honorable mention: Noble Affair