Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Check out Kristofferson, Talkin

Welcome back to Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch! For the sixth year in a row, TwinSpires Edge is compiling a weekly rundown of impressive maiden winners with possible Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.

Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch scours racing results from coast to coast to bring you 2026 Kentucky Derby contenders before they reach the spotlight.

Kristofferson

Our first week’s roster is led by Kristofferson, a $1.15 million yearling acquisition conditioned by six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert.

Kristofferson is the son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of Impasse, winner of the Glendale H. at Turf Paradise, and a daughter of four-time Grade 1 winner Quality Road. This classy pedigree is geared for success at a high level, and Kristofferson delivered on expectations when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar last Sunday.

Favored at 11-10 off a series of sharp workouts, Kristofferson broke inward and bumped a rival at the start, but quickly recovered to duel for command through fractions of :22.02 and :44.89. Pace rival Mr. A. P. proved stubborn down the homestretch, but Kristofferson refused to yield and edged away to prevail by three-quarters of a length under jockey Juan Hernandez.

Kristofferson stopped the timer in a fast 1:08.83, and Mr. A. P. pulled 7 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, so it’s safe to say the top two both ran strongly. Kristofferson is surely bound for stakes competition in the near future, while Mr. A. P. should be tough to beat in his next start against maidens.

Talkin

Across the country at Saratoga, Talkin caught eyes in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday. The Danny Gargan trainee was dismissed as a 9-1 longshot while debuting against seven rivals, but after rating a couple of lengths behind fractions of :22.37 and :44.62, the bay colt launched a determined homestretch rally to chase down favored pacesetter Stradale and score by a neck in 1:23.63.

Purchased for $600,000 as a yearling, Talkin is a son of 2017 champion two-year-old male and 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic. Good Magic has already found success as the sire of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, so Talkin has the pedigree to progress in a positive direction on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Oscar’s Hope

The Saratoga meet wrapped up on Labor Day, and Oscar’s Hope made the most of closing day with a blowout win in a six-furlong maiden special weight.

The son of Twirling Candy had already run once at Saratoga, finishing a pacesetting second in his Aug. 9 debut over the same distance and class level. Oscar’s Hope improved dramatically in his second start for trainer Tom Amoss, pressing splits of :22.74 and :46.02 in second place before seizing command to dominate by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:10.76.

Oscar’s Hope crushed a bevy of first-time starters from high-profile barns and appears likely to earn back his modest $150,000 purchase price in the near future.

Universe

Trainer Kenny McPeek isn’t known for cranking his juveniles to win on debut. When they do strike first-time out, they often develop into stakes horses, with 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna being a prime example.

That’s why McPeek’s Universe warrants special attention. The $75,000 yearling acquisition impressed when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday at Saratoga. Overlooked at 17-1 odds, Universe vastly exceeded the expectations of bettors, rating a couple of lengths behind fractions of :22.32 and :45.19 before taking over in the final furlong to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:24.78.

Universe’s winning time wasn’t especially quick, but the bay colt has lots of upside for improvement. Don’t be surprised if he turns up in a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier like the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, a race McPeek has won three times with Tejano Run (1994), Noble’s Promise (2009), and Rattle N Roll (2021).

Top maiden winner of the week: Kristofferson

Honorable mention: Talkin