Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Local Knowledge finishes fast

Ted Noffey isn’t the only promising 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender campaigned by Spendthrift Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher.

On the same Saturday that Ted Noffey delivered a decisive win in Keeneland’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Spendthrift and Pletcher won a six-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland with Local Knowledge, who looks like an exciting prospect with a bright future.

Local Knowledge

Purchased for $625,000 back in April, Local Knowledge shipped in off a sharp series of workouts over the Belmont Park training track. He started as the 7-2 second choice against 11 rivals and ran to his training.

At the start, Local Knowledge bumped the starting gate and got away slowly as a result, ultimately settling in sixth place by 4 1/4 lengths through an opening quarter-mile in :22.75. But he steadily gained ground through half a mile in :46.05, and in the homestretch he wore down the leaders to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.

Local Knowledge displayed a sharp turn-of-foot through the final quarter-mile, getting the distance in :23.87 to hit the finish line in 1:10.23. In comparison, a six-furlong allowance for juveniles later on the card elapsed in 1:11.26, and older fillies and mares required 1:10.49 to complete the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

Any way you slice it, Local Knowledge delivered a big debut. As a son of seven-furlong Forego (G1) winner Yaupon, it’s possible that Local Knowledge will prove more comfortable in sprints than routes, but it’s too early to say for certain. After all, his fast finish at Keeneland bodes well for stretching out around two turns.

Heartily

At the end of Saturday’s Keeneland card, a second six-furlong maiden special weight for juveniles took place. Heartily didn’t run as fast as Local Knowledge, but he was much the best while dominating 10 rivals in gate-to-wire fashion.

Heartily showed much more early speed than Local Knowledge, dashing to the front through splits of :22.21 and :45.80. The son of Champagne (G1) winner Complexity did decelerate in the homestretch, running his final quarter-mile in :25.63, but that didn’t stop him from drawing off to a 6 1/2-length triumph in 1:11.43.

Trained by Wesley Ward, who is best known for his abundant success saddling sprinters, Heartily is bred for speed and isn’t necessarily cut out for the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile trip. But Complexity sired this year’s 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby (G3) winner Mo Plex, so it’s not impossible to envision Heartily stretching out in distance.

My World

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox won the 2021 Kentucky Derby with Mandaloun. His roster of contenders for the 2026 Derby grew stronger last week thanks to a pair of maiden wins from well-bred colts.

My World is the first we’ll highlight. Coming off a fourth-place debut sprinting six furlongs at Saratoga, the son of two-time champion Essential Quality improved significantly when making his second start over the same conditions at Aqueduct last Saturday.

Favored at just under even-money, My World tracked splits of :22.48, :45.56, and :57.63 in second place before wearing down the pacesetter to prevail by a neck in 1:10.27. The runner-up pulled 5 3/4 lengths clear of the rest.

My World clocked his final quarter-mile in a respectable :24.71, and his pedigree offers potential for stretching out in distance since Essential Quality won the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1) and 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1). Keep a close eye on this gray colt.

Meelo Time

At Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday, Cox sent out Meelo Time to win his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight.

A son of red-hot sire Not This Time out of a mare by champion Will Take Charge, Meelo Time rated in fourth place behind fractions of :23.60 and :48.09 before taking over through six furlongs in 1:13.31. He had to duel for a time with co-pacesetter Munny Town, but edged away in the final furlong to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:39.65.

Yamal

We’ll wrap up this week’s Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch with a mention of Yamal, a Victor Barboza Jr. trainee who won his Sunday debut at Gulfstream Park.

Facing seven rivals in a one-mile maiden special weight, Yamal rated toward the back of the pack through fractions of :23.96 and :46.78. Then the son of champion male sprinter Runhappy unleashed a sweeping bid to seize command and dominate by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:39.91.

Top maiden winner of the week: Local Knowledge

Honorable mention: My World