Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Unique Bella’s half-bro wins

While most eyes were focused on the Breeders’ Cup, a bevy of talented two-year-olds scored maiden victories at racetracks across the country last week.

Among the most impressive was Rebel Instinct, a $700,000 yearling purchase with a blueblood pedigree. The gray colt leads this week’s edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Rebel Instinct

Rebel Instinct is a son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief, whose many Grade 1 winners include Kentucky Derby (G1) conquerors Authentic (2020), Mandaloun (2021), and Sovereignty (2025). Rebel Instinct’s dam is Unrivaled Belle, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1) and previously the dam of two-time champion Unique Bella.

Despite this elite pedigree, Rebel Instinct was a 12-1 longshot when he debuted on Sept. 27 in a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct. The Chad Brown trainee proved those odds to be misguided, closing from just off the pace to finish second by one length.

Unsurprisingly, Rebel Instinct had no trouble graduating when making his second start over the same track, distance, and class level on Sunday. After vying for command through fractions of :23.49, :46.59, and 1:11.43, Rebel Instinct accelerated his penultimate furlong in :11.91 to seize a daylight lead. He then stayed on strongly to win by three lengths in 1:35.98.

On three occasions since 2018, Brown has saddled a top-three finisher in the Kentucky Derby without winning. Perhaps Rebel Instinct has the talent and pedigree to deliver Brown’s first triumph in the Run for the Roses.

Commandment

In 2021, trainer Brad Cox trained Into Mischief’s son Mandaloun to win the Kentucky Derby via disqualification. Now Cox trains Commandment, another son of Into Mischief with Kentucky Derby potential.

Purchased for $500,000 as a yearling, Commandment debuted with a fourth-place finish sprinting six furlongs at Keeneland. It turns out he was facing tough competition—third-place finisher Gallivant returned to win Keeneland’s Bowman Mill S. in his next start.

Commandment’s second start came on Saturday in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. After rating a couple of lengths behind quick fractions of :22.41 and :45.44, the bay colt wore down the leaders and pulled clear to win by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:24.63.

Commandment’s dam is Sippican Harbor, winner of the Spinaway (G1) and a daughter of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. This high-class pedigree affords Commandment plenty of room to develop into a Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.

Quality Mischief

Cox and Into Mischief also scored a win on Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis when Quality Mischief battled to victory in a one-mile and 70-yard maiden special weight.

Coming off an eighth-place finish in his debut on turf, Quality Mischief fared much better while trying dirt. He rated in midfield behind splits of :23.68, :48.87, and 1:14.81 before gaining 4 1/2 lengths through the final furlong to catch a runaway leader and prevail by a head in 1:45.33.

Solitude Dude

Another eye-catching win last week came courtesy of Solitude Dude, a Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee who smashed his debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The son of talented sprinter Yaupon dashed to the lead and widened his advantage at every call, posting splits of :23.00, :46.03, and 1:10.13 on his way to victory by 9 1/2 lengths in 1:16.40.

Although Solitude Dude’s pedigree is geared toward speed more than stamina, his talent is undeniable. If he handles two turns, he could develop into an intriguing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.

Bull by the Horns

Shortly before Solitude Dude crushed his debut, Joseph sent out Bull by the Horns to win a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream in a similar fashion.

Coming off a third-place finish in his debut sprinting seven furlongs at Gulfstream, Bull by the Horns appreciated stretching out in distance. He rated in fifth place behind fractions of :24.92 and :48.00, then launched a steady rally to take command and dominate by 6 1/2 lengths in 1:38.76.

As a son of Belmont (G1) winner Essential Quality out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) conqueror Blame, Bull by the Horns has the pedigree to improve with distance and maturity. He may have long-term upside.

Big Apple Patrick

The last maiden winner we’ll highlight is Big Apple Patrick, a Daniel Leitch trainee who debuted victorious in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight last Wednesday. The seven-furlong dirt dash was restricted to horses that brought a final bid of $65,000 or less at their most recent auction.

Facing nine rivals, Big Apple Patrick proved clearly best. He rated in sixth place as the leaders carved out modest fractions of :23.45 and :47.77 over a sloppy track, and then he launched a rally to surge past and score by two lengths in 1:26.66.

Top maiden winner of the week: Rebel Instinct

Honorable mention: Commandment