Kentucky Derby Roundup: Nearly is the new hot horse

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 89 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Nearly survives speed duel in Holy Bull

Last Saturday at Gulfstream Park, the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3) awarded Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points on a 20-10-6-4-2 split to the top five finishers. Nearly won the lion’s share in decisive fashion, in the process vaulting to the top of the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard.

Nearly could have faded after dueling with favored Cannoneer through hot fractions of :22.82, :45.96, and 1:10.32. He did decelerate down the homestretch, but nevertheless pulled away from the pack to win easily by 5 3/4 lengths.

The final time was 1:44.52. Bravaro closed from just off the pace to take second place by a clear margin over stretch-running Project Ace. Cannoneer and Global Aviator rounded out the top five, while Incredibolt—winner of the Street Sense (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby last fall—disappointed in his sophomore debut and finished last out of six.

Both Bravaro and Project Ace cracked the Top 20 on the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard, ranking 15th and 20th. Incredibolt sits 13th, one spot higher than last week, thanks to two defections from the leaderboard (see below).

Baffert enters three in Robert B. Lewis

Six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert has won the last seven editions of the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. On Saturday, he’ll send out three horses in search of an eighth straight win in the one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier.

Desert Gate, runner-up in the American Pharoah (G1) and Del Mar Futurity (G1), leads the Baffert brigade. He’s joined by Cherokee Nation, fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), and Plutarch, the third-place finisher from the American Pharoah.

However, it’s possible that favoritism could fall to Intrepido, the American Pharoah winner who exits a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Intrepido hails from the barn of Jeff Mullins.

Gold Rush Futurity winner Briggs Armypower and maiden winners Robusta and Secured Freedom complete the lineup.

Renegade to start sophomore season in Sam F. Davis

Entries for Saturday’s Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs won’t be drawn until Wednesday, but the field for the 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby is expected to feature several promising names.

According to the Daily Racing Form, the prospective field includes Renegade, runner-up in the Remsen (G2) last fall, and Confessional, second to Nearly in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park last month.

Field remains unchanged for postponed Southwest

Winter weather forced the postponement of the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park from last Saturday to this Friday. Better late than never, the 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier will award its 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.

The field remains unchanged, with Smarty Jones S. 1-2-3-4-5 finishers Strategic Risk, Silent Tactic, Baytown Dreamer, Sleepingonfreedom, and Rancho Santa Fe slated to face stakes-experienced rivals Buetane, Litmus Test, Liberty National, and Soldier N Diplomat, as well as allowance winner Bricklin and maiden winners Reclamation, D’code, Circle Tap, and Spirit of Royal.

Postponed Withers draws seven-horse field

The 1 1/8-mile Withers S. at Aqueduct was likewise postponed from last Saturday to this Friday. Seven horses will seek the 20-10-6-4-2 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points up for grabs.

Aqueduct maiden winners Schoolyardsuperman and Ottinho, both trained by Chad Brown, are two highly regarded contenders. They’ll face Remsen (G2) fifth-place finish Grittiness, Parx Future Stars S. winner Mailata, promising New York-breds Talk to Me Jimmy and Fourth and One, and allowance winner Star Sweeper.

Potente, $2.4 million yearling, wins his debut

Potente, who sold for $2.4 million as a yearling, debuted victorious in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Trained by Bob Baffert, the son of Into Mischief dueled from start to finish with Captain Shreve and ultimately prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:10.65.

Learn more about Potente and other notable maiden winners in the latest edition of Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Ted Noffey off the Derby trail with bone bruising

Ted Noffey, the champion two-year-old male of 2025 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and Hopeful (G1), is off the Kentucky Derby trail.

The Daily Racing Form reports Ted Noffey has bone bruising and will be given a 90-day break, forcing him to miss the Triple Crown.

Prior to his defection, Ted Noffey ranked atop the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification leaderboard with 40 points. He was the individual favorite in each of the first three Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools.

Spice Runner, winner of the Iroquois (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, is also off the Derby trail. He hasn’t posted a timed workout since finishing 11th in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile S.

Nearly vaults to top of Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

The defection of Ted Noffey and the results of the Holy Bull have propelled Nearly to the top of the Kentucky Derby Power Rankings on KentuckyDerby.com.

Previously ranked 16th, Nearly takes over the first-place slot from Ted Noffey. The rest of the rankings saw only minor shifts, except for Incredibolt, who plunged from 13th to 20th following his disappointing showing in the Holy Bull.

Tying Incredibolt for the 20th and final spot is Solitude Dude. The unbeaten colt brought his record to 3-for-3 with an easy win in the seven-furlong Swale S. on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Latest Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Road to the Kentucky Derby points earners:

Blackout Time: Four furlongs in :49.40 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Blacksmith: Five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Brant: Four furlongs in :48.80 on Thursday at Santa Anita.

Carson Street: Four furlongs in :49.80 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Chip Honcho: Five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Civil Liberty: Five furlongs in 1:03.00 on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Courting: Four furlongs in :49.61 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Desert Gate: Five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Further Ado: Four furlongs in :49.40 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Golden Tempo: Four furlongs in :49.60 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Intrepido: Five furlongs in 1:02.20 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Liberty National: Four furlongs in :48.20 on Monday at Fair Grounds.

Litmus Test: Five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Mesquite: Four furlongs in :48.40 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

My World: Five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Napoleon Solo: Four furlongs in :49.05 on Wednesday at Palm Meadows.

Paladin: Four furlongs in :49.80 on Friday at Payson Park.

Plutarch: Six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Renegade: Four furlongs in :48.87 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Talkin: Four furlongs in :50.50 on Thursday at Palm Meadows.

Universe: Four furlongs in :48.20 on Monday at Fair Grounds.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Nearly (20 points)
2. Golden Tempo (20 points)
3. Litmus Test (19 points)
4. Chip Honcho (14 points)
5. Intrepido (13 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Hawk Mountain (20 points)
2. Six Speed (20 points)
3. Puerto Rico (10 points)
4. Bow Echo (10 points)
5. Devon Island (10 points)

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby top five

1. Pyromancer (20 points)
2. Tamamo Freesia (10 points)
3. Satono Voyage (10 points)
4. Best Green (6 points)
5. Don Erectus (5 points)