Kentucky Derby Roundup: Six Speed romps in UAE 2000 Guineas

The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 95 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Six Speed shines in UAE 2000 Guineas

Six Speed made a big move up the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard when he dominated Friday’s UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan in Dubai.

The first Middle East leg of the series awarded 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers. Six Speed earned the lion’s share in decisive fashion. Coming off back-to-back sprint wins at Meydan, the son of Not This Time set the pace and finished strongly down the homestretch to dominate by five lengths over Devon Island.

Six Speed debuts in second place on the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 20 points. Devon Island earned 10 points and settles in fifth place.

Incredibolt starts sophomore campaign in Holy Bull

Incredibolt, the stretch-running winner of the Street Sense (G3) last fall, will make his three-year-old debut in Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/16-mlie Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier awards points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis to the top five finishers. As the lone graded stakes winner in the field, Incredibolt is bound to be a popular choice, though flashy maiden winners Cannoneer and Global Aviator, plus runaway Gulfstream allowance winner Nearly, will doubtlessly attract support too.

Sleepy Hollow S. winner Bravaro, multiple stakes-placed Roger That Dana, and maiden winner Project Ace are other expected starters. Meanwhile, the Daily Racing Form reports Game for It and Buetane are expected to scratch.

Strategic Risk faces full field in Southwest

Fresh off a 4 1/2-length triumph in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, Strategic Risk will seek additional Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points in Saturday’s Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile race worth 20-10-6-4-2 points.

Silent Tactic, Baytown Dreamer, Sleepingonfreedom, and Rancho Santa Fe—who finished second through fifth in the Southwest—are back for a rematch. The above-mentioned Buetane, runner-up in the Hopeful (G1) and San Vicente (G2), is entered as well, along with his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Litmus Test, who ended 2025 with a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

Gun Runner S. runner-up Liberty National, Oaklawn allowance winner Bricklin, and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) third-place finisher Soldier N Diplomat add additional depth to the field. Maiden winners Reclamation, D’code, Circle Tap, and Spirit of Royal round out the entries.

Withers Stakes entries due on Tuesday

Entries for the one-mile Withers S. at Aqueduct are slated to be drawn on Tuesday. The field is still in flux, but it could include Aqueduct maiden winners Ottinho and Schoolyardsuperman from the barn of Chad Brown.

The top five finishers in the Withers will earn Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.

Canaletto dominates debut at Gulfstream Park

Canaletto, a half-brother to 2025 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman, looks like a possible Kentucky Derby contender in the making after smashing a one-mile maiden special weight on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Making his debut for trainer Chad Brown, the $1 million yearling acquisition raced on or near the lead through splits of :23.88, :46.60, and 1:11.22 before surging away in the homestretch to dominate by eight lengths. He clocked his final furlong in a sharp :12.31 to reach the finish line in 1:36.28.

Read more about Canaletto and other notable maiden winners in the latest Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch.

Six Speed, Canaletto join Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

Two new names have joined this week’s Kentucky Derby Power Rankings on KentuckyDerby.com.

Six Speed, the UAE 2000 Guineas winner, achieved the highest ranking in 19th place. Canaletto debuts in the 20th spot thanks to his impressive maiden win.

Six Speed and Canaletto knocked out Remington Springboard Mile S. winner Express Kid and allowance winner Jackson Hole, who previously ranked 19th and 20th.

Latest Kentucky Derby contender workouts

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

Acknowledgemeplz: Two furlongs in :24.00 on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Baytown Dreamer: Four furlongs in :47.80 on Thursday at Turfway Park.

Blackout Time: Three furlongs in :37.20 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Blacksmith: Four furlongs in :48.00 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Brant: Three furlongs in :37.80 on Thursday at Santa Anita.

Cherokee Nation: Four furlongs in :48.00 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Courting: Four furlongs in :49.53 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Desert Gate: Six furlongs in 1:13.00 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Diciassette: Four furlongs in :51.55 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Enforced Agenda: Five furlongs in 1:02.35 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Express Kid: Four furlongs in :46.82 last Tuesday at Sunland Park.

Further Ado: Three furlongs in :37.00 on Sunday at Payson Park.

Incredibolt: Five furlongs in 1:02.30 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Intrepido: Five furlongs in :59.40 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Liberty National: Four furlongs in :49.00 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Litmus Test: Four furlongs in :47.80 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Maximus Prime: Four furlongs in :48.20 on Friday at The Thoroughbred Center.

My World: Four furlongs in :49.60 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Napoleon Solo: Three furlongs in :36.45 on Wednesday at Palm Meadows.

Paladin: Four furlongs in :49.60 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Plutarch: Six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Rancho Santa Fe: Four furlongs in :48.80 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Renegade: Four furlongs in :48.69 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Royalamerican: Four furlongs in :49.36 on Thursday at Will Rogers Downs.

Silent Tactic: Five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park.

Sleepingonfreedom: Four furlongs in :48.60 on Thursday at Oaklawn Park.

Soldier N Diplomat: Five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Stradale: Four furlongs in :50.80 on Wednesday at Fair Grounds.

Strategic Risk: Five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park.

Ted Noffey: Four furlongs in :50.81 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

Universe: Four furlongs in :49.00 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Very Connected: Five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Western Man: Four furlongs in :48.87 on Thursday at Will Rogers Downs.

Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Ted Noffey (40 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)