Meet the Contenders: 2026 Tampa Bay Derby
Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
March 5th, 2026
Meet the horses running in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
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Redland Rebels wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Ryan Thompson)
#1 Redland Rebels ***
Pro: Stakes-placed gelding drew well for a speed type.
Con: Improved a lot switching to turf and perhaps better on that surface.
Talkin breaking his maiden at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#2 Talkin **
Pro: Beat Further Ado on debut, albeit in a one-turn race.
Con: Form of Champagne (G1) has not held up; well beaten in Remsen (G2).
Roger That Dana wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)
#3 Roger That Dana **
Pro: Distant second last time to Commandment, who won the Fountain of Youth (G2).
Con: Has lost ground in both attempts beyond six furlongs.
TwinSpires
#4 Hulkamania **
Pro: Won well over seven furlongs here on debut and bred to stretch out.
Con: Guessing the veterans of other maiden races possess more of an edge.
TwinSpires
#5 Powershift *****
Pro: Beaten first time out but narrowly in a very fast maiden over this strip.
Con: Relative lack of experience is the main knock against.
Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Further Ado *****
Pro: Maiden winner by a pole, followed up winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).
Con: Will be a very short price, and this is likely a means to an end.
Thunder Buck wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)
#7 Thunder Buck **
Pro: New barn is having a tremendous year on multiple circuits.
Con: Threw in the towel quite readily in Lecomte (G3) with no visible excuse.
TwinSpires
#8 The Puma **
Pro: Third in Sam F. Davis S. was okay, given his relative inexperience.
Con: Still a maiden after two starts and must quicken versus these.
Canaletto winning his debut at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson)
#9 Canaletto ****
Pro: Huge eight-length debut win at Gulfstream going a mile; plenty of upside.
Con: Lacks the seasoning that his main rivals do.
