Tipsheet: 2026 Delaware Derby

A nice cast of seven sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles over the main strip at Delaware Park in Saturday’s $300,000 Delaware Derby. 

Delaware Derby Picks

• #6 Big Cuddle
• #4 Litmus Test
• #1 Minorinconvenience

Delaware Derby Wagers

• $20 win #6 Big Cuddle
• $5 exacta key box 6 with 1,4

Delaware Derby Contenders

#1 MINORINCONVENIENCE: Gray son of Mendelssohn was a distant third in the Sir Barton S. at Laurel Park last out and has room for improvement on Saturday. The Amelia Green trainee didn’t have a fast pace to rally into in his latest but figures to receive a better setup on this day. The gelding will save ground early from the rail under Luis Saez. 

#2 CODE OF SILENCE: Dark bay son of Blofeld ran into a buzzsaw in the Federico Tesio S. in his latest showing but is a nice fit with this cast and has exotics potential in this spot. The stakes-winning Maryland-bred was a close second in the Private Terms S. two back and will challenge for a share with something resembling that performance beneath Jevian Toledo. 

#3 OUT OF THE WOODS: D’Amato pupil is in good form with a pair of wins in succession and has the speed to force the action from the break in his local bow. The chestnut son of Constitution has improved since focusing on the dirt and beat a nice allowance field at Churchill Downs in his latest endeavor. The Kentucky-bred gelding will have John Velazquez in the stirrups. 

#4 LITMUS TEST: Dangerous colt from the Baffert barn has faced tons better in his lifetime and is the class of the cast. The Grade-2 winning son of Nyquist is often quick from the gate, and I expect him to be right there in the early going, with class relief for a potent conditioner with shippers. Jose Ortiz inherits the mount. 

#5 SOVEREIGN LAW: Brad Cox charge broke his maiden two back at Gulfstream Park prior to running a nice second in an allowance at Churchill Downs in his two-turn debut. The Into Mischief colt is improving with each race and surely deserves a look in the well-matched field with another step in the right direction. Irad will be in the saddle. 

#6 BIG CUDDLE: Top pick is three-for-four in his lifetime and was quite impressive in defeating the talented Final Story to bag the Sir Barton most recently. The son of Great Notion moved forward with the addition of blinkers last time in his turf bow and could take another step in the right direction second time with the hood on, as well. Yedsit Hazlewood will pilot the bay colt. 

#7 PONDER AND DREAM: Butch Reid has won or placed in all seven lifetime runs to date and comes off a nice tally against state-bred foes at Parx most recently. The Uncle Lino colt draws outside for his stakes debut in his toughest test to date, but he could be up to the task and get a minor award under Mychel Sanchez.