Tipsheet: 2026 Florida Derby

A fantastic field of eight sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. 

Florida Derby Picks

• #4 Commandment
• #2 Chief Wallabee
• #6 Nearly
• #8 The Puma

Florida Derby Wagers

• $25 win #4 Commandment
• $4 trifecta key 4 with 2,6,8

Florida Derby Contenders

#1 ALBUS: Riley Mott trainee broke his maiden with authority at Tampa last time out and has shown improvement with each career run in advance of his stakes debut. The dark bay son of Yaupon faces a tall task in his second run of the season, but the colt has a nice slot on the rail and will have Tyler Gaffalione in the silks. 

#2 CHIEF WALLABEE: Bill Mott trainee was a fine debut winner locally and followed that effort up with a huge second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) most recently. The Constitution homebred has earned triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace ratings in both runs to date and will handle the transition to nine furlongs with ease in this endeavor. Junior Alvarado will guide the exciting prospect. 

#3 WAYNE’S LAW: Stakes winner from the barn of Amador Sanchez was last seen staying on for a good second in the Sam F. Davis S. in his latest venture and is not impossible with a move forward in this spot. The chestnut son of Tiz the Law will be forwardly placed from the opening bell over a surface where he is two-for-three in his lifetime. Marcos Meneses will take the reins. 

#4 COMMANDMENT: Top pick from the barn of Brad Cox has rolled home in three straight, led by a visually impressive tally in the Fountain of Youth in his second run of the season. The $500,000 son of Into Mischief is bred to run long and is two-for-two on the local strip, and the bay drilled a bullet five-eighths in preparation for this tilt, as well. Flavien Prat inherits the mount. 

#6 NEARLY: Not This Time colt has dominated a trio of fields in succession on the surface leading up to this tilt and has recorded a pair of bullet morning drills in advance of his toughest test to date. The $350,000 yearling purchase has substantial early foot combined with a fine closing burst, and he draws on the outside of two of his main foes in the group, too. Regular pilot John Velazquez will take the reins. 

#7 TIMELESS VICTORY: Eddie Plesa pupil romped in an allowance event on the course last time and will make his graded stakes debut in this one. The bay son of By My Standards is improving but faces a tall task in this particular event, with Jose Morelos taking the reins. 

#8 THE PUMA: Tampa Bay Derby (G3) star has run three good ones to begin his career, and the son of Essential Quality is a win threat for Delgado. The chestnut colt has closed well in each race to date and will appreciate the added ground on Saturday. Javier Castellano will be in the stirrups and have the talented colt stalking the pace from the break. 

#9 GREGARIOUS: Dark bay son of Mo Town was a smart second to a fine winner in a debut run going long on the oval at nine furlongs, but this is a demanding spot for the once-raced sophomore. The $50,000 purchase looks to be a solid prospect in the future, but I can’t endorse him against this fine field. Rajiv Maragh inherits the mount.