Tipsheet: 2026 Ohio Derby

A strong cast of 10 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles over the main strip at Thistledown in Saturday’s $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3). 

Ohio Derby Picks

• #8 Desert Gate
• #10 Albus
• #3 Chip Honcho
• #5 Ocelli

Ohio Derby Wagers

• $30 win #8 Desert Gate
• $3 exacta key box 8 with 3,5,10

Ohio Derby Contenders

#1 CHAD ALLAN (6-1): Union Rags colt has moved forward since stretching out in distance in his last three and has exotics appeal in the tilt with continued ascension. The Robert Young pupil has a nice slot on the fence for his graded debut and will come from off the pace while saving ground early under Alex Chavez. 

#2 ROBUSTA (20-1): San Felipe (G2) runner-up has been outrun in a trio of races in succession while facing better and will hope for a form reversal in this spot. The dark bay son of Accelerate has good early foot on his best day and will appreciate the measure of class relief in this spot with Jaramillo in the silks. 

#3 CHIP HONCHO (3-1): Asmussen pupil was last seen checking in third in the Preakness (G1) and could be the one in this event with a forward move second time off the shelf. The Connect colt was a fine runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his lone performance at nine furlongs, and the colt will always be in range from the break with Jose Ortiz retaining the mount. 

#4 TRENDSETTER (5-1): Lexington (G3) victor was an even third in the Peter Pan (G3) in his last showing for trainer Ben Colebrook. He possesses a nice turn of foot, and if the pace backs up in the tilt, then he could make some noise in the lane with Kimura staying in the silks. 

#5 OCELLI (9-2): High-quality maiden was a late fourth in the Preakness, where the speed dominated the race, and could get a better setup in this outing. The Kentucky Derby (G1) third-place finisher might benefit from the move back to 1 1/8 miles and will be winding up approaching the turn for home under the guidance of Tyler Gaffalione. 

#6 ZIHNAL (30-1): Outside from the Thomas shedrow was a smart maiden win at Indiana last time and takes a massive class hike in this endeavor. The gelded son of Quality Road would be a huge surprise with Esquivel in the irons. 

#7 BULL BY THE HORNS (12-1): Saffie Joseph pupil made a belated run in the Preakness when sixth and shows up with blinkers on for this tilt. The Rushway S. victor has yet to prove to be fast enough to beat a field of this nature, although he could challenge for a piece late if the equipment change vaults him forward. Micah Husbands stays in the stirrups. 

#8 DESERT GATE (5-2): Top pick has yet to be headed since having blinkers added two back and is the one to catch and beat for Baffert. The Grade-2 winning Omaha Beach colt has also performed reasonably well from slightly off the pace in the past too, and he looms large with his best run under Flavien Prat. 

#9 JUPITER (30-1): Stakes-winning son of Upstart was a game allowance sprint winner on the course last time out and will make his second career dirt start today. The Nestor Rivera pupil has local experience, which is a benefit, but he is difficult to back in a race of this kind with Angel Diaz taking the reins.  

#10 ALBUS (10-1): Yaupon colt drove home to a fine score in the Wood Memorial (G2) two back, prior to finishing unplaced in the Derby at Churchill Downs for Riley Mott. The $320,000 purchase comes in with a trio of useful morning moves in anticipation of his local debut, and I think that he will be live in the stretch with Jaime Torres in the silks.