How to bet the 2026 UAE Derby

The Europe/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby ends on Saturday morning U.S. time with the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan in Dubai. It’s drawn a decent field, and two horses can potentially earn a spot in the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) by finishing in the first two.

Race 4, 9:30 a.m. ET: UAE Derby (G2), 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles), dirt, open, $1 million

• $10 win/$30 show: #3 Six Speed ($40)
• $1 Trifecta: 1, 3 with 1, 3, 5 with 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12 ($16)

This often goes the way of the Japanese, with winners including Forever Young and last year’s victor Admire Daytona, and they have two solid chances here in #1 Pyromancer and #2 Wonder Dean. Pyromancer contests the race, having won the second leg of the Japan Road to the Derby, the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun; at his previous start, he beat Wonder Dean at Kyoto.

Wonder Dean has since finished fourth in the Saudi Derby, won by Al Haram, who couldn’t make it here from Saudi Arabia due to war-related travel issues. He should go well again, but on form, Pyromancer is the better Japanese runner.

However, for once, I think the locals may have the winning of the race. #3 Six Speed couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the UAE 2,000 Guineas (G3) from #7 Devon Island and #9 Union Security; his trainer wasn’t sure he would stay past a mile, but everything about the way he races suggests he will.

The other big local hopes are the UAE Oaks (G3) winner #12 Labwah and the unpredictable #5 Salloom. The latter had locals thinking he was a superstar when he won his debut, but he then broke through the gates when favorite for the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes Feb. 20 and didn’t participate in a race won by #6 Brotherly Love.

Salloom will need to improve his manners to be competitive in what is likely to be an even bigger crowd here. I’m not sure I’m willing to trust him. On the other hand, Six Speed looks like the real deal for me, and I’m going to support him.