Gulfstream Park kicks off its at all times influential prep sequence for the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve Saturday with the 37th working of the Holy Bull Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds held on Gulfstream’s dust monitor provides a handbag of $275,000 and a complete of 42 qualifying factors for the Could 2 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, distributed on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale to the highest 5 finishers. The Holy Bull will likely be adopted by the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 26 and the Curlin Florida Derby on March 28 to finish Gulfstream’s Kentucky Derby prep sequence.
This 12 months’s Holy Bull drew a stable subject together with graded stakes winner Incredibolt in addition to Cannoneer and Almost, “buzz” horses from the barns of Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher, respectively. The race will likely be broadcast on FanDuel TV and likewise be streamed stay on NBC’s Peacock platform as a part of the 1/ST Racing Tour on NBC. Put up time is ready for five:45 p.m. ET.
Learn on for details about the Holy Bull contenders plus some playing insights.
1. Incredibolt
Jockey: Jaime Torres
Coach: Riley Mott
Proprietor: Pin Oak Stud
Profession document: 3 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $196,181
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 94
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Bolt d’Oro – Sapphire Spitfire, by Superior Once more
Colour: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Stalker/nearer
Evaluation: Incredibolt is the one starter on this 12 months’s Holy Bull to have already earned Kentucky Derby qualifying factors, having executed so in his last 2025 begin, the Avenue Sense Stakes Oct. 26 at Churchill Downs. He rallied strongly within the stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile Avenue Sense by 1 ¾ lengths, value 10 Derby factors, and that adopted a equally spectacular two-length rating in a one-turn mile maiden race at Churchill in late September. Since that victory, this Bolt d’Oro colt has been flying considerably below the radar in contrast with different Kentucky Derby prospects which have received more moderen stakes races. He’s been coaching steadily in south Florida for Riley Mott, and will grow to be the primary viable Derby contender for Mott, whose father, Invoice, has received two editions of the Derby, together with final 12 months’s race with Sovereignty. If he continues the event proven in his last two begins at age 2 in his 3-year-old bow, Incredibolt will likely be a significant participant within the Holy Bull.
Jockey: Renzo Rojas
Coach: Luis Ramirez
Proprietor: Smith Ranch Stables
Profession document: 3 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $103,200
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 82
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Superior Slew – Take Me to Zuber, by Toccet
Colour: Bay
Working fashion: Press the tempo/stalker
Evaluation: Native contender Roger That Dana received his profession debut in a six-furlong Gulfstream Park dash again in October and since then has completed third by 10 ¼ lengths in a 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream stakes for Florida-breds and second by 6 ¾ lengths to Commandment within the Jan. 3, one-mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes at this monitor. His two margins of defeat in stakes races don’t bode effectively for Roger That Dana’s win probabilities taking a step up in school Saturday; alternatively, that is Roger That Dana’s dwelling base and the most effective alternative for his connections to see if he’s bought sufficient expertise to leap on the Kentucky Derby path. Search for him to be a part of the early tempo as his maiden win sprinting got here when main from begin to end.
3. Venture Ace
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Coach: Dale Romans
Proprietor: Albaugh Household Stables
Profession document: 3 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $77,245
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 83
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Struggle of Will – Loads O’Toole, by Tiznow
Colour: Bay
Working fashion: Nearer
Evaluation: This colt makes his stakes debut after displaying enchancment in every of his three begins in Kentucky for coach and U.S. Senate candidate Dale Romans. Venture Ace completed a distant third in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Churchill Downs, however then simply missed when stretching out to 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland in October, closing quick alongside the rail and shedding by a nostril. He made his subsequent begin at Churchill Downs on Nov. 15, and rallied from final alongside the within once more to win the 1 1/16-mile race by a head. Venture Ace, who has been coaching in Florida over the previous a number of weeks, and profiles as a stone-cold nearer who will want a quick tempo and a trouble-free journey to arrange his kick. Ending within the top-three with one other late run just isn’t out of the query, however he’s a longshot to win.
Jockey: Joe Bravo
Coach: Rohan Crichton
Proprietor: Particular Aviators (Rohan Crichton)
Profession document: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $24,000
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 80
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: World Marketing campaign – Frisco Woman, by High quality Highway
Colour: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Stalker
Evaluation: Proprietor-trainer Rohan Crichton is ambitiously getting into this colt within the Holy Bull Stakes off of a single begin – a neck win in a six-furlong maiden race held at Gulfstream on Nov. 29. World Aviator bought away to a sluggish begin in that race and trailed the sphere early earlier than rallying into competition with an eye catching transfer within the flip, taking the lead on the stretch, and holding on by a neck over an odds-on favourite. The World Marketing campaign colt has a pedigree that signifies he’s finest suited to dash and one-mile races, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how veteran jockey Joe Bravo (who was aboard within the debut win) rides him as he returns off of a two-month break and stretches out round two turns. He’s a longshot who should enhance considerably to attain a Holy Bull upset.
5. Cannoneer
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Coach: Brad Cox
Homeowners: St. Elias Secure and Stonestreet Stables
Profession document: 2 begins – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $81,300
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 99
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon
Colour: Bay
Working fashion: Pacesetter
Evaluation: Cannoneer sits excessive in Kentucky Derby future books and on many analysts’ contender lists regardless of having not run in a stakes and even in a two-turn race, and he has a superb likelihood to be the post-time favourite within the Holy Bull. Expectations have been excessive for this son of main sire Into Mischief for greater than a 12 months: he was a $1.75 million buy as a yearling and was a heavy favourite in his debut final summer season at Churchill Downs. Cannoneer broke slowly and drained after dueling for the early lead in that race, a 5 ½-furlong sprint, and he didn’t make his second begin till the tip of Churchill’s November meet. In that race, although, he turned each head on the monitor and watching on all gadgets with an explosive 7 ¼-length romp in a seven-furlong race. He’s bred to simply deal with route races as a half-brother to Preakness Stakes runner-up Midnight Bourbon and Haskell Invitational Stakes and Louisiana Derby winner Girvin, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard in November, retains the mount for the Holy Bull. Cannoneer managed the tempo in his breakout win, and Ortiz Jr. figures to make use of the identical technique on Gulfstream’s speed-favoring monitor. Come 6 p.m. ET Saturday, we’ll see if the hype round this colt is justified.
6. Buetane (WITHDRAWN)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Coach: Bob Baffert
Proprietor: Zedan Racing Stables
Profession document: 3 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $148,000
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 96
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Tiz the Legislation – Taboo, by Forestry
Colour: Chestnut
Working fashion: Stalker
Evaluation: Buetane is cross-entered in one other Kentucky Derby prep scheduled for Saturday, the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and a report from Horse Racing Nation on Jan. 26 said that the California-based colt, who has completed second in two graded stakes by three begins, wouldn’t ship to Gulfstream Park for the Holy Bull after his flight was canceled.
7. Almost
Jockey: John Velazquez
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Proprietor: Centennial Farms
Profession document: 3 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $78,950
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 92
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Not This Time – Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft
Colour: Darkish bay or brown
Working fashion: Stalker
Evaluation: Almost hasn’t fairly obtained the eye from Kentucky Derby analysts as has Cannoneer, however buzz is constructing shortly about this colt and he has an opportunity to shake up the contender rankings big-time Saturday. The Florida-bred colt by red-hot stallion Not This Time completed a distant sixth in New York again in his October debut, however he improved by leaps and bounds as soon as despatched to Gulfstream Park in November, romping by 9 ¼ lengths in a six-furlong dash towards fellow state-breds after which taking a seven-furlong allowance race by 5 lengths. Almost was bumped onerous initially of that allowance race on Jan. 2, but recovered and received going away below John Velazquez. That Corridor of Fame rider will journey Almost Saturday and may have him positioned inside hanging distance of possible pacesetter Cannoneer. He has the home-track benefit over that rival and loads of room to enhance his ascending pace figures in profession begin quantity 4.
8. Bravaro
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Coach: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Homeowners: Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables, and Paul Braverman
Profession document: 2 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $154,000
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 90
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Upstart – Opera Star, by Tamarkuz
Colour: Bay
Working fashion: Stalker
Evaluation: This New York-bred profiles as an intriguing longshot within the Holy Bull as he enters the race undefeated in two begins. Each of these occurred final fall on the Belmont at Massive A (Aqueduct) meet, the place Bravaro received a six-furlong dash by a size after which impressed within the one-mile Sleepy Hole Stakes, driving clear to a 2 ½-length victory. These wins got here towards New York-breds, so he’ll be taking a step up in school Saturday. However, he’s skilled by domestically primarily based Saffie Joseph Jr. and has been working steadily for Joseph at close by Palm Meadows Coaching Heart. Tyler Gaffalione, who received the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes aboard Skippylongstocking for Joseph at Gulfstream Jan. 24, ought to have Bravaro sitting in midpack among the many Holy Bull subject and in good place to make a bid for the lead on the far flip. Even when he suffers a primary profession defeat, this runner has an opportunity to complete effectively sufficient to earn some Kentucky Derby factors and goal extra invaluable prep races within the weeks forward.
9. Recreation for It (SCRATCHED)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Coach: Chad Summers
Homeowners: Gold Sq., Wynnstay, and Chad Summers
Profession document: 1 begin – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $38,500
Prime Equibase Pace Determine: 71
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Recognized Agenda – Manahatta, by Previous Normal
Colour: Chestnut
Working fashion: Press the tempo/stalker
Evaluation: Like Bravaro, Recreation for It’s a New York shipper, and he’s additionally coming into the Holy Bull Stakes alongside World Aviator with one profession begin to his credit score. Recreation for It’s race got here Dec. 10 at Aqueduct and it was a powerful debut, as he overcame a stumble initially to rally and win a six-furlong dash by a half-length because the odds-on favourite. This colt by 2021 Florida Derby winner Recognized Agenda has been working in Florida in latest weeks for coach and co-owner Chad Summers and he has the pedigree to deal with 1 1/16 miles. Nonetheless, making the soar from a maiden race to a stakes race on the Kentucky Derby path is formidable to say the least. Recreation for It might want to enhance his debut pace determine by about 25 factors to have a shot on the upset. UPDATE: David Grening of Every day Racing Type reported Jan. 26 that Chad Summers mentioned Recreation for It will most certainly be withdrawn from the Holy Bull Stakes and goal one other Kentucky Derby prep.
New to racing? Allow us to clarify…
A maiden race is a race restricted to horses that haven’t received earlier than. There are two essential kinds of maiden races. The primary, maiden particular weight races, often draw horses which can be extra invaluable to their homeowners and have increased purses. Maiden claiming races are for non-winners which can be provided on the market, and will be purchased or “claimed” by new homeowners who safe possession earlier than the race is run.
