{"id":203353,"date":"2026-03-24T02:44:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T02:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/203353\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T02:44:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T02:44:08","slug":"2026-florida-derby-cheat-sheet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/203353\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Florida Derby Cheat Sheet"},"content":{"rendered":"

No prep race has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby, including four of the last 10 and five of the last 13 among 26 total winners of the run for the roses that emerged from the marquee Gulfstream Park<\/a> race.<\/p>\n

Just last year, Sovereignty<\/a> followed a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby with victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes\u00a0on his way to Horse of the Year honors.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill \u2018n\u2019 Dale Farms at Xalapa<\/a> drew a deep cast of nine 3-year-olds (which will be reduced to eight with the reported scratch of Redland Rebels). The group\u00a0includes the top-two finishers from the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes<\/a> and the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes<\/a> winner, both at Gulfstream, as well as the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby<\/a> winner for some serious Florida firepower.<\/p>\n

The Florida Derby is scheduled for 6:42 p.m. ET and will award qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve<\/a>\u00a0on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers. Racing fans can watch the Florida Derby on NBCSN<\/a> during an hour-long broadcast from 6-7 p.m. ET, and the race also will be streamed on Peacock<\/a> and televised on FanDuelTV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wagers offered on the Florida Derby are win-place-show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and super Hi-5, all of which can be made via Gulfstream Park\u2019s partner, 1\/ST BET<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at the Florida Derby field.<\/p>\n

1. Albus<\/a>\u00a0(20-1 morning-line odds)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Riley Mott<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: Pin Oak Stud<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 3 starts \u2013 1 win \u2013 0 seconds \u2013 1 third<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $36,288<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 87<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 0<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Yaupon \u2013 Adream, by Bernardini<\/p>\n

Color: Dark bay or brown<\/p>\n

Running style: Press the pace<\/p>\n

Analysis: Albus took a nice step forward in his third start to earn his first victory, powering to a 6 \u00be-length romp in a one mile and 40-yard race Feb. 27 at Tampa Bay Downs<\/a>. A dark bay or brown colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Yaupon, Albus has tactical speed and should be prominent early in the Florida Derby along with multiple speedy entrants. A $320,000 purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale, Albus was unplaced and well-beaten in his career debut in October 2025 at Keeneland<\/a> before finishing third in November at Churchill Downs<\/a>. His return from a three-month layoff showed promising progression, and Albus could be a candidate for a top-three finish if he can improve again. Elite jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who won this race in 2022 on White Abarrio, picks up the mount for trainer Riley Mott.<\/p>\n

2. Chief Wallabee<\/a>\u00a0(2-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Junior Alvarado<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Bill Mott<\/a><\/p>\n

Owners: Michael Ball and Katherine Ball<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 2 starts \u2013 1 win \u2013 1 second \u2013 0 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $117,600<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 25<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Constitution \u2013 A La Lucie, by Medaglia d\u2019Oro<\/p>\n

Color: Bay<\/p>\n

Running style: Stalker\/closer<\/p>\n

Analysis: Chief Wallabee made a nice first impression when winning his debut Jan. 10 in a sprint at Gulfstream Park by 1 \u00bd lengths, a victory that was flattered when runner-up The Puma came back to win the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby. Chief Wallabee made his stakes debut in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes<\/a> Feb. 28 and rallied gamely from off the pace but came up a neck short of Commandment after a thrilling battle through the Gulfstream stretch. Chief Wallabee and Commandment both earned a 99 Equibase Speed Figure for the Fountain of Youth, tied for the best in the Florida Derby field. Chief Wallabee is eligible to improve in his third career start for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott \u2013 he looked like he idled a bit after taking the lead at the top of the Fountain of Youth stretch but fought back when he saw Commandment to his inside \u2013 and his pedigree suggests he should relish more distance as he stretches out to 1 1\/8 miles. He\u2019s a major win candidate for Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado, who finished second in this race last year with eventual Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets winner Sovereignty.<\/p>\n

3. Wayne\u2019s Law<\/a>\u00a0(15-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Marcos Meneses<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Amador Sanchez<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: Baalbek Corp.<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 5 starts \u2013 2 wins \u2013 1 second \u2013 2 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $135,530<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 94<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 10<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Tiz the Law \u2013 Mollie Merisa, by Harlan\u2019s Holiday<\/p>\n

Color: Chestnut<\/p>\n

Running style: Press the pace<\/p>\n

Analysis: Wayne\u2019s Law owns a stakes win on the Gulfstream Park main track, dominating the one-mile Aventura Stakes by 7 \u00be lengths as a 2-year-old in September 2025 before closing out his juvenile season with a third in the Jean Lafitte Stakes in November at Delta Downs<\/a>. The Tiz the Law colt returned from a 2 \u00bd-month freshening in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis Stakes<\/a> and set the pace at 48.20-1 odds at Tampa Bay Downs before giving way late to top Kentucky Derby contender Renegade<\/a>. Wayne\u2019s Law finished 2 \u00bc lengths clear of third-place finisher The Puma in the Sam F. Davis, a second-place finish that looks even better after The Puma\u2019s subsequent Tampa Bay Derby victory. Wayne\u2019s Law should improve in his second start after the layoff with a two-turn race in 2026 under his belt and could be on or near the lead approaching the stretch, perhaps again at a big price. This is a quality Florida Derby field but Wayne\u2019s Law is a candidate to spice up the trifecta.<\/p>\n

4. Commandment<\/a>\u00a0(5-2)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Flavien Prat<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Brad Cox<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: Wathnan Racing<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 4 starts \u2013 3 wins \u2013 0 seconds \u2013 0 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $403,539<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 50<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Into Mischief \u2013 Sippican Harbor, by Orb<\/p>\n

Color: Bay<\/p>\n

Running style: Stalker<\/p>\n

Analysis: By perennial leading sire Into Mischief out of Grade 1 winner Sippican Harbor, by Orb, Commandment was a $475,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. The bay colt carries a three-race winning streak into the Florida Derby and profiles as a top win candidate with elite speed figures and back-to-back stakes victories on the main track at Gulfstream. He overwhelmed six opponents in a 6 \u00be-length runaway in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes and then outfinished Chief Wallabee by a neck after a dream inside trip in the Coolmore\u00a0Fountain of Youth Stakes. Commandment seems to be progressing with each start for trainer Brad Cox, who won the Florida Derby last year with Tappan Street<\/a>, and Flavien Prat picks up the mount. Cox and Prat have won at a 33% clip since the start of 2025 and have a great shot to add to that success with Commandment.<\/p>\n

5. Redland Rebels<\/a>\u00a0(15-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Joel Rosario<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Patrick Biancone<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: Calypso Racing Stables<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 4 starts \u2013 1 win \u2013 1 second \u2013 0 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $104,500<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 90<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 10<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Uncle Chuck \u2013 Kombat Cat, by D\u2019wildcat<\/p>\n

Color: Dark bay or brown<\/p>\n

Running style: Pacesetter<\/p>\n

Analysis:\u00a0This colt is cross-entered in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby<\/a> Saturday at Oaklawn Park<\/a>, and according to a report in Daily Racing Form will run in that race instead of the Florida Derby.\u00a0<\/p>\n

6. Nearly<\/a>\u00a0(3-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: John Velazquez<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Todd Pletcher<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: Centennial Farms<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 4 starts \u2013 3 wins \u2013 0 seconds \u2013 0 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $249,900<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 92<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 20<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Not This Time \u2013 Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft<\/p>\n

Color: Dark bay or brown<\/p>\n

Running style: Stalker\/press the pace<\/p>\n

Analysis: Nearly has not raced since dominating the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes<\/a> by 5 \u00be lengths Jan. 31 on the main track at Gulfstream Park. The week after the Holy Bull, the Not This Time colt moved up to second on Byron King\u2019s Derby Dozen and first in the NTRA top 3-year-olds poll. Seven-plus weeks later so much has changed on the Derby trail, but Nearly remains in a prime slot in third on both lists. The Florida Derby is, however, a make-or-break race for Nearly in terms of the Kentucky Derby. Sure, he\u2019s won three straight races by margins ranging from five to 9 \u00bc lengths, but he only has 20 qualifying points to date and thus might need a top-two finish to guarantee his spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs May 2. Nearly has been working steadily for this race since the Holy Bull. He fast, well-bred, and his tactical speed makes him formidable for eight-time Florida Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez, a six-time winner of the race. Hall of Famers Pletcher and Velazquez teamed to win the Florida Derby four times with Materiality (2015), Always Dreaming (2017), Audible (2018), and Fierceness (2024).<\/p>\n

7. Timeless Victory<\/a>\u00a0(20-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Jose Morelos<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Eddie Plesa\u00a0Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n

Owners: Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing, and Laurie Plesa<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 6 starts \u2013 3 wins \u2013 0 seconds \u2013 2 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $106,390<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 83<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 0<\/p>\n

Pedigree: By My Standards \u2013 Memento, by Nyquist<\/p>\n

Color: Bay<\/p>\n

Running style: Stalker\/press the pace<\/p>\n

Analysis: Timeless Victory won an allowance-optional claiming race at this track and 1 1\/8-mile distance by six lengths in his most recent start on March 1 for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.\u00a0He earned a career-best Equibase Speed Figure and equaled his career-best Beyer Speed Figure in the win while improving to two wins and one third in three starts on dirt (he made his first three starts on turf or all-weather surfaces). While he\u2019s established a preference for racing on dirt, Timeless Victory will need to improve significantly in the Florida Derby. He was unplaced and well-beaten in his lone previous stakes try, albeit on the grass, and must boost his speed figures by 10-15 points to be in the mix for a top-three finish. On the plus side, Timeless Victory has a win at this distance and hails from the family of Belmont Stakes winners Jazil (2006) and Rags to Riches<\/a> (2007), so stamina should not be an issue. Timeless Victory will be the final starter for Plesa Jr. after the trainer, a presence in Florida racing for more than five decades, told Tom Pedulla of Paulick Report\u00a0on March 23 that he would retire at week\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

8. The Puma<\/a>\u00a0(9-2)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Javier Castellano<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado<\/a><\/p>\n

Owners: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 3 starts \u2013 1 win \u2013 1 second \u2013 1 third<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $244,280<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 95<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 56<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Essential Quality \u2013 Eve of War, by Declaration of War<\/p>\n

Color: Chestnut<\/p>\n

Running style: Closer<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Puma needed three starts to earn the first victory of his career, but he did so in style in the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby March 7 and had shown plenty of potential before the breakthrough win. To start off he led in the stretch of his career debut Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park before settling for second behind Florida Derby opponent Chief Wallabee. The Puma next finished third in his stakes debut in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, a race won by top Kentucky Derby candidate Renegade. Then, the Essential Quality colt took care of business in the Tampa Bay Derby despite racing wide throughout with an eye-catching rally to defeat Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes<\/a> winner Further Ado<\/a> by three-quarters of a length. The Puma very likely earned sufficient qualifying points to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby field with his game Tampa Bay Derby win, but his connections felt another prep race would benefit the lightly raced colt. Trainer Gustavo Delgado finished second in the Florida Derby in 2023 with Mage, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby. The Puma\u2019s jockey, Javier Castellano, won the 2014 Florida Derby aboard Constitution and guided Mage to victory in the Kentucky Derby.<\/p>\n

9. Gregarious<\/a>\u00a0(50-1)<\/p>\n

Jockey: Rajiv Maragh<\/a><\/p>\n

Trainer: Jose Castro<\/a><\/p>\n

Owner: JC Racing Stable<\/a><\/p>\n

Career record: 1 start \u2013 0 wins \u2013 1 second \u2013 0 thirds<\/p>\n

Career earnings: $14,960<\/p>\n

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 72<\/p>\n

Kentucky Derby points: 0<\/p>\n

Pedigree: Mo Town \u2013 Ultimatum, by Mineshaft<\/p>\n

Color: Dark bay or brown<\/p>\n

Running style: Pacesetter<\/p>\n

Analysis: Gregarious almost certainly will carry the highest odds in the field for the Florida Derby. The dark bay or brown colt by Mo Town finished second in his lone previous start Feb. 21 at this track and 1 1\/8-mile distance to Autobahn<\/a>, who finished last of nine in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby<\/a> last week. Gregarious would need to boost his Equibase Speed Figure by about 25 points while stepping up to stakes competition for the first time in a major Kentucky Derby prep race. He set strong fractions and opened up a clear early advantage in his debut, so expect Gregarious to be prominent early and very likely a key component in shaping the pace of the Florida Derby. It would be a surprise to see him still in contention in deep stretch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"No prep race has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby, including four of the last…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":203354,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":{"0":"post-203353","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-florida","8":"tag-florida","9":"tag-florida-headlines","10":"tag-florida-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203353\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/203354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}