Kentucky Derby Trail Heats Up

Jan 31st, 2026

So Far In 2026 Our Exotic Predictions Have Paid $411,257

Derby Trail Kicks Off at Gulfstream

The first major Florida stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby arrives today at Gulfstream, and this year's $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) is absolutely loaded with future star potential. This is the race that launched Go for Gin, Funny Cide, and the incomparable Barbaro toward Derby glory—and someone in this field could be next.

THE BUZZ: All eyes are on Cannoneer, the $1.75 million Into Mischief colt who absolutely destroyed a seven-furlong maiden field at Churchill Downs, exploding by 7¼ lengths. Trained by Brad Cox for an ownership group including Jackpot Farm, this half-brother to Haskell winner Girvin and Preakness runner-up Midnight Bourbon has pedigree written all over him. He's never tried two turns, but if his debut was any indication, the Holy Bull might be just the beginning.

THE CONTENDER: Don't sleep on Nearly, Todd Pletcher's Not This Time colt who romped by 4¾ lengths in an allowance win at Gulfstream. Pletcher has won the Holy Bull twice before with Algorithms and Audible, and Johnny V has the call. The 9-5 morning line favorite for good reason.

THE WILDCARD: Incredibolt enters as the only horse in the field with Derby points after rallying from last to capture the Street Sense Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Trained by Riley Mott, son of Hall of Famer Bill Mott, this Bolt d'Oro colt knows how to close. Can the Motts pull off a family Derby dream?

ALSO WATCH: New York-bred stakes winner Bravaro ships in undefeated for Pegasus World Cup hero trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who knows a thing or two about developing Holy Bull winners (White Abarrio, 2022).

The fillies take center stage today in an absolutely stacked $175,000 Forward Gal (G3) featuring four stakes winners ready to throw down.

CHECK OUT: Florida's own Mythical launches her 3-year-old campaign looking to add a fifth stakes trophy to her collection. The Arindel homebred finished her juvenile season winning five of six, including the Adirondack (G3) at Saratoga and back-to-back Florida Sire Stakes scores. She's 3-for-3 at Gulfstream and loves racing at home. Edgard Zayas picks up the mount.

HEAVY HITTER: Morning line favorite On Time Girl (9-5) brings the Brad Cox firepower. The Not This Time filly avenged her only career loss with a dominant 3½-length Fern Creek Stakes victory at Churchill. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides, and Cox is seeking his fourth Forward Gal winner in the past few years.

DANGER: Don't overlook Tessellate, who demolished her Gasparilla Stakes rivals by 2¾ lengths at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this month for Saffie Joseph Jr. That's a trainer on an absolute tear right now.

While the youngsters battle it out east, Santa Anita hosts the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (G2), a fascinating older horse showdown with sire power on full display. Two sons of Curlin headline: Getaway Car from the Bob Baffert barn and veteran Midnight Mammoth, who enters off a career-best 99 Beyer in an allowance win three weeks ago.

Getaway Car captured last year's Sunland Park Derby but hasn't found the winner's circle since. Meanwhile, Westwood, who finished third in last year's Santa Anita Derby for John Shirreffs, sheds the blinkers hoping to find his best form. Pony Express, a Gun Runner son trained by John Sadler, adds depth to a competitive field.

Also on tap is the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3).

Will Then looks to bounce back from a gutsy third-place finish in the Grade 1 American Oaks, where she was beaten just ¾ of a length. Hall of Famer Mike Smith picks up the mount for the first time as the War of Will filly cuts back in distance and drops in class. Keep an eye on Sigh No More, making her California debut for Phil D'Amato after winning the Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Tampa Bay Downs celebrates its centennial season with twin $175,000 Grade 3 turf events - the Endeavour S. and the Tampa Bay S. - on a jam-packed Saturday of stakes action across Florida. Both races attract quality shippers looking to stretch their legs over the Oldsmar oval's pristine grass course. With Gulfstream running the Holy Bull card simultaneously, turf-loving handicappers will have their hands full toggling between coasts!

The polar vortex wreaked havoc across racing this week:

Oaklawn - The Southwest S. (G3) and entire weekend card postponed to next Friday (Feb. 6).
Aqueduct - The Withers S., a key Kentucky Derby prep, rescheduled to February 6
Turfway - All racing canceled through the week

This weekend marks a pivotal moment on the Triple Crown trail. The Holy Bull winner could emerge as a genuine Kentucky Derby contender, and with heavyweights like Cannoneer, Nearly, and Incredibolt all making their 3-year-old bows, we're about to learn a lot about who has the goods to compete on the first Saturday in May.

The fillies aren't backing down either - Mythical and On Time Girl are among the most talented juveniles we've seen in years, and their Forward Gal showdown could be the race of the day.

Grab your hot cocoa, sign in, pick up your E-Z Win^® Forms, and get ready - the 2026 Derby trail is officially underway.

Not Your Grandpa's Game
by Ed Meyer

Bettors like it quick and rapid fire. Get more action in your allotted time for betting. Gaming sounds like a chubby kid jumping rope outside. Being called a gambler was a badge I was always proud to wear. - Long ago there were nine races and 35 minutes in between post times. Then you added a track from your state, and it was called intrastate wagering. One track inside your home state to wager and how sweet it was. Then the explosion of the entire bevy of tracks you've only read about and now have the opportunity to watch and wager. Speed is king in the world of betting. It is up to the powers that be to give the people what they want and how to serve it up.

Recent Big 'Uns

Santa Anita

Jan 25 (R 9)

$1 Super High 5

$7,842.30

Tampa Bay Downs

Jan 21 (R 6)

50¢ S5 (KEY)

$5,750.15

Gulfstream

Jan 22 (R 10)

$1 S5 (KEY)

$5,513.90

Santa Anita

Jan 30 (R 8)

$1 S5 (KEY)

$4,313.50

Laurel

Jan 23 (R 1)

$1 Super (KEY)

$3,115.10

Tampa Bay Downs

Jan 25 (R 2)

$1 S5 (KEY)

$2,614.60

Tampa Bay Downs

Jan 25 (R 1-5)

50¢ Pick 5

$1,401.95

Turf Paradise

Jan 28 (R 6)

50¢ Trifecta

$867.35

Tampa Bay Downs

Jan 24 (R 5)

$1 S5 (BOX)

$838.80

Upcoming Weekend Stakes Races

Saturday, Jan 31st

Gulfstream
$250,000 Holy Bull S. (G3)
$175,000 Forward Gal S. (G3)
$175,000 Kitten's Joy S.
$175,000 Swale S.
$175,000 Sweetest Chant S.
Santa Anita
$200,000 San Pasqual S. (G2)
$100,000 Megahertz S. (G3)
Tampa Bay
$175,000 Endeavour S. (G3)
$175,000 Tampa Bay S. (G3)

Testimonials

"Dear Winning Ponies,

Another bone crushing win has been delivered by your service ($25 Super paid over $87,000!).

I took your Top Horse - Maximum Security for the Florida Derby and put it on top of the next four horses and connected for a big win.

Made a mistake by not betting the exacta or the trifecta, which paid out very nice, but this will have to suffice for now :-)

I'm pretty sure we killed the payout and were paid half of the pool for all superfectas."

- Mark A., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Picks/Results For 2019 Florida Derby

"Love the winning ponies in the mud angle this time of year just hit early pic 4 as well as 20 exb in the 3rd and in the second 5 came second woulda had 20 on the 98 dad but can't win em all and I woulda took out the pic 4 pool X 2$$$$$$$ Thanks WP"

- John O., Grand Island, NY.

Picks/Results For Early Pick 4 at Finger Lakes

3370 N Hayden Rd #205

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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