Look for the 2026 Kentucky Derby winner this weekend If Kentucky Derby prep races are like minor league hockey, then this weekend’s races are the American Hockey League while the others are the East Coast Hockey League. I.e., you’re much more likely to see a superstar in this weekend’s U.A.E., Florida, and/or Arkansas Derbys than last week’s Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks or next week’s Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby. The U.A.E. Derby kicks things off on Saturday morning as part of the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse and features three potential Derby contenders in Pyromancer, an undefeated Godolphin homebred from Japan, U.A.E. 2000 Guineas winner Six Speed, and hotshot maiden winner Shalloom. Six Speed is the horse I am the most excited about, as Pyromancer faces some questions making his three-year-old debut off a three-month layoff while stretching out to 1 3/16 miles and Shalloom–though brilliant on debut–has only raced once and was scratched at the gate in what would have been his second career start. Six Speed has speed and is not only my pick to win the UAE Derby but also would be an intriguing Kentucky Derby entrant given his speed. He has raced only in the Middle East but was bred in Kentucky. The Florida Derby is an absolute juggernaut with four strong contenders, including the current second choice to win the Kentucky Derby in Chief Wallabee. That Chief Wallabee has taken so much money in Derby future wagers is a testament to his talent considering he has only raced twice: a debut win over Tampa Bay Derby winner (and Florida Derby morning line fourth choice) The Puma and a runner-up finish to Commandment in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. He has flashed tremendous talent, though, and is the horse to beat here. However, is he the horse to bet? I think he will be too short a price, and I will play against him in the Florida Derby preferring instead the aforementioned The Puma or Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly, who despite his bonafides in late winter, comes in here somewhat forgotten as the likely third choice. Any of these four can win, so I’ll side with the two longer prices assuming that is how the race is bet. The Arkansas Derby features Sam F. Davis Stakes winner Renegade. He beat The Puma in that race to finally notch a win after budding heads with current Kentucky Derby favorite Paladin as a two-year-old. Like Chief Wallabee, Renegade is the most likely winner of his race but not the best bet. That mantle goes to Litmus Test, the Los Alamitos Futurity winner who did not fire his best shot in the Rebel Stakes. Trainer Bob Baffert kept Litmus Test at Oaklawn between these races, however, and is taking blinkers off the colt. Both moves have been positive ones for the Racing Hall of Fame conditioner, and Litmus Test is my bet to win. I will also play a straight exacta with him underneath Renegade as my “place” bet. Ed DeRosa for Woodbine Share This:Share
