There were two road to Kentucky Derby 2026 prep races on March 7 and both were captured by unraced 2-year-olds. The Puma graduated in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, and second time starter Potente made the grade in the San Felipe (G2). In this report, I will recap the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.
I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 27 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The road to the Derby points race series continues with the Virginia Derby on March 14.
Virginia Derby field (races 9 at Colonial Downs on March 14): 1 – Buetane, 2 – Grittiness, 3 – Epic Desire, 4 – Work, 5 – High Camp, 6 – Lockstocknpharoah, 7 – Incredibolt, 8 – Confessional, 9 – Ocelli, 10 – Clocker Special.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs (3-8-26): Longshots Redland Rebels and Talkin were prominent early but neither were factors at the end. This one came down to Kentucky Jockey Club hero Further Ado and a pair of lightly raced runners from outer posts. Second timer Canaletto was the favorite over Further Ado when the dust settled, and he traveled wide from the outside post under Flavien Prat. The Puma ($16.80), a maiden after two starts, was exiting a show finish in the local Sam F. Davis and his race over the track probably made all the difference. He raced even wider than Canaletto if that is possible, and in a 3-horse stretch battle, he prevailed by 3/4ths of a length (89 BSF). Further Ado was second by a head over Canaletto and it was 2 lengths back to early runner Redland Rebels (4th). Talkin (5th), Powershift (6th), Thunder Buck (7th), Hulkamania (8th), and Roger That Dana (9th) also ran. Javier Castellano rode the winner for Gustavo Delgado. Fractions: 23.07, 46.68, 1:11.27, 1:36.47, 1:43.23.
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