There were three road to Kentucky Derby prep races last week and Commandment edged Chief Wallabee in Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28, and that was the fastest of the three points races. In this report, I will recap the Gotham, Fountain of Youth, and Rebel Stakes, 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 25 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 3 show finishes. The road to the Derby continues with the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 and the field will be announced on March 4. The San Felipe Stakes on March 7 at Santa Anita Park has a field of seven and Brant is the likely favorite.
San Felipe field (race 8): 1 – Flashy Fritz, 2 – Start the Ride, 3 – Secured Freedom, 4 – Brant, 5 – Potente, 6 – So Happy, 7 – Robusta.
Plutarch, ranked eleventh on my Kentucky Derby list last week, exited the Robert Lewis with body soreness and is off the Derby trail. He is expected to remain in light training.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct (2-28-26): Race favorite Iron Honor and Crown the Buckeye mixed it up on the front end from the start and it was a two-horse race throughout. Iron Honor ($3.88), making just his second career start and first since December, got the better of his more experienced rival by a length (90 BSF). Crown the Buckeye tried hard throughout and ended up 6 1/2 lengths in front of closing show finisher Right to Party. Exhibition Only (4th), Balboa (5th), Hammond (6th), Dirty Rich (7th), and Fourth and One (8th) also ran. Creole Chrome scratched. Manny Franco rode the winner for Chad Brown and he might run next in the Wood Memorial. Fractions: 23.09, 46.30, 1:11.45, 1:24.25, 1:37.94.
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