Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Holy Bull Stakes

Jan 28, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Cannoneer wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

A talented field of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $275,000 Holy Bull (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will give the top five across the wire qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.

I feel that two three-year-old runners will ultimately settle things in the race led by the Brad Cox-trained Cannoneer. Purchased for a hefty $1.75 million as a yearling in 2024, the son of leading sire Into Mischief made his first appearance at Churchill Downs in June and finished third in a 5 ½-furlong sprint. The bay horse came back on Nov. 29 while facing a full field at Churchill and led throughout in posting a strong, 7 ¼-length win under Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Cannoneer has not raced since that fine win, but the youngster has posted some good morning workouts leading up to his first run in Florida, and his early speed will play well on a track that is often kind to horses that are close in the early going, in general. The horse has four siblings that have won graded stakes races, and he is a half-brother to $1.6 million earner and Grade 1 winner Girvin, who won the 2017 Haskell (G1) and has become a successful sire, too. Irad will once again guide the top prospect.

Next up on the Two-Year-Old Tracker is recent maiden winner Cannoneer, who recorded a 100 Brisnet Speed figure with his 7 1/4-length romp at Churchill Downs on Saturday. 🤩

The Brad Cox trainee is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Girvin plus graded stakes scorers Midnight… pic.twitter.com/aiXBGhIr4F

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 2, 2025

The Todd Pletcher-trained Nearly was a non-factor in his first race but has come back with two dominant scores, with both coming at Gulfstream Park. Purchased for $350,000 in 2024, the son of great sire Not This Time has been finishing his races in powerful fashion as of late, and also comes into this event with a fast morning workout most recently. The Florida-bred colt beat a nice horse with ease in preparation for his toughest test to date and will be a serious contender in the field if he continues to improve. Regular jockey John Velazquez will ride the three-year-old colt.

Expert Pick

An exacta box with #5 Cannoneer and #7 Nearly in the 2026 Holy Bull (G3) is the Best Bet of the Week.

Wager

$10 exacta box 5-7 ($20)

Bonus Play

Forward Gal (G3) – (Race 10)

Wager

$10 exacta box 4-6 ($20)