Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Litmus Test

Dec 16, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Litmus Test gave trainer Bob Baffert his 15th Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) victory (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, SF Racing, et al’s Litmus Test accumulated 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard following his 1 1/4-length triumph in the $200,500 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 13. Trained by Bob Baffert, the winner clocked 1 1/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:42.38 with Juan Hernandez in the silks.

Blacksmith, Provenance, Acknowledgemeplz, and American King rounded out the top five and picked up qualifying points on a 5-3-2-1 structure.

Baffert stated following the race, 'He was in a good spot—he looked like he was relaxed. You could tell down the backside he had control of the race. He's still a little green, but Juan was just telling me that the further the better for him. He loved this track—he got over it really well and just kept on going.'

Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Litmus Test 📘

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Litmus Test made his debut at Del Mar on Aug. 16 and was a winner at first asking when defeating maiden special weight foes in a 5 1/2-furlong dash. The son of Nyquist went on to face Grade 1 runners in a trio of races in succession, checking in fourth in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, and most recently, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). His lifetime line reads 5-2-0-1, $350,188.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Machmer Hall and was purchased for $875,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale as a yearling. He is the initial black-type winner produced from the Malibu Moon mare Study Hard, who counts herself as a full-sister to three-time graded stakes queen Sweet August Moon.

Litmus Test has registered Brisnet Speed ratings of 91-102-90 from his three races going long to date. The colt doesn’t boast the strongest catalog page to handle classic distances next season, but he has performed well in three routes tilts and also has a fine foundation under him heading into his three-year-old season.