Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Nearly

Feb 05, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Nearly wins the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglainese Photo)

Centennial Farms’ three-year-old named Nearly picked up 20 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his impressive 5 3/4-length victory in the $267,500 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31.

The Todd Pletcher-trained pupil negotiated 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval track in 1:44.52 with jockey John Velazquez in the irons, picking up his initial stakes score. For reference, last year’s Holy Bull winner was Kentucky Derby contender Burnham Square with a final time of 1:43.60, and the record time sits at 1:35.19 by 2011 winner Dialed In.

Nearly finished ahead of Bravaro, Project Ace, Cannoneer, and Global Aviator to complete the top five finishers, and earned qualifying points of 10-6-4-2 in order of their finishing.

“I thought it was going to be a two-horse race, but I didn’t think my horse would be that close. He got a little aggressive today. He was never like that,” Velazquez said. “Normally, it takes him a little while to get his leg under him, but today he was there right away.”

NEARLY aced the G3 Holy Bull test and earns 20 points to the @kentuckyderby! ✅🌹@Centennial_Farm @PletcherRacing @ljlmvel pic.twitter.com/qGsrhWh8mz

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 1, 2026

Nearly was unveiled in his first start on Oct. 26 at Aqueduct and finished unplaced in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight dash. In his second performance, the colt dominated state-bred foes on the Gulfstream Park main oval by 9 1/4 lengths on Nov. 22. He preceded his Holy Bull triumph with a five-length allowance coup at the same venue on Jan. 2 while running seven panels. His lifetime line now reads 4-3-0-0, $249,900, or four starts with 3 wins.

The son of Not This Time was bred in the Sunshine State by Wind Hill Farm and brought the gavel down at $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first black-type (high-profile race-winning) horse produced from the winning Mineshaft mare Ib Prospecting, who is a half-sister to five-time stakes-winning queen Frolic’s Revenge. This is the same female line as Grade 2 stakes-race winning millionaire Super Frolic.

Nearly has registered noteworthy Brisnet Speed ratings of 91-97-99 during his three-race win streak while displaying improvement on each occasion. The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 28 at Gulfstream is the next targeted landing spot for the rising Kentucky Derby prospect.