Kentucky Derby Prep Review Feb. 3, 2026

Feb 03, 2026 James Scully

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

The first of three Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series races at Gulfstream Park, the Jan. 31 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park offered a combined 42 qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2 scale) toward a berth in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2.

What Happened

Nearly left a favorable impression in his initial stakes and two-turn start, drawing off to 5 3/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull. A son of Not This Time, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt dueled with 3-2 favorite Cannoneer until gaining the upper hand on the far turn, and Nearly rolled home stylishly under jockey John Velazquez.

Bravaro, who won his first two career starts over New York-bred competition and was making his two-turn debut for Saffie Joseph, offered a fine run for second, 2 3/4 lengths clear of late-running Project Ace in third. Cannoneer, who was exiting a convincing seven-furlong maiden win at Churchill Downs, weakened to fourth.

Analysis

Love the progress Nearly has shown, breaking his maiden in late November and winning an entry-level allowance in early January, and I expect him to show more in the final Kentucky Derby prep, the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 28. He stepped up at the right time for his barn, with the Pletcher-trained Ted Noffey (prohibitive early Kentucky Derby favorite) being withdrawn from Triple Crown consideration 48 hours earlier.

Nearly established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, winning the Holy Bull, and will compete for favoritism among individual entrants in Pool 4 of the KDFW next week. The dark bay colt registered a 99 Brisnet Speed Rating, with his numbers increasing in every start, and Pletcher is a two-time Kentucky Derby winner. His regular rider (Velazquez) is tied for the most Kentucky Derby wins among active jockeys with three.

Bravaro gave a fine account of himself, but it’s fair to question whether he will keep progressing against deeper competition at longer distances. Project Ace lost contact with the field down the backstretch; the deep closer still has much to prove for Dale Romans. Cannoneer will probably get one more chance at a two-turn prep, but his threshold for longer distances is in doubt.

What’s Next

A busy weekend ahead after recent cancellations at Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park.

The Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park and Withers at Aqueduct were moved to Friday, Feb. 6. The Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita and Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs will be run the following day.