Study Guide: 2026 Florida Derby

Mar 24, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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

A stellar field has turned out for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier has drawn three of the early favorites for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1): Chief Wallabee, Commandment, and Nearly.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the Florida Derby field:

Albus

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Breeder: Susan Casner
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning a maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $36,288

Sire: Yaupon
Dam: Adream
Color: Dark bay/brown

Albus was much the best in a one-mile and 40-yard maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs last month, winning by 6 3/4 lengths. But the 87 Brisnet Speed rating he received looks light against the Florida Derby field.

Chief Wallabee

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Michael and Katherine G. Ball
Breeder: Mike Ball and Katherine Ball
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $117,600

Sire: Constitution
Dam: A La Lucie
Color: Bay

Chief Wallabee ran a gallant race in the Fountain of Youth (G2) last month, rallying from off the pace to finish second by a neck. He raced wider than the victorious Commandment and may be able to turn the tables if he saves more ground in the Florida Derby.

Wayne’s Law

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Baalbek Corp
Breeder: Margaret McFarland
Trainer: Amador Sanchez
Jockey: Marcos Meneses

Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing second in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $135,530

Sire: Tiz the Law
Dam: Mollie Merisa
Color: Chestnut

Wayne’s Law is steadily improving. He exits with a runner-up finish in a strong edition of the Sam F. Davis S. and can’t be counted out of the mix for a top-five finish in the Florida Derby.

Commandment

Start(s): 4
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Wathnan Racing
Breeder: Lee Pokoik
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (103) when winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $403,539

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Sippican Harbor
Color: Bay

Commandment has won three starts in a row. He launched a determined inside rally to defeat Chief Wallabee by a neck in the Fountain of Youth, earning a strong 103 Brisnet Speed rating. Commandment has improved his Brisnet Speed rating with every start and is a serious threat to win the Florida Derby.

Redland Rebels

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Calypso Racing Stables
Breeder: Hickstead Farm
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second in the Kitten’s Joy S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $104,500

Sire: Uncle Chuck
Dam: Kombat Cat
Color: Dark bay/brown

Redland Rebels is expected to scratch and compete in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1) instead.

Nearly

Start(s): 4
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Centennial Farms
Breeder: Wind Hill Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $249,900

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Ib Prospecting
Color: Dark bay/brown

Nearly survived dueling for the lead through hot pace fractions to win the Holy Bull (G3) by 5 3/4 lengths. The Florida Derby is a tougher race, but Nearly has won three starts in a row by blowout margins, so his speed and talent must be respected.

Timeless Victory

Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 2

Owner: Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing, and Laurie Plesa
Breeder: Allied Racing Stable
Trainer: Edward Plesa Jr.
Jockey: Jose Morelos

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $106,390

Sire: By My Standards
Dam: Memento
Color: Bay

Timeless Victory was much the best in a recent 1 1/16-mile $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream, winning by six lengths. But he’ll need to improve upon his career-best 88 Brisnet Speed rating to conquer the Florida Derby.

The Puma

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing
Breeder: Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (94) when finishing second in a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $244,280

Sire: Essential Quality
Dam: Eve of War
Color: Chestnut

The Puma unleashed a last-to-first rally to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) by three-quarters of a length. However, he’s finished behind Chief Wallabee and Wayne’s Law in previous starts, and he may need a step forward to turn the tables in the Florida Derby.

THE PUMA had his running shoes on today and pounced on the favorites at 7/1 in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby to pick up 50 points towards Kentucky Derby 152! 🏆🌹

Gustavo Delgado trains the 3YO and @jjcjockey was aboard!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/yYD0LqSu1b

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 7, 2026

Gregarious

Start(s): 1
Wins: 0
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: JC Racing Stable
Breeder: George Krikorian
Trainer: Jose Castro
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

Top Speed Rating: (74) when finishing second in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $14,960

Sire: Mo Town
Dam: Ultimatum
Color: Dark bay/brown

Gregarious debuted with a runner-up finish in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. The fact he’s been tested over the track and distance of the Florida Derby is appealing, but his 74 Brisnet Speed rating suggests he’ll need improvement to challenge for a top-five finish on Saturday.