Study Guide: 2026 Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 06, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs marks the return of Further Ado, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby last fall.

Further Ado is the most accomplished of nine horses entered in the Tampa Bay Derby, a 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. But a few up-and-coming rivals may have the talent to challenge Further Ado.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the Tampa Bay Derby entries:

Redland Rebels

Redland Rebels wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Ryan Thompson)

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

Owner: Calypso Racing Stables 2022
Breeder: Hickstead Farm
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second in the Kitten’s Joy S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $87,000

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

Redland Rebels has shown talent on turf, most notably finishing second by a neck in the Kitten’s Joy S. But he failed to factor in his lone start on dirt, so returning to dirt for the Tampa Bay Derby is a question mark.

Talkin

Tallkin wins the Stardale at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

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

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, and R. A. Hill Stable
Breeder: Fifth Avenue Bloodstock
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning a maiden special weight at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $156,250

Sire: Good Magic
Dam: Rote
Color: Bay

Talkin made noise on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when he finished second in the Oct. 4 Champagne (G1). However, he benefited from rallying into a blazing pace. He subsequently misfired when finishing ninth in the Remsen (G2) and will need a rebound if he’s going to win the Tampa Bay Derby in his first run of 2026.

Roger That Dana

Roger That Dana wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)

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

Owner: Smith Ranch Stables
Breeder: Ocala Stud
Trainer: Luis Ramirez
Jockey: Renzo Rojas

Top Speed Rating: (88) when finishing second in the Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $103,200

Sire: Awesome Slew
Dam: Take Me to Zuber
Color: Bay

Roger That Dana exits a runner-up finish in the Mucho Macho Man S. behind Commandment, who returned to prevail in last week’s Fountain of Youth (G2). But Roger That Dana was beaten 6 3/4 lengths by Commandment, and he must improve upon his career-best 88 Brisnet Speed rating if he’s going to take first prize in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Hulkamania

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

Owner: Hoolie Racing Stable, Blue Mist Racing, and Icon Racing Stable
Breeder: Stoneriggs Farm
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning a maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $18,560

Sire: McKinzie
Dam: Paris Amour
Color: Bay

Hulkamania was much the best when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight, winning by four lengths. However, the 87 Brisnet Speed rating he received looks light against the Tampa Bay Derby field.

Powershift

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

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Liberty Road Stables
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in a maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $6,400

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Free Flying Soul
Color: Dark bay/brown

Powershift debuted in a fast maiden special weight racing one mile and 40 yards at Tampa Bay Downs. He showed speed throughout and was beaten only three-quarters of a length while pulling 13 1/2 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. The 98 Brisnet Speed rating he earned is the co-highest number in the Tampa Bay Derby field, so Powershift looms as a logical win threat for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won this race half a dozen times.

Further Ado

Further Ado wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Breeder: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning a Keeneland maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $320,703

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Sky Dreamer
Color: Chestnut

Further Ado is 2-for-2 since stretching out beyond sprint distances. He crushed a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight by 20 lengths, earning a 98 Brisnet Speed rating, then battled with determination to win the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club by 1 3/4 lengths. He hasn’t raced in over three months, but trainer Brad Cox wins at a lofty 27% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more, so expect Further Ado to produce another strong showing in his return.

Further Ado picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club at @ChurchillDowns! 🌟🏆@iradortiz was aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and @spendthriftfarm!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SDJKbZ5jiJ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2025

Thunder Buck

Thunder Back wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)

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

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Samuel Marin

Top Speed Rating: (85) when winning a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $38,293

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Oxy Lady
Color: Bay

Thunder Buck showed talent when winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight, but in his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut, he faltered to finish last of 10 in the Lecomte (G3). He’ll need a stronger effort to factor in the Tampa Bay Derby.

The Puma

Start(s): 2
Wins: 0
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: $34,280

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

The Puma might be 0-for-2, but he’s run well against tough competition. In a seven-furlong maiden special weight, he ran second by 1 1/2 lengths against Chief Wallabee, who returned to finish a close second in the Fountain of Youth. Then in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs, The Puma finished third. Brisnet Speed ratings of 94 and 90 suggest The Puma is fast enough to challenge for another top-three finish in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Canaletto

Canaletto wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Ryan Thompson)

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

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, and Brook T. Smith
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $40,800

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Distorted Music
Color: Bay

Canaletto caught eyes when debuting in a one-mile maiden special weight, pressing the pace before taking over to dominate by eight lengths. He clearly has talent, but the Tampa Bay Derby is a tougher spot, and he’ll need to improve upon his 88 Brisnet Speed rating to beat Saturday’s field.