Derby Prep

HORSE RACING NATION

KENTUCKY DERBY

11/4 MILES • CHURCHILL DOWNS

THE PUMA

HORSE
SATURDAY, MAY 2
ED’S FAIR ODDSHORSEED’S FAIR ODDS
1 Paladin9-211 Further Ado35-1
2 Incredibolt40-112 Golden Tempo45-1
3 The Puma10-113 Litmus Test55-1
4 Silent Tactic20-114 Renegade5-1
5 Class President30-115 ChiefWallabee8-1
6 Commandment14-116 Robusta100-1
7 Iron Honor18-117 Intrepido30-1
8 Potente40-118 Universe100-1
9 Chip Honcho25-119 Pavlovian70-1
10 Grittiness60-120 Express Kid75-1

Photo: Juliana Colombo/ Eclipse Sportswire

By Ed DeRosa

March 18, 2026 5:32 AM

With 100 points to the winners, both the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Saturday figure to shake up the points leaderboard. But will they affect who the legit Kentucky Derby contenders are?

Of the three prep races the last two weeks, only the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) made an impression on me, with both winner The Puma and runner-up Further Ado maintaining relative low odds on my fair odds of the top 20 3-year-olds by points.

Neither Potente and Robusta in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) nor Incredibolt and Grittiness in the Virginia Derby inspire me.