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Former trainers Michael and Katherine Ball have a Derby horse this year as owners. Chief Wallabee, coming off a maiden win and a narrow second-place finish in the Fountain of Youth, is the morning-line favorite against three graded stakes winners in Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
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Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 25, 2026
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Chief Wallabee, who has made both of his starts at Gulfstream Park, will look to punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby in Saturday's Florida Derby. His sire, Constitution, won that race and showed a particular affinity for Gulfstream, a trait he has passed on to some of his runners.
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A thumbs-up from trainer Brad Cox by text on Sunday confirmed Fulleffort emerged in good order from his victory in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on Saturday at Turfway Park, assuring himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with the winner's share of 100 points.
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Colorful restaurateur Jeff Ruby, whose namesake chain of enterprises sponsors Turfway Park's signature Grade 3, $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, walked across the winner's circle to Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing. The owner had just watched his Fulleffort, carrying the silks of co-owner St. Elias Stable, connect in the race. With a knowing grin, Ruby inquired where the Ruby winner might race next.
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Emerging Market, who won his debut on Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, rallied courageously under Flavien Prat to run down a stubborn pacesetting Pavlovian to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby by a head at Fair Grounds. The victory, in just Emerging Market’s second career start, earned Emerging Market 100 qualifying points to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.
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Steve Asmussen, the winningest trainer ever in North America, has had 28 starters without a victory in the Kentucky Derby. He has but one chance in this year's Derby, Chip Honcho, who goes in Saturday's Louisiana Derby.
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Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 18, 2026
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Connect, a son of Curlin, has Grade 2 Risen Star runner-up Chip Honcho looking to punch his Kentucky Derby ticket in Saturday's Louisiana Derby – and Connect's sireline will need to help balance out a sprint-type female family.
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Incredibolt will return to Florida and train at the Palm Meadows Training Center for the next month. If all goes well, he will ship to Churchill Downs approximately two weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
