Chief Wallabee, beaten a half-length when third behind Commandment and The Puma in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28, will most likely be equipped with blinkers when he runs in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bill Mott said Monday. “To me, he seemed slightly distracted in his last run,” Mott said Monday. “Something to keep him a little more focused. He’s still a little green.” Chief Wallabee had his first workout in blinkers last Saturday at Payson Park. He was timed in 49.60 seconds for a half-mile. He began the work about two lengths in front of stablemate Batten Down, a multiple stakes winner, and finished about a length in front. He galloped out clear of his mate. “I thought his work was fine. He was good,” Mott said. When it was mentioned to Mott that Chief Wallabee still appeared to cock his head in the workout, Mott said, “I didn’t notice it. That only happens in a drive. We’re not in a drive.” :: Get DRF Kentucky Oaks & Derby Clocker Reports by Mike Welsch and the DRF Clocker Team Chief Wallabee on Monday afternoon was scheduled to leave Payson Park on a van bound for Churchill Downs. Mott said he planned to give Chief Wallabee two workouts at Churchill. Mott did the same with Sovereignty, last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, following his second-place finish in the Florida Derby. “Over the years, I’ve found that horses that were there a little longer did a little better,” Mott said. Technically, Chief Wallabee sits at 21st on the Kentucky Derby points list, which would make him in need of one defection to join the body of the field. Since Stark Contrast, who ranks 16th on the list, is expected to run in the Grade 2, $1 million American Turf instead of the Derby, Chief Wallabee should make the field without any issue. On Sunday, at Payson Park, Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market worked a half-mile in 49.40. Emerging Market started in front and finished in front of the 6-year-old Favorable Scenario, while being asked to gallop out past the wire. The track did have some moisture in it and was a bit cuppy, according to trainer Chad Brown. “I thought he worked really well,” Brown said. “He got to the wire and motored on out. He galloped out well. I was happy with it.” Emerging Market will have one more workout at Payson Park, likely Saturday, before shipping to Kentucky, where he will have his final workout one week before the Derby. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Brown has two other 3-year-olds still under consideration, but far from definite, to run in the Derby. Blue Grass runner-up Ottinho is at Keeneland, and Gotham winner and Wood Memorial seventh-place finisher Iron Honor is at Belmont Park. Both are expected to have workouts this coming weekend before plans for their next races are finalized. Behind Chief Wallabee on the points list, in order, are Chip Honcho and Intrepido. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.