Promising colt Buetane will skip the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park due to a canceled flight from California. The $1.15 million Tiz the Law son, trained by Bob Baffert, was set to make his sophomore debut in the Kentucky Derby prep but now eyes the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The race, offering key qualifying points, proceeds with a strong field led by Street Sense winner Incredibolt.
The Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, a $275,000 contest over 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park, drew an initial field of nine horses vying for 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Scheduled for Saturday, it marks the first such prep during Gulfstream's winter meet, followed by the Fountain of Youth on February 28 and the Florida Derby on March 28.
Buetane, owned by Zedan Racing Stables, had been cross-entered after finishing second by two lengths in the San Vicente Stakes on January 10 at Santa Anita, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. Baffert confirmed the withdrawal via text message on Monday, noting that the colt's participation in the Southwest at Oaklawn would depend on flight availability. Buetane is also nominated for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on February 7 at Santa Anita.
With Buetane out, the field shrinks to eight, headlined by Incredibolt. Trained by Riley Mott for Pin Oak Stud, the Bolt d'Oro colt won the Street Sense Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over Universe on October 26 at Churchill Downs, rallying from seventh in his first try at the distance. Jockey Jaime Torres retains the mount for Incredibolt's 2026 debut.
Other contenders include Bravaro, the field's other stakes winner trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who takes on open company for the first time; Nearly, a Todd Pletcher trainee coming off allowance wins at Gulfstream with John Velazquez aboard; and Cannoneer, a $1.75 million Brad Cox pupil who romped home by 7 1/4 lengths in his maiden victory on November 29 at Churchill Downs under Irad Ortiz Jr.
Separately, Game For It, trained by Chad Summers, is likely to scratch for the Sam F. Davis Stakes on February 7 at Tampa Bay Downs. The Holy Bull remains a pivotal early test on the Derby trail.
