The 2026 Holy Bull Stakes, a key Kentucky Derby prep race, takes place on January 31 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. This Grade 3 event over 1 1/16 miles offers 20 qualifying points to the winner among a field of seven three-year-olds. Top contenders include favorite Nearly at 9-5 odds and graded winner Incredibolt at 3-1.
The Holy Bull Stakes marks the start of Gulfstream Park's road to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with post time set for 5:45 p.m. ET. The $275,000 Grade 3 race for three-year-olds covers 1 1/16 miles on dirt, awarding 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers toward the May 2 Derby at Churchill Downs.
Seven horses are expected to compete after scratches of Buetane, due to a canceled flight from winter storms, and Game For It, rerouted to the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Morning-line favorite Nearly (9-5), trained by Todd Pletcher, enters off back-to-back wins at Gulfstream, including a five-length allowance victory on January 2. However, expert Gene Menez plans to fade Nearly, citing his first two-turn effort just four weeks after a strong performance. "I'm going to fade the favorite," Menez said. "He stretches out to two turns for the first time just four weeks removed from a huge effort. At 9-5, he can beat me without my money."
Cannoneer (2-1), a $1.75 million yearling trained by Brad Cox, impressed with a 7 1/4-length maiden win at Churchill Downs on November 29 and draws outside potential speed for a favorable trip. Incredibolt (3-1), the only graded winner in the field, earned 10 Derby points with a 1 3/4-length victory in the Street Sense Stakes last October under Riley Mott. His versatility and improving Brisnet figures make him a strong contender despite a layoff.
Other entrants include Bravaro (8-1), undefeated in two New York-bred stakes; Global Aviator (12-1), a sharp debut winner at Gulfstream; Project Ace (15-1), a late closer with route experience; and Roger That Dana (20-1), seeking improvement after a second in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes.
Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Peacock, highlighting this early test of Derby hopefuls. Historical winners like Go For Gin and Tiz the Law underscore the race's significance.
