Kentucky Derby
Tampa Bay and San Felipe Upsets Shake Up 2026 Kentucky Derby Trail
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Long shots The Puma (Tampa Bay Derby) and Potente (San Felipe Stakes) stunned favorites on March 9, each earning 50 points and vaulting into contention on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard amid a wide-open trail.
Bob Baffert-trained Potente won the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday at 8-1 odds in his second career start, propelling him to No. 7 in the NTRA 3-year-old rankings. This upset, along with other recent wins by lightly raced horses, has reshuffled contention for the May 2 Kentucky Derby. Potente is now the 15-1 fifth choice in Derby future wagering.
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The Puma won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, defeating Further Ado and Canaletto in a performance that highlights his potential for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs. The victory flatters other contenders like Renegade, who previously excelled in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Meanwhile, Potente took the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, though observers question its strength as a Derby indicator.
Golden Tempo, the undefeated winner of the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes, completed a solid workout at Fair Grounds on Friday morning as he eyes the upcoming Risen Star Stakes. The Curlin colt breezed four furlongs in 48.8 seconds under trainer Cherie DeVaux, marking his second drill since his January victory. He leads the points standings for the 2026 Kentucky Derby with odds of 30-1 in Las Vegas futures.
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Churchill Downs Racetrack will bring back Sunday racing during Kentucky Derby week for the first time since 2010. The spring meet opener shifts to daytime on April 25, with post time at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Tickets for Derby week and the full spring meet go on sale Thursday at noon.
Sovereignty was named Horse of the Year at the 55th annual Eclipse Awards, also earning honors as the top 3-year-old male. Trainer Bill Mott, who led the colt to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, was recognized as trainer of the year. The ceremony took place Thursday night at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.