Kentucky Derby 2026 works: 9 contenders breeze Wednesday
Balboa, a top 10 futures choice in Las Vegas who has earned four points on the road to Kentucky Derby 2026, had a workout Wednesday morning in Maryland.
The Not This Time colt owned by the SF Racing partnership and trained by Brittany Russell breezed five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Laurel Park. That was where he won the James F. Lewis III Stakes last month in between a fifth in the Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita and a third in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby 2026: Vegas futures have 101 choices.
At Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada, Balboa carries odds of 28-1 to win the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Nine 2-year-olds who have been listed in the Derby futures had workouts Wednesday.
Balboa (Not This Time) worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Laurel Park on Wednesday morning. It was the third fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going four furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he placed third in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Brittany Russell.
Blinging It Back (Volatile) worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Casse Training Center on Wednesday morning. It was the fastest of seven works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Casse Training Center. In his last start he placed eighth in the Bourbon (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 5 for trainer Mark Casse.
Day One Starter (Upstart) worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Payson Park on Wednesday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed eighth in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Shug McGaughey.
Grittiness (Curlin) worked four furlongs in 49.3 seconds at Belmont Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 29th fastest of 138 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fifth in the Remsen (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on Dec. 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Hero Declared (Maclean’s Music) worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Payson Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 29th fastest of 43 works at the distance. His previous work was 108 days ago going five furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in a maiden race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 16 for trainer Whit Beckman.
Project Ace (War of Will) worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday morning. It was the 27th fastest of 57 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he won a maiden race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 15 for trainer Dale Romans.
Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule) worked four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at Fair Grounds on Wednesday morning. It was the 79th fastest of 87 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Street Beast (Street Sense) worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Keeneland on Wednesday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 14 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Ben Colebrook.
Turf Star (Caravaggio) worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds on turf at Palm Meadows on Wednesday morning. It was the 16th fastest of 25 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31 for trainer Graham Motion.