Kentucky Derby, Oaks 2026 contenders: Tuesday report

Klaravich Stables' undefeated Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Emerging Market made his first on-track appearance for Kentucky Derby 2026 on a brisk Tuesday morning, galloping 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Luis Ortiz Trinidad for trainer Chad Brown.

Emerging Market had arrived at Churchill Downs early Monday morning after vanning from Payson Park Training Center in South Florida.

More than 24 hours later, another South Florida arrival settled into Barn 42 shortly after 9 a.m. EDT, as OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing's The Puma joined trainer Gustavo Delgado's string.

Winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and runner-up in the Florida Derby (G1), The Puma aims to give Delgado a second Kentucky Derby winner after Mage in 2023. The Puma took up residence in Stall 10, the same stall Mage occupied three years ago.

One other Kentucky Derby hopeful, Pin Oak Stud's Incredibolt, returned to the Churchill Downs surface for the first time since last fall, galloping 1 1/2 miles under Charlotte O'Connell for trainer Riley Mott.

Incredibolt, winner of the Virginia Derby in his most recent start and the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall, arrived Monday morning from Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida.

Two candidates for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks 2026 – Godolphin's Bella Ballerina and Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm's Always a Runner – made their initial on-track appearances, with Bella Ballerina galloping 1 1/4 miles and Always a Runner 1 1/2 miles.

Kentucky Derby update (all times EDT)

Albus/Incredibolt – Trainer Riley Mott's two Kentucky Derby hopefuls for Pin Oak Stud, Albus and Incredibolt, both galloped 1 1/2 miles during the reserved Derby and Kentucky Oaks training period from 7:15-7:30 a.m.

Incredibolt won the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs last October, and Tuesday morning's exercise under O'Connell allowed him to get reacquainted with the surface.

"He looked super out there; he's a good training horse," Mott said.

Mott said schooling sessions at the paddock and the gate for the two runners remained in the cards leading up to the Derby, with final works scheduled for the weekend.

Antonio Garcia rode Albus on Tuesday and handled last Saturday's half-mile breeze in 49.0 seconds. Mott said jockey Jaime Torres, who has the mount on Incredibolt for the Derby, would probably ride for the colt's final pre-Derby work.

Chief Wallabee – Mike and K.K. Ball's Chief Wallabee walked the shedrow at trainer Bill Mott's barn the morning after working five furlongs in 1:00.0.

Chip Honcho – Trainer Steve Asmussen's Kentucky Derby hopeful, Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe and John Cilia's Chip Honcho, galloped at 7:15 a.m. under Roberto Howell.

Commandment/Fulleffort/Further Ado – Trainer Brad Cox's Derby trio of Wathnan Racing's Commandment, St. Elias Stable and Starlight Racing's Fulleffort and Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado all galloped Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Commandment and Fulleffort went out in the first training set at 5:15 a.m., with Katie Tolbert aboard Commandment and Edvin Vargas aboard Fulleffort. Further Ado galloped in the second set with exercise rider Jonathan Santiago aboard.

"All three are doing well after their works from last week," Cox said. "We'll gallop them a couple more days and have one more work."

Cox monitored the forecast as he weighed Friday or Saturday for their final major breeze.

Danon Bourbon – Danox's Danon Bourbon left Japan and was expected to arrive Tuesday evening in Chicago. He'll undergo 42 hours of mandatory USDA quarantine before vanning to Churchill Downs.

Emerging Market – Klaravich Stables' undefeated Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Emerging Market made his first on-track appearance for Kentucky Derby 152 by galloping 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Luis Ortiz Trinidad for trainer Chad Brown.

Emerging Market had arrived at Churchill Downs early Monday morning after vanning from Payson Park Training Center in South Florida.

"I liked what I saw," Brown said. "They (along with Oaks candidate Always a Runner) both floated over the track."

Brown kept an eye on the weather regarding a final work for Emerging Market.

"It looks like there is some rain moving in Friday night, so I could push things back to Friday morning," Brown said.

Pavlovian – Reddam Racing's Pavlovian, runner-up to Emerging Market in the Louisiana Derby (G2) for trainer Doug O'Neill, traveled from his Southern California base, with a mid-afternoon arrival at Churchill Downs expected.

Right to Party – Chester Broman Sr.'s Right to Party galloped Tuesday morning at 7:15 a.m. with exercise rider Robby Albarado aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Silent Tactic – John Oxley's Silent Tactic, with Dass Garcia aboard, jogged a half-mile in the mile chute and then galloped 1 1/4 miles after coming on the track at 5:50 a.m.

Trainer Mark Casse planned to arrive in Louisville on Tuesday and be trackside Wednesday morning.

So Happy – Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners' So Happy, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for trainer Mark Glatt, traveled from his Southern California base, with a mid-afternoon arrival at Churchill Downs expected.

Stark Contrast – Amerman Racing's Stark Contrast galloped 1 1/4 miles under Christian Garcia at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday for trainer Michael McCarthy.

The Puma – OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing's The Puma arrived at Churchill Downs shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday for trainer Gustavo Delgado.

Winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and runner-up in the Florida Derby (G1), The Puma aims to give Delgado a second Kentucky Derby winner after Mage in 2023. The Puma took up residence in Barn 42, Stall 10, the same spot Mage occupied three years ago.

Wonder Dean (JPN) – Yoshinari Yamamoto's Wonder Dean (JPN) warmed up in the chute for about 25 minutes before galloping Tuesday morning under Takuya Nakano.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 update

Always a Runner – Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm's undefeated Gazelle (G3) winner Always a Runner made her first on-track appearance by galloping 1 1/2 miles under Oscar Becerra Laynen.

"I liked what I saw," trainer Chad Brown said. "They (along with Derby candidate Emerging Market) both floated over the track."

Brown kept an eye on the weather regarding a final work for Always a Runner.

"It looks like there is some rain moving in Friday night, so I could push things back to Friday morning," Brown said.

Bella Ballerina – Godolphin's Bella Ballerina made her first appearance at Churchill Downs since November. The Golden Rod (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2) winner galloped about 1 1/4 miles at 7:15 a.m. for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione has the mount in the Oaks.

Counting Stars/Search Party – Trainer Mark Casse's two Kentucky Oaks candidates, West Point Thoroughbreds' Counting Stars and Tracy Farmer's Search Party, came on the track at 5:50 a.m. for their morning activity.

Froylan Garcia rode Counting Stars and Elver Vargas rode Search Party as both jogged a half-mile in the mile chute and then galloped 1 1/2 miles.

Prom Queen – Gary and Mary West's Prom Queen galloped at 9:40 a.m. with exercise rider/assistant trainer Katie Tolbert.