Report: Bravaro, Nearly turn away from Kentucky Derby trail
With Kentucky Derby 2026 two weekends away, a pair of 3-year-olds perched just outside the starting gate have turned their attention elsewhere.
Bravaro, 24th on the Derby leaderboard with 35 qualifying points, will aim for the Mike Lee Stakes at Saratoga on June 3, Daily Racing Form's David Grening posted on X. Nearly, 23rd on the same 35-point line, gets time off at the farm, Centennial Farms racing and bloodstock manager Dr. Stephen Carr told Grening.
Saffie Joseph Jr. trains the New York-bred Bravaro for Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables and Paul Braverman. The Upstart colt went 2-for-2 at Aqueduct last fall, breaking his maiden in September before taking the state-bred Sleepy Hollow Stakes in October. He moved to open graded company in 2026 and ran a well-beaten second behind Nearly in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, followed by a troubled-trip fourth in the Fountain of Youth (G2). A blinkers-on fourth in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct (G2) on April 4 added 15 points but left him outside the 20-horse field.
The Mike Lee, a seven-furlong state-bred stakes run during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, returns Bravaro to a division where he remains perfect.
Nearly's path was steeper. The Florida-bred son of Not This Time, owned by Centennial Farms and trained by Todd Pletcher, won three straight at Gulfstream Park capped by a 5 3/4-length romp in the Holy Bull on Jan. 31. He entered the Florida Derby (G1) on March 28 as a live Derby contender but faded to fourth behind winner Commandment, picking up 15 points to reach 35.
Bravaro's record stands at 5: 2-1-0 with earnings of $272,700. Nearly is 5: 3-0-0 with $299,400 banked.