The 2026 Holy Bull Stakes, a Grade 3 race at Gulfstream Park for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on dirt, serves as a key early stop on the road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding points to the top five finishers. Historically, the race has been a launching pad for notable Derby contenders and winners such as Barbaro, Tiz the Law, and White Abarrio. This year’s field includes nine entrants, with morning-line favorite Cannoneer, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., aiming to make a strong start after breaking his maiden last November. Other notable contenders include Nearly, a two-race winner from Todd Pletcher’s stable with John Velazquez aboard, and Incredibolt, the only graded-stakes winner in the field, trained by Riley Mott.
Several horses have been scratched from the race, including Buetane, Roger That Dana, and Game for It. The race is scheduled as the 12th event on Saturday with a post time of 5:45 p.m. EST, broadcast on FanDuel TV and streaming on Peacock. Handicappers highlight Bravaro as a value bet stepping up in distance, while experts debate the merits of speed versus class in their picks. The Holy Bull remains a critical early test for Derby hopefuls, with wagering strategies and detailed horse-by-horse guides available for fans and bettors.
