Express Kid, a 2-year-old colt bred in California and initially sold for just $2,000 at an Arizona auction, stunned the horse racing world by winning the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at 34-1 odds. Trained by Wade Rarick and ridden by jockey Jose L. Alvarez, Express Kid led wire-to-wire, finishing 6 1/4 lengths ahead of the favorite and earning 10 qualifying points toward the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Despite a modest start to his career and previous unimpressive finishes, including a sixth-place in the Clever Trevor Stakes, Express Kid has rapidly improved, now boasting a bankroll of $236,902.

The colt, sired by Bodexpress and out of the Street Sense mare Sensationalize, was initially overlooked at sales, failing to meet a $12,000 reserve price before being purchased by owner Steve Haahr. Trainer Rarick, who initially doubted the colt’s potential, is now considering targeting higher-profile races at Oaklawn Park, known for its Kentucky Derby prep events. Express Kid’s dramatic turnaround highlights his unexpected talent and potential for future success on the Derby trail.