Photograph: Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire
With 4 stakes within the working for Derby kickoff day on the Fairgrounds, coach Kenny McPeek will herald a two-pronged assault of two-year-old colts for $100,000. gun runner stakes7-2 Morning Line favourite leads. liberty nationwide.
“I believe Liberty Nationwide is in for an enormous race,” McPeak mentioned. “That is his third begin. I believe it is supreme timing. We’re simply hitting it off with him. He is quick as a rocket.”
A area of eight boys entered the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner, the primary fairground cease on the street to. Kentucky Derby 2026. The highest 5 finishers within the race might be awarded 10-5-3-2-1 factors.
Click on right here for fairground entries and outcomes.
Liberty Nationwide made his debut at Keeneland in mid-October, ending sixth within the seven-furlong race by 11 lengths. Nonetheless, the son of Maxfield confirmed promise by working strongly at excessive cruising speeds. In his second begin on the 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight at Churchill Downs, he improved to 2 turns, and the $525,000 prize cash overcame early hassle and a delicate fraction to return again off the tempo and draw back by 4 1/4 lengths.
In fairground work, Liberty Nationwide ran a five-furlong time of 1:01.60 and a 1:01.80 with stablemate and Gun Runner rival Berry Linked.
Very Linked, a full sibling to Hidden Connection, did properly, ending fourth within the Kentucky Jockey Membership (G2) and third within the Avenue Sense (G3), incomes him 5 Kentucky Derby factors.
“Berry Linked is a good horse in his personal proper,” coach McPeak mentioned. “He’ll profit from the lengthy distance on the fairgrounds.”
Gun Runner, scheduled as race 11 on a 12-race card, rounds out 4 consecutive stakes races. Simply earlier than that, the $100,000 Untapable drew eight younger fillies to the purpose within the one-mile, 70-yard Kentucky Oaks (G1). Mack Peak coach Miscall, who had a 3-1 report on the morning line, is scheduled to run within the Toby Keith Stakes at Remington Park, however will run in Untappable.
The Silver State filly was run at Delaware Park’s White Clay Creek in October. She competed twice within the starter’s slot at Churchill Downs in November, beginning within the one-turn mile and ending second to Untapable’s morning favourite Hit Parade, educated by Brad Cox.
“(Miss Cole) ran properly, however she wants two extra rotations,” Rev. McPeek mentioned.
Miss Cole overcame some early difficulties in her newest begin to rise to 3rd place.
“She had a very dangerous excuse final time,” McPeak mentioned. “She hit arduous proper out of the gate. She may and may have received.”
In Saturday’s eighth race, the $100,000 Tenacious Stakes, jockey McPeak might be saddled with Lord Greylind. Sir Graylind, a 4-year-old horse who ran within the stakes, received 4 races and by no means used up his prize cash in 9 races. He enters Tenacious with two robust outcomes, together with a commanding victory at Churchill Downs in mid-November.
“He is coming by means of his tolerances and deserves a run towards horses like this at this level,” coach McPeak mentioned. “It’s a very good space for listed stakes.”
| no. | silk | horse/stallion | analysis | Coach/Jockey | Earlier begin / Subsequent begin | M.L. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | mesquite union rug | 4.45 | Shelley Deveaux Jose L. | 1st (96), CD MSW (11/7/25-R8) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 9-2 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st (96), CD MSW (11/7/25-R8) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 2 | chip honcho join | 4.79 | Stephen M. Asmussen paco lopez | 1st place (113), CD MSW (2025/11/20-R10) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 9-2 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st place (113), CD MSW (2025/11/20-R10) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 3 | liberty nationwide max area | 6.12 | Kenneth G. McPeek Brian J. Hernandez Jr. | 1st place (103), CD MSW (11/29/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 7-2 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st place (103), CD MSW (11/29/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 4 | high quality mischief Mischievously | 5.84 | Brad H. Cox Marcelino Pedrosa Jr. | 1st place (93), IND MSW (10/29/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 10-1 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st place (93), IND MSW (10/29/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 5 | crown the buckeye Yapon | 0.00 | Michael J. Maker Jareth Loveberry | 2025 Joshua Radosevic Memorial Stakes LS 1st place (116) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 5-1 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 2025 Joshua Radosevic Memorial Stakes LS 1st place (116) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 6 | arabia wild gun runner | 0.00 | Brad H. Cox Axel Concepcion | 1st place (94), FG MSW (2025/11/22-R6) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 8-1 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st place (94), FG MSW (2025/11/22-R6) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 7 | very linked join | 7.09 | Kenneth G. McPeek Colby J. Hernandez | 2025 Kentucky Jockey Membership G2 4th place (99) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 9-2 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 2025 Kentucky Jockey Membership G2 4th place (99) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
| 8 | Mr. Punch Mischievously | 4.45 | Brad H. Cox Luis Saez | 1st place (100), CD Mcl (11/5/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | 6-1 | |
| closing race subsequent race | 1st place (100), CD Mcl (11/5/25-R7) 2025 Gun Runner LS | |||||
