Kentucky Derby Betting Weekend: A Four-Race Blitz

HORSE RACING
February 6, 2026

Kentucky Derby Betting Weekend: A Four-Race Blitz on the Road to the Derby

 

As the countdown to the 151st Run for the Roses dips below the 90-day mark, the horse racing world is bracing for an unusually packed weekend. Due to last week’s brutal winter weather forcing a schedule shuffle, fans and bettors will be treated to four major Kentucky Derby prep races over just 48 hours.

This weekend serves as a critical junction for three-year-olds looking to secure their spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Each of the four featured stakes offers qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale to the top five finishers.

 

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The Weekend Schedule

 

Friday, February 6

The action kicks off with two races rescheduled from the previous week:

 

Saturday, February 7

The momentum continues with two traditional Saturday staples:

 

Shifting Power Dynamics: The Pletcher and Baffert Factors

 

The Derby trail was recently shaken by the news that early favorite Ted Noffey has been sidelined for the Triple Crown season. However, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher remains in a position of power; following Nearly’s dominant win in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Pletcher has a new frontrunner in the divisional rankings.

Meanwhile, Bob Baffert continues his strategy of “divide and conquer.” He is sending high-priced talent to Oaklawn while keeping other stars at home in California to maximize his point-collecting opportunities.

 

A Closer Look at the Weekend’s Derby Preps

 

The Southwest Stakes (Oaklawn)

The marquee event of the weekend is the $1 million Southwest Stakes. With the official scratch of morning-line favorite Litmus Test, the spotlight shifts entirely to his stablemate Buetane. This $1.15 million purchase is looking to prove he belongs at the top of the class after skipping last week’s Holy Bull due to travel concerns. He’ll face a hungry field of 13 others, including D’code and Strategic Risk, who are looking to capitalize on the favorite’s absence.

 

The Withers Stakes (Aqueduct)

While the Southwest brings the money, the Withers Stakes brings the distance. Contested at nine furlongs (1 1/8 miles), this race tests the stamina of young three-year-olds early in the season. Mailata and Grittiness head into this contest as the likely market leaders, aiming to prove they can handle the demanding Aqueduct surface and the added distance required for Triple Crown success.

 

The Robert B. Lewis (Santa Anita)

Out West, the Robert B. Lewis serves as a pivotal proving ground for the California contingent. Desert Gate enters as the horse to beat, having already shown high-level consistency in the American Pharoah (G1). However, the presence of Intrepido ensures this won’t be a walkover. This race is often a tactical affair, and with a small but talented field, the break from the gate will be more crucial than ever.

 

The Sam F. Davis (Tampa Bay Downs)

The Sam F. Davis is known for producing “buzz” horses that thrive on the unique, often sandy surface at Tampa. Todd Pletcher holds a strong hand here with Epic Desire and Renegade, but he will have to fend off Brad Cox’s Commandment. This race serves as the primary local lead-up to the Tampa Bay Derby and is a vital stop for those looking to avoid the heavy hitters in South Florida or Arkansas.

 

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The Road to the Kentucky Oaks

 

It isn’t just about the boys this weekend. The “Lilies for the Fillies” trail is equally busy with three key qualifiers:

  1. Martha Washington Stakes (Friday, Oaklawn): $300,000 purse.
  2. Suncoast Stakes (Saturday, Tampa Bay): $125,000 purse.
  3. Las Virgenes Stakes (Sunday, Santa Anita): A high-quality $100,000 race featuring 2-year-old champion Super Corredora taking on Breeders’ Cup rival Explora.

 

Don’t Blink this Weekend

 

Between the rescheduling of snowed-out stakes and the standard weekend schedule, we are witnessing a rare “Super Weekend” of horse racing. For bettors, this is the prime window to identify an overlooked contender before they become a household name. Whether it’s the million-dollar showdown at Oaklawn or the tactical battle at Santa Anita, the picture for the 151st Kentucky Derby is about to get a whole lot clearer. Buckle up, the Road to the Roses just hit high gear.

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