Six Speed could set pace of Kentucky Derby. What it means for others
Expert Ed DeRosa breaks down how Six Speed’s early pace could open the door for Renegade and other late closers to steal the Kentucky Derby spotlight.
- Ocelli will enter the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Wood Memorial on April 4.
- Trainer Whit Beckman is a 2000 graduate of St. Xavier High School.
This story has been updated to reflect a jockey change.
Ocelli has entered the field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs off the also-eligible list. Ocelli made it after the scratch of Fulleffort.
Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.
Ocelli will enter the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct.
Buy tickets here for Kentucky Derby 152
Color: Bay.
Bred in: Kentucky.
Sire: Connect.
Dam: Zalia, by Scat Daddy.
Price tag: $12,000 at 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
Owners: Ashley Durr; Anthony Tate; Front Page Equestrian (Kevin Page). First Derby for all.
Trainer: Whit Beckman. He’s 0 for 2 in the Derby, best finish with Honor Marie (eighth) in 2024.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. He’s 0 for 7 in the Derby, best finish with Sierra Leone (second) in 2024.
Record: 0-1-3 in six starts.
Career earnings: $109,800.
Last race: Third in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct.
Running style: Closer.
Notes: Ocelli made his racing debut last November at Churchill Downs, finishing third in a maiden special weight, and then headed to Fair Grounds. He finished sixth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and sixth in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs before finishing third in the Wood Memorial, getting nosed out for second by Right to Party. … Only three maidens have won the Kentucky Derby, and the most recent was Brokers Tip in 1933. … Beckman is a 2000 St. Xavier High School graduate and is in the Derby for the third straight year.
What they’re saying: “Him being a maiden is not necessarily a reflection of his ability,” Beckman said. “It’s more a reflection of our campaigning and what we did, knowing we might have a horse who could get to the race.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
