Grade I winner Intrepido turns in strong work at Santa Anita Sunday and connections hope for GI Kentucky Derby spot

Ranked 22nd on the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard and needing two defections to get in the field, grade 1 winner Intrepido will ship to Churchill Downs following a fast work April 19 at Santa Anita Park.

Kentucky Derby 2026 hopefuls like Intrepido can look to Rich Strike as inspiration. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Intrepido is on the Kentucky Derby bubble

Grade 1 winner Intrepido, who was fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 4, returned to the work tab Sunday at Santa Anita. The colt by Maximus Mischief drilled four furlongs in :47.40, which was quicker than trainer Jeff Mullins had anticipated.

Southern California-based trainers are generally known to have their horses work quickly in tune-ups for major stakes races. On April 26, that reputation was reinforced from two West Coast trainers preparing horses of the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1).

With the Kentucky Derby field nearly set, Intrepido has secured a place following withdrawals by other contenders. Renegade leads the odds at 4-1, ahead of Commandment and Further Ado at 5-1. Trainers are fine-tuning tactics, with notable adjustments like ...