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The Best Kentucky Derby Story You’ll Hear This Year
Edition No. 9 · Saturday, April 18, 2026 · 14 Days to Post
🎙️ The Musket Man Story
Every Derby season produces a moment that reminds you why you love this game. In our latest Monster Pod, Frank McGoey joins PTF for a full breakdown of Golden Tempo — the Curlin colt who rallied from last to win the Lecomte and ran third in the Louisiana Derby. And right after he tells us about the Lecomte winner’s chances, Frank drops a story about Musket Man that will have you howling.
We’re not going to spoil it here. Just watch.
▶ Watch the Golden Tempo Monster Pod on YouTube
📄 Free Derby PPs: Your Homework Is Here
Bris has released their Ultimate Past Performances for the Kentucky Derby — and they’re free. Every horse, every figure, every running line. No paywall. Download them, print them out, take them to your Derby party, and look like the smartest person in the room.
👉 Download Free Bris Derby PPs (PDF)
🔄 Cox Sends Out All Three
Big morning at Churchill Downs yesterday. Brad Cox sent out all three of his Derby contenders for works, and our friends at TwinSpires were on the scene. Thanks to TwinSpires’ Kyle Hampton (@_KyleHampton) for the interview — full video on TwinSpires’ channels.
Further Ado: 4F in :48.60, solo
“Amazing. It was a really good breeze. Traveling fantastic. Big gallop-out. It was controlled, and we liked what we saw.” — Brad Cox
DRF’s David Aragona was watching too: “One flashy workout under the Twin Spires, and all talk about Further Ado being a Keeneland specialist has ceased.”
Commandment: 5F in :59.60
“He’s a pretty basic workhorse. Doesn’t go real fast, but I feel like we got plenty out of him this morning. Galloped out well. Typical self — doesn’t really turn a hair. Really laid back horse. Easy to train.” — Brad Cox
Fulleffort: 5F in :59 flat, out in 1:11.60
“He’s really doing well. That’s his third breeze since the Ruby and I’m super pleased with all of them. Today was maybe even better than expected. We kind of tested him a little bit — asked him to pick it up, stiffer work, and he responded very, very well.” — Brad Cox
Three horses, three good works, one very happy Hall of Fame trainer. There’s still time to qualify for the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge — head to twinspires.com to learn more.
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📣 See PTF and JK Live in Lexington & Louisville
Wednesday, April 29 · 6:30–9:00 PM
Final Answers: The ITM Oaks & Derby Handicapping Event
The Manchester Hotel · Lexington, KY
Presented by Medallion Racing. Premium open bar, buffet, and a live taping of the Final Answers show with JK (Fox Sports 1), PTF, Phillip Shelton (Medallion Racing), and Maggie Wolfendale-Morley (Fox Sports/NYRA). Your ticket includes Friday and Saturday PPs. $155 — tickets won’t be available for long. Get yours here.
Thursday, April 30 · 5:30 PM
Derby Inquiries with PTF and JK
The Galt House Lobby · Louisville, KY
The questions we need to answer before the Run for the Roses. Free and open to the public. Book your Derby week stay at The Galt House and save $500/night.
🏁 Tonight: Sovereignty vs Journalism vs White Abarrio at Oaklawn
The $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap goes tonight — Horse of the Year Sovereignty makes his four-year-old debut against Preakness winner Journalism and Breeders’ Cup Classic hero White Abarrio. Post time 7:20pm ET on FS2 and FanDuel TV.
👉 Read PTF’s full Oaklawn Handicap breakdown at attheraces.com
We’ll have the full result and analysis in tomorrow’s edition.
🎆 Thunder Day
Thunder Over Louisville lights up the sky tonight — the 37th annual opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “Thunder in the U.S.A.” 14 days to post. Derby season is HERE.
📋 ICYMI
👉 Yesterday’s D2D: “A Bit Average”
👉 Chief Wallabee Monster Pod
👉 Renegade Monster Pod with Duke Matties
👉 Edition 6: Can I Bet the Derby on Kalshi?
👉 Free Kentucky Derby PPs via Equibase
👉 Derby OddsWatch
❓ Today’s Open Question
Sovereignty or Journalism tonight at Oaklawn — and does the result change anything about the Derby picture?
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📚 Previous Editions
Edition 8 · April 17, 2026 — “A Bit Average”
Edition 7 · April 16, 2026 — Renegade Looks As Expected
Edition 6 · April 15, 2026 — Can I Bet the Derby on Kalshi?
