🏇 19 days to the Kentucky Derby. This is Daily to Derby — your morning briefing on the road to Churchill Downs.
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KENTUCKY DERBY MONSTER POD
The First Two Chapters Are Live
In the Money Media · April 13
The first two chapters of the annual Kentucky Derby Monster Pod are live. First up, Randy Moss breaks some news about Further Ado and the events surrounding his run in the Kentucky Jockey Club and his return to the races as a three-year-old. Then we get a visit from our old pal Ramiro Restrepo, who gives us the scoop on interesting longshot The Puma.
These are the people closest to the horses. Subscribe to the ITM YouTube channel so you don’t miss a single drop as the Monster Pod builds toward Derby week.
🎥 Ramiro Restrepo on The Puma →
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DERBY DECISIONS
Chad Brown Has Decisions to Make
Louisville Today · April 12
Emerging Market is definitely in — Chad Brown confirmed his Louisiana Derby winner will take his place in the starting gate despite having just two career starts, which would make him one of the most lightly raced horses in Derby history. The paths for Iron Honor and Ottinho are murkier. Both ran a week ago Saturday in the Wood Memorial and the Blue Grass respectively, and Brown typically waits at least two weeks before breezing horses back after a race. With the Derby entry deadline looming, that timeline is getting tight.
Iron Honor moves into the main field with Class President out, but Brown hasn’t committed. Ottinho needs defections to get in. The next ten days will clarify both situations as entries close on April 25.
DERBY TRAIL
The Field is Converging on Churchill
DRF / HRN · April 11–12
The horses are Oscar Mike (on the move). So Happy ships from Santa Anita on April 21 — trainer Mark Glatt confirmed the colt will post his final California work April 18 or 19 before making the cross-country trip. Danon Bourbon also arrives April 21. The Puma vans from Gulfstream to Churchill on April 19 or 20 and takes up residence in Barn 42 — the same stall Mage occupied before his 2023 Derby win. Wonder Dean is already stateside and logged his first Churchill training session this weekend.
The post position draw is April 25 — Opening Day at Churchill Downs. That’s when the field becomes truly official and the race takes its final shape.
So Happy shipping details at DRF →
THIS SATURDAY AT OAKLAWN
Sovereignty vs Journalism — Don’t Sleep on This One
TDN · April 10
While the Derby contenders prep at Churchill, last year’s stars square off Saturday in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap G2. Journalism — 2025 Preakness and Haskell winner, runner-up to Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont — takes on reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty in what amounts to a 4-year-old season opener for both. Neither has raced since last fall. Jose Ortiz rides Journalism in Michael Tabor’s famous blue and orange. Bill Mott sends out Sovereignty.
It’s a reminder that while Renegade is the clear Derby favorite right now, the best horses in the country are headed to Hot Springs this Saturday — not Louisville in three weeks.
AN ITEM THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST
Louie Rabaut’s Kentucky Derby 152 Cheat Sheet — The Sporting Tribune →
TODAY’S OPEN QUESTION
Chad Brown could run three horses in this Derby — Emerging Market, Iron Honor and Ottinho. Which one interests you most, and why?
In the Money Media · Daily to Derby · Edition No. 4 · April 13, 2026
Kentucky Derby 152 · Churchill Downs · Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Post 6:57pm ET
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