Ocelli has made it into the field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs, after the scratch of Fulleffort.
Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.
Ocelli’s Path to the Derby
Ocelli will enter the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct.
The horse’s price tag was $12,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
The Team Behind Ocelli
Ocelli is owned by Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, and Front Page Equestrian (Kevin Page). This is the first Derby for all the owners.
Whit Beckman is the trainer. He’s 0 for 2 in the Derby, with his best finish being eighth with Honor Marie in 2024.
Tyler Gaffalione will be the jockey. He’s 0 for 7 in the Derby, his best finish being second with Sierra Leone in 2024.
Looking Back
- Ocelli’s last race was third in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 4 at Aqueduct.
- 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.
Beckman’s Perspective
“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.”
The Kentucky Derby is set for May 2.