Andy Newton
The Grade 3 Ohio Derby is one of the biggest races of the summer for three-year-olds outside the Triple Crown series.
Run at Thistledown Racetrack near Cleveland, Ohio, the race has often attracted horses coming out of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes trail, while also providing a platform for late-developing sophomores to announce themselves on the national stage.
The 2026 renewal carries a horse racing purse of $500,000 and is contested over 1 1/8 miles (nine furlongs) on dirt.
With the Bob Baffert-trained Desert Gate heading a field of ten Ohio Derby runners as the yard look for their first success in the race.
2026 Ohio Derby: Time, Date and TV Information
- Race: Grade 3 Ohio Derby
- Track: Thistledown Racetrack, Ohio
- Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Distance: 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)
- Surface: Dirt
- Purse: $500,000
- Age Restriction: Three-year-olds only
The Ohio Derby is traditionally the feature event on Thistledown’s biggest race day of the year and is expected to be shown on major US racing networks, including FanDuel TV, with live streaming available through leading ADW platforms.
2026 Ohio Derby Runners, Post Positions, Odds and Profiles
1. Chad Allan (6/1)
- Jockey: Alexander Chavez
- Trainer: Robert A. Young
Trainer Robert Young’s colt arrives at Thistledown as one of the more progressive runners in the field. The son of Union Rags has improved considerably since being stepped up in distance earlier this spring and comes into the Ohio Derby off a series of solid efforts around two turns.
Chad Allan broke his maiden at Remington Park as a juvenile and has steadily climbed the class ladder since.
His most recent outing saw him run a career-best race in stakes company, showing plenty of grit in the stretch. While he lacks the graded stakes credentials of some rivals, his profile suggests there could still be improvement to come.
2. Robusta (20/1)
- Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
- Trainer: Doug O’Neill
One of the most accomplished runners in the field and a colt from the powerful Calumet Farm operation.
Robusta possesses tactical speed and arrives with strong graded stakes credentials. Doug O’Neill knows exactly what it takes to win major dirt races, and this colt looks sure to be involved from the outset. A major player.
3. Chip Honcho (3/1)
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
One of the class acts in the race, Chip Honcho has already proven himself against some of the best three-year-olds in America. T
rained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, he was runner-up in the Louisiana Derby before going on to contest the Triple Crown trail.
His latest run came in the Preakness Stakes, where he produced a highly creditable effort against elite opposition. That form stands out strongly in this field and explains why many handicappers view him as one of the horses to beat in the Ohio Derby.
4. Trendsetter (5/1)
- Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
- Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Ben Colebrook’s Trendsetter may not have the profile of some of the Triple Crown runners, but he has quietly put together an excellent campaign. The colt is best known for his powerful late kick and has been finishing his races strongly throughout the spring.
His latest start was another solid stakes effort, and many analysts believe the expected strong pace in the Ohio Derby could play perfectly into his hands. A first graded stakes victory would be the biggest success of his career to date.
5. Ocelli (9/2)
- Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
- Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Whit Beckman’s Ocelli brings arguably the most eye-catching recent form into the race. Still searching for his first stakes victory, he nevertheless announced himself as a serious talent when finishing a remarkable third in the 2026 Kentucky Derby at odds of 70-1.
He followed that run by competing in the Preakness Stakes, where he again ran with credit against top-level opposition. Although still a maiden stakes winner, his Triple Crown performances suggest a major breakthrough could be close.
6. Zihnal (30/1)
- Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel
- Trainer: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan Thomas trains this improving colt for the famous Augustin Stable. Zihnal has largely built his reputation through allowance and minor stakes company, where he has shown stamina and consistency.
His latest run suggested he is still progressing, and connections have targeted the Ohio Derby in search of a breakthrough graded stakes success.
While he lacks the headline form of some rivals, his staying power makes him an interesting outsider.
7. Bull by the Horns (12/1)
- Jockey: Micah Husbands
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Saffie Joseph Jr.’s colt enters the Ohio Derby after competing against some of the strongest three-year-olds in training. Bull by the Horns most recently lined up in the Preakness Stakes and acquitted himself respectably despite not threatening the principals.
Earlier in the season he picked up valuable stakes experience and has developed into a tough, durable performer. His biggest career success came in listed stakes company, while a graded stakes breakthrough remains the next target.
8. Desert Gate (5/2)
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
The likely favourite and the horse with the strongest current momentum. Bob Baffert’s Desert Gate arrives at Thistledown having won his last two starts after the addition of blinkers transformed his form.
The son of Omaha Beach has shown both speed and versatility, proving capable of making the running or stalking just behind the pace.
Those ‘back-to-back’ stakes victories have established him as one of the leading three-year-olds outside the Triple Crown winners, and a win in the Ohio Derby would be the biggest success of his career so far.
9. Jupiter (30/1)
- Jockey: Angel Diaz
- Trainer: Nestor Rivera
Nestor Rivera’s Jupiter is one of the lesser-exposed runners in the field. He has steadily worked his way through the ranks and earned his Ohio Derby opportunity through consistent performances in regional stakes races.
His latest outing produced another respectable effort, and while he faces a significant rise in class, he possesses enough tactical speed to stay competitive early.
A placing in the Ohio Derby would represent a career-best achievement.
10. Albus (10/1)
- Jockey: Jaime Torres
- Trainer: Riley Mott
Riley Mott’s Albus owns one of the strongest individual victories in the field after landing the Grade 2 Wood Memorial earlier this spring. That performance secured his place in the Kentucky Derby and marked him as one of the leading colts of his generation.
His most recent run came in the Kentucky Derby, where he never became involved after encountering difficulties in the large field.
Connections have freshened him since, and many believe a return to a smaller field could see him reproduce the form that earned him Wood Memorial glory.
Among the Ohio Derby runners, Albus arguably owns the most prestigious victory on paper, while his combination of class and untapped potential makes him one of the race’s most intriguing contenders.
Note: Odds shown are subject to change
2026 Ohio Derby Betting Picks and Predictions
The 2026 Ohio Derby looks tailor-made for DESERT GATE, who arrives at Thistledown as the horse in form and arguably the runner with the most upside in the field.
Bob Baffert’s colt has been transformed since the addition of blinkers earlier this season, reeling off dominant victories in both the Hot Springs Stakes and Texas Derby at Lone Star Park (watch below).
Those wins weren’t just visually impressive – they came by wide margins and produced some of the strongest speed figures in the field. Desert Gate also has the tactical advantage of being able to race on or just off the pace, which should allow Flavien Prat to secure an ideal position from the outset.
With proven class, improving form and a trainer who excels in major dirt races, he sets a very high standard.
Chip Honcho and Ocelli The Dangers
The biggest danger could be Chip Honcho, whose Triple Crown form stacks up extremely well against this opposition. Steve Asmussen’s colt was runner-up in the Louisiana Derby before running a strong race when third in the Preakness Stakes.
He has consistently held his own against some of the best three-year-olds in America and looks certain to appreciate returning to the nine-furlong trip. If Desert Gate faces pressure up front or fails to reproduce his recent form, Chip Honcho is the runner most likely to capitalise.
For third place, Ocelli makes plenty of appeal at a bigger price. Whit Beckman’s colt produced one of the surprise performances of the spring when finishing third in the Kentucky Derby before following up with a solid fourth in the Preakness.
His closing style could be perfectly suited if the early pace becomes contested between Desert Gate, Robusta and Chip Honcho. Ocelli is still seeking his first stakes victory, but his performances in the Triple Crown races suggest he has the talent to land a race of this nature sooner rather than later.
But Desert Gate is the Ohio Derby pick to give trainer Bob Baffert his first win in the race.
Ohio Derby Predicted 1-2-3 Finish
🥇Desert Gate
🥈Chip Honcho
🥉Ocelli
- Best Bet: Desert Gate
- Value Bet: Ocelli
- Trifecta Pick: Desert Gate – Chip Honcho – Ocelli
Who Won the Ohio Derby Last Year (2025)?
The 2025 Ohio Derby was won by Mo Plex, trained by Jeremiah Englehart and ridden by Joseph Ramos.
The New York-bred colt enjoyed an ideal trip before powering clear to land the Grade 3 contest and collect the winner’s share ($300,000) of the $500,000 purse.
He stopped the clock in 1:50.72 for the nine-furlong distance.
Mo Plex travelled strongly throughout the race and produced his winning move at the perfect moment, rewarding connections with one of the biggest victories of his career.
The success further enhanced his reputation among the leading three-year-olds of the season.
Brief History of the Ohio Derby
The Ohio Derby is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the Midwestern United States.
First run in 1876, it has long served as a showcase event for elite three-year-olds and has been won by several future stars of American racing.
Over the decades, the race has grown into Thistledown’s signature event and remains an important stop on the summer stakes calendar.
Recent notable winners include Mo Plex (2025), Batten Down (2024) and Two Phil’s (2023), underlining the race’s continued ability to attract talented horses from some of the sport’s leading stables.
Winning-Most Ohio Derby Trainers
- 2 – Edward D. Brown (1876, 1881)
- 2 – Clarence S. Buxton (1931, 1932)
- 2 – Woody Stephens (1955, 1979)
- 2 – Richard W. Small (1986, 1999)
- 2 – Thomas M. Amoss (2016, 2020)
- 2 – Brad H. Cox (2019, 2022)
