Final Gambit - Kentucky Derby Context

A dedicated late runner, Final Gambit graduated the third time out in mid-February, rallying from far back to win a maiden special weight on Turfway Park’s synthetic track, going away by more than two lengths. He came back five weeks later to upset the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), earning a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth by closing from far back to win by daylight. The rapidly improving gray registered a commendable 101 Brisnet Speed rating for that victory. The big question is dirt; the lightly raced colt has raced exclusively on synthetics and turf. Final Gambit will try to emulate Animal Kingdom, who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby in his first dirt start.

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OWNER: Juddmonte Farm (Fahad bin Khalid) has compiled an outstanding 6-1-2-1 record in the Kentucky Derby, winning the 2021 edition via disqualification with Mandaloun. Empire Maker, who finished second as the favorite in the 2003 Kentucky Derby, came back to win the Belmont (G1) five weeks later, and Aptitude finished second in the 2000 Kentucky Derby. A champion owner in England and France, Juddmonte has received four Eclipse Awards for outstanding owner in America.

TRAINER: Brad Cox won his first attempt at the Kentucky Derby via disqualification, with Mandaloun being placed first in 2021, and Essential Quality was third the same year. The 45-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native has had multiple runners every year since then, recording a third with Angel of Empire in 2023 and a fourth with Catching Freedom last year. The two-time Eclipse Award winner also captured the Belmont (G1) with Essential Quality. His overall Kentucky Derby scorecard reads 11-1-0-2, and Cox also will saddle Tappan Street in this year’s field.

JOCKEY: Final Gambit will be the first Kentucky Derby mount for Luan Machado, who was a top rider in his native Brazil before moving his tack to America late in 2018. Machado won his second consecutive riding title, and fifth overall, during the 2025 Turfway winter/spring meet.

BREEDER: A gray homebred colt for Juddmonte Farm, Final Gambit was bred in Kentucky. Juddmonte owns the same record as a breeder/owner in the Kentucky Derby (6-1-2-1). Juddmonte has been recognized with five Eclipse Awards as the top breeder in America.

SIRE: A 10-length maiden winner, Not This Time exited a neck second in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with an injury and was forced to retire. He quickly developed into a top sire, making an impact upon the Triple Crown trail since his first crop hit the track in 2020. The 11-year-old stallion has produced seven Grade 1 winners from his first four crops. By Giant’s Causeway, Not This Time is the sire of 2022 champion three-year-old male Epicenter, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (G1).

DAM: The first stakes winner out of the Tapit mare Pachinko, a half-sister to Group 1 French winner Announce, Final Gambit’s immediate female family is filled with turf performers, and it makes sense Cox initially tried him on grass. Broodmare sire Tapit does offer encouragement for the main track. Known for siring a quartet of Belmont winners, Tapit ranked as the leading broodmare sire of 2023, counting 2023 Belmont winner and champion three-year-old male Arcangelo and 2023 Kentucky Oaks winner and champion three-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous among his notables.

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