Kentucky Derby Roundup: Owen Almighty takes Tampa Bay Derby

The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 54 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Owen Almighty wires Tampa Bay Derby

The third time was the charm for Owen Almighty. Runner-up in the Iroquois (G3) and Sam F. Davis S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the son of Speightstown secured his first win in a Kentucky Derby qualifier when leading from start to finish in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Setting fractions of :23.84, :48.16, and 1:12.54 left Owen Almighty with plenty in the tank to burst clear and win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:42.30. The Tampa Bay Derby awarded Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis; Owen Almighty climbs to second place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with a total of 65 points.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Owen Almighty

Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick saved ground behind Owen Almighty before staying on for second place in his first run of the year. With 35 points under his belt, Chancer McPatrick is up to eighth place on the leaderboard.

Hill Road, third in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), finished third in his 2025 debut and ranks 17th on the leaderboard with 24 points. Patch Adams and Brodeur rounded out the Tampa Bay Derby top five.

Getaway Car, John Hancock lead Virginia Derby field

A strong 10-horse field has entered Saturday’s Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Formerly a turf race held in summer, the 1 1/8-mile contest has switched to dirt for its 2025 renewal and is now a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points.

Leading the field is Sunland Park Derby winner Getaway Car, who ranks seventh on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 36 points. Sam F. Davis S. winner John Hancock, currently in 20th place with 20 points, is another high-profile entrant.

Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni Calling Card, American Promise, Omaha Omaha, Studlydoright, Render Judgment, and Georgia Magic add further depth to the lineup. Runaway Oaklawn Park maiden winner Rapture and Oaklawn $150,000 allowance optional claiming victor Authentic Gallop complete the field. 

Titanium Emperor wins Patton on European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby

The final European leg of the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derxby took place on Friday at Dundalk in Ireland. The Patton S., worth 20-10-6-4-2 points, ended in an upset as first-time starter Titanium Emperor romped by three lengths over Spicy Margarita, Mount Kilimanjaro, Powerful Lady, and Glinka, completing one mile on synthetic in 1:38.23.

Titanium Emperor ranks third on the latest European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but he isn’t currently nominated to the Triple Crown. The highest-ranked Triple Crown nominee is Mount Kilimanjaro, who sits eighth overall with 6 points. The Aidan O’Brien trainee placed second in the Criterium International (G1) last fall and started as a heavy favorite in the Patton, but he tired in the final quarter-mile while making his first start of 2025.

The European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby wraps up with the April 5 UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan in Dubai, worth 100-50-25-15-10 points.

Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Road to the Kentucky Derby points earners:

American Promise: Six furlongs in 1:11.80 at Oaklawn Park last Monday.

Baby Max: Four furlongs in :50.20 at Turfway Park on Wednesday.

Built: Five furlongs in 1:03.80 at Fair Grounds on Friday.

Caldera: Five furlongs in :59.20 at Oaklawn Park on Thursday.

California Burrito: Four furlongs in :49.40 at Turfway Park on Saturday.

Captain Cook: Half a mile in :50.42 over the Belmont Park training track on Wednesday.

Chunk of Gold: Five furlongs in a bullet :59.60 at Turfway Park on Saturday.

Citizen Bull: Six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Coal Battle: Four furlongs in :49.40 at Oaklawn Park on Wednesday.

East Avenue: Half a mile in :48.00 at Fair Grounds on Tuesday.

Gaming: Six furlongs in 1:12.60 at Santa Anita on Friday.

Getaway Car: Three furlongs in :36.60 at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Innovator: Five furlongs in 1:01.80 at Oaklawn Park on Tuesday.

John Hancock: Five furlongs in 1:02.00 at Payson Park on Saturday.

Madaket Road: Three furlongs in :37.00 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Poster: Five furlongs in 1:01.80 at Turfway Park last Monday.

Speed King: Half a mile in a bullet :47.00 at Oaklawn Park on Sunday.

Tappan Street: Five furlongs in a bullet 1:01.60 at Payson Park on Saturday.

Tip Top Thomas: Four furlongs in :48.38 at Palm Beach Downs last Monday.

Tiztastic: Five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Vassimo: Four furlongs in :50.33 at Palm Beach Downs on Friday.

American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Coal Battle (70 points)
2. Owen Almighty (65 points)
3. Citizen Bull (60 points)
4. Sovereignty (60 points)
5. Flood Zone (50 points)

European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Hotazhell (20 points)*
2. Opera Ballo (20 points)*
3. Titanium Emperor (20 points)*
4. Wimbledon Hawkeye (13 points)*
5. Camille Pissarro (10 points)*

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Luxor Cafe (30 points)
2. Myriad Love (20 points)*
3. Promised Gene (15 points)
4. Natural Rise (14 points)
5. Happy Man (10 points)

* Not currently nominated to the Triple Crown.