Saturday, March 7, 2026 brings the TAM Derby (Grade III [KYD]), a Kentucky Derby Points Race for three-year-olds at TAM (Race #12), contested at 1 1/16 miles on dirt for a $400.000 purse. Recent editions have been dominated by major outfits, and Mb Stables in particular has stacked up wins over the years. With multiple top barns represented again, there’s a realistic chance the trophy stays with a familiar owner/trainer profile.

1 — Starbright

Owner/Trainer: TwinTowersRacing | Probable Jockey: Bridgmohan S X
Starbright has already logged a 1 1/16-mile try at TAM in the DavisS $250.000, but that race shows him well behind early and still out of reach late. Prior to that, he ran 1 1/16 miles at GP in an allowance/optional claiming spot and improved late, which hints he can keep going when others tire, but the local prep leaves him needing a sharper middle-and-late sequence to threaten this field. He’s the type who can clunk up into the race if the tempo heats up, yet on the pasted lines he looks more like a longshot hoping for a major step forward.
Fair odds: 18-1

2 — Renowned

Owner/Trainer: Maxmillion Farm | Probable Jockey: Garcia Mar
Renowned brings the most convincing two-turn dirt resume in the group. He was competitive recently at SA at 1 1/16 miles and has already proven he can handle graded route pressure with his KyJckC (GII) effort at CD at the same distance. That combination—recent route sharpness plus established graded route capability—fits what the TAM Derby typically demands. If he reproduces that sustained run and stays within striking range turning for home, he has a very strong chance to be the one finishing best.
Fair odds: 7-2

3 — Silver Hurricane

Owner/Trainer: Mb Stables | Probable Jockey: Ortiz I Jr
Silver Hurricane is lightly raced but efficient, winning two of three and coming off a confident victory at SA over 6 1/2 furlongs where he stayed involved throughout and delivered late. The question is the stretch to 1 1/16 miles, as he hasn’t shown a dirt route line yet, and today’s pace-and-stamina demands are different. Still, Mb Stables has a long history of success in this event, and if Silver Hurricane brings the same composure into the longer trip, he’s one of the more plausible upset-capable runners.
Fair odds: 9-2

4 — Terrorizer

Owner/Trainer: TwinTowersRacing | Probable Jockey: Gaffalione T
Terrorizer has only two starts, but the most recent one was a meaningful forward step: he won a 7f maiden at GP after being close to the early leaders and finishing with authority. He now faces graded company and stretches to two turns, which is a sizable jump, yet his last race suggests enough tactical presence to secure position early. If he handles the added distance and doesn’t get drawn into an overly demanding early tempo, he has the upside to land a major say late.
Fair odds: 6-1

5 — Sweet Avenger

Owner/Trainer: Alydar Stables | Probable Jockey: Curtis B
Sweet Avenger looks like a primary pace influence. In his recent DED win at 7f for $125.000, he was forward from the start and kept finding enough through the finish, and his prior lines show a consistent tendency to be involved early. The main question is how that speed translates to 1 1/16 miles, especially if multiple rivals press the tempo. If he’s allowed to establish a comfortable rhythm, he can take them a long way; if the pace is contested, he’ll need to show another layer of stamina.
Fair odds: 5-1

6 — Illusionary Artist

Owner/Trainer: Nakamura Stables | Probable Jockey: Gallardo A A
Illusionary Artist exits the SwaleS $150.000 at GP at 7f, where he was right in the fight early and stayed on strongly. He also has a turf-mile line, but his most relevant recent dirt form suggests speed and competitiveness against good company. The question is whether he can carry that same energy through the second turn at 1 1/16 miles, yet his ability to stay engaged late in a strong sprint stakes hints he could stretch out more effectively than some.
Fair odds: 8-1

7 — Express Run

Owner/Trainer: Alydar Stables | Probable Jockey: Castillo I
Express Run has been tried in meaningful spots, including the LewisS (GIII) at SA, where he was unable to stay with the main flow late. His prior form shows wins and tactical ability, but the pasted route lines suggest he needs a cleaner, stronger two-turn performance to threaten for the trophy here. He’s one who benefits if the front group does too much too soon and the race comes back to runners finishing from behind.
Fair odds: 12-1

8 — Meekshallinherit

Owner/Trainer: Big Jd Racing | Probable Jockey: Da Silva F H
Meekshallinherit has shown reliability and has already run the DavisS $250.000 at TAM at today’s distance, staying in touch but not quite landing the punch late. His wet-track record is notable, though today’s listed surface is fast, and his overall profile suggests he can keep grinding when the race gets serious. He’s a candidate to be involved in the late picture, but he’ll need a stronger finishing response than he showed in the local prep to win.
Fair odds: 10-1

9 — Superior Palace

Owner/Trainer: Mb Stables | Probable Jockey: Corrales G
Superior Palace has legitimate route credentials, highlighted by his win in the GreySt (GIII) at WO at 1 1/16 miles, where he stayed within range and finished with purpose. His most recent graded route at GP (the HlyBul (GIII)) did not go his way, but the WO win shows he can deliver when the shape suits him. If he reverts to that more effective pattern, he’s a serious player for a major share with an outside win chance.
Fair odds: 9-1

10 — Hulk

Owner/Trainer: D J C Racing Stables | Probable Jockey: Elliott S
Hulk comes out of the DavisS $250.000 at TAM, where he was mid-pack and couldn’t bridge the gap late, and he also has a prior 1 1/16-mile attempt at SA where he finished back. He’s proven he can win, including a wet-track victory earlier in his form, but the pasted lines suggest he needs a more impactful late phase at this level and distance.
Fair odds: 20-1

11 — Unruffled Charm

Owner/Trainer: Williams9 | Probable Jockey: Maldonado E
Unruffled Charm has been competitive in quality company and exits the Lecomt (GIII) at FG at 1 1/16 miles, where he was in range earlier but could not sustain that position late. He’s shown ability on turf as well, yet today’s task is to deliver his best two-turn dirt finish against a deeper group. If he holds his position more strongly through the latter stages than he did in the Lecomt, he can be a factor; otherwise, he profiles as more of a contender for smaller awards.
Fair odds: 14-1

12 — Southwind

Owner/Trainer: Acber Farms | Probable Jockey: Ortiz J L
Southwind brings both class lines and dependable form. He ran in the DavisS $250.000 at TAM and stayed close enough to remain relevant, and he has stakes/graded credentials including his win in the BowMil $250.000. Much of his best work has been at shorter distances, but he consistently shows up in tough company and has enough tactical speed to secure a useful early position. If he’s still traveling strongly approaching the far turn, he’s absolutely capable of being in the winning mix.
Fair odds: 4-1

Pace Structure & Predicted Winner

Projected pace: Sweet Avenger and Illusionary Artist look most likely to set or force the early tempo, with Terrorizer also capable of being close to the front. Southwind and Renowned project to track in a comfortable stalking band, positioned to make their move without needing to chase a runaway leader. Silver Hurricane and Superior Palace read as mid-pack types who can press if the pace softens, while Starbright, Meekshallinherit, Unruffled Charm, Hulk, and Express Run look more dependent on the race coming back to them late.

Predicted winner: Renowned
Renowned owns the most persuasive blend of recent two-turn dirt form and a prior graded route performance at today’s distance—exactly the kind of profile that tends to win this race when the pace turns honest and stamina starts to separate the field.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN