Ocelli: Post 6; Morning Line: 20-1
Trainer: Whit Beckman; Jockey: Edgard Zayas
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026
Racing’s richest maiden is ready for his next big event, and again the $12,000 bargain buy will face the country’s best 3-year-olds.
Of course, he’s never finished first in his 10 career starts, but he’s been pretty close a few times. Incredibly, Ocelli briefly led at the sixteenth pole in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before being outkicked by Golden Tempo and Renegade.
He ran fourth to winner Napoleon Solo in the Preakness Stakes (G1), and second to Chip Honcho in the Ohio Derby on June 20. But last out, he “gave way” around the far turn and finished last of seven in the Haskell Stakes, with Baby Vino and Napoleon Solo running 1-2.
If nothing else, Ocelli is experienced as he’s already run in three Grade 1s in his last four starts. Trainer Whit Beckman has great respect for his bay colt.
Ocelli worked 4 furlongs in a leisurely 51.60 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday (Aug. 22).
“He went a solo half and galloped out great. He did it the right way, nice and smooth,” Beckman said after the workout.
Ocelli will be ridden Edgard Zayas for the first time as recent regular rider Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard Renegade, replacing the sidelined Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Ocelli has already finished behind half the Travers field: Golden Tempo, Renegade, Napoleon Solo, Baby Vino and The Puma.
Breaking from post 6, Ocelli seems likely to settle into a wait-and-see situation from near the back of the pack and will be in company with deep closers Golden Tempo and Renegade, the two favorites.
Zayas will be aboard for the first time, but Beckman believes the rider will give Ocelli a shot to at least hit the board with a closing run of his own.
“He’s ridden a couple for us; we like the trips he’s given us and the feedback he’s given us,” Beckman told drf.com. The trainer said Zayas has ridden two horses for him at the Saratoga meet, including a win on a 2-year-old named Let Em Know.
For the casual bettor, who wouldn’t want to have a $2 win ticket on a maiden pulling a huge upset in the Travers? If 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah can lose, so can Golden Tempo and the other favorites. Realistically, winning seems unlikely, but he ran third at 1 ¼ miles in the Derby, beaten by just a length. Don’t let him spoil your exotic wagers, either.
-- Richard Rosenblatt
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
