2025 Kentucky Derby contenders – Pletcher preparing Disruptor, Grande for stakes debuts

Mar 07, 2025 James Scully

Grande wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

A two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, Todd Pletcher holds the record for number of starters, compiling an overall record of 65-2-2-4 since sending out his first Kentucky Derby runner in 2000. The Hall of Famer is gearing his top three-year-olds up for the final round of 2025 Kentucky Derby prep races, and let’s preview some notables.

Grande

A sharp debut winner over a one-turn mile in mid-January, Grande followed with a convincing allowance win over 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 27, and the unbeaten son of Curlin will make his anticipated stakes debut in either the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on March 29, the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 5, or Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct on April 5. Owned by Repole Stable, the dark bay colt will need to improve his Brisnet Speed ratings (career-best 88), but Grande remains a promising sort with a possible high ceiling.

Disruptor

An intriguing wildcard, Disruptor looked like he could be any kind when impressively breaking his maiden by a 9 1/4-length margin the second time out. But the performance didn’t come until March 1, which will force the $1.15 million yearling purchase to play catch up against more seasoned rivals this spring. By Gun Runner, the chestnut colt may have that kind of talent, but Disruptor still needs to try two turns and will get only one chance to qualify for the Kentucky Derby (Blue Grass, Florida Derby, and Wood all options). I loved his maiden win on the Fountain of Youth (G2) undercard and am excited to see what Disruptor has to offer next time.

KENTUCKY DERBY MAIDEN WATCH: DISRUPTOR LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

Is Disruptor ready to disrupt the Road to the Kentucky Derby? It’s possible after the chestnut colt delivered a fast maiden victory at Gulfstream Park last Saturday.https://t.co/t9RpYLSRh4

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 5, 2025

River Thames

A romping winner of his first two starts at one-turn distances, River Thames came up a little short when trying stakes and two turns in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, getting nailed in the final strides by Sovereignty. The setback called into question the Maclean’s Music colt’s affinity for longer distances, but River Thames registered an encouraging 99 Brisnet Speed rating (equaling the figure he received winning a mile allowance by open lengths) finishing a clear second. Longer distances remain a viable concern, but River Thames should benefit from his initial stakes experience and his tactical ability offers appeal.

Vassimo

After winning his first two starts, Vassimo faltered when trying stakes competition in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, finishing a well-beaten fourth, but the son of Nyquist will get another chance. Pletcher has been encouraged by his development since the setback and given that Vassimo raced closer to the pace winning his first starts, the bay colt will be equipped with first-time blinkers in the final round of Kentucky Derby preps.

Valentinian

Valentinian didn’t make his career debut until March 1, rallying to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Tampa Bay Downs going away by 3 1/4 lengths, and he’s probably getting started too late for the Kentucky Derby. But the $1.5 million yearling purchase hasn’t been eliminated from consideration yet. By Into Mischief, Valentinian is out of Rachel’s Valentina, a Grade 1-winning daughter of the great Rachel Alexandra, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 20 1/4 lengths.