Reagan’s Honor commanded attention on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, rolling to a 6-length win and threatening the track record at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

The nearly black colt aced his first chance against winners, dispatching a solid group of older rivals in the “a other than” allowance. He took control out front and provided a big answer for jockey Jose Ortiz at the top of the lane, drawing off to complete the mile and a sixteenth in 1:42.02, just a hundredth of a second off the track record set by Grade 1 winner Olympiad in 2022.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Reagan’s Honor earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the second-fastest for a 3-year-old this season, behind Nearly’s 97 Beyer in winning the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream.

Reagan’s Honor will move forward to one of the major Derby preps next time out, most likely the $1.25-million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at nine furlongs on the dirt on Saturday, April 4 at Keeneland.

Jose said, “He ran fast and willingly. I really like him.”

Reagan’s Honor was acquired at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He has come a long way since debuting right before Christmas with a solid fourth-place finish in a sprint at Fair Grounds on December 20. Stretching out around two turns, he followed with a speedy maiden win on January 17. West Point campaigns him with Cherie’s husband, David Ingordo, and with Gabriel Duignan.

TDN Story on Reagan’s Honor and the Legacy of David Ingordo’s Stepfather John Shirreffs