Nashville Derby Picks — European Raider Causeway The One To Beat at Kentucky Downs (Sep 5)

• When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 5:36 PM ET
• Where: Kentucky Downs, Kentucky
• How to Watch: FanDuel TV

A notable weekend of ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup races are set for Kentucky Downs this Saturday, with the second-richest turf race in the U.S. coming in the form of the Nashville Derby. A star-studded field of talented equines will be in action in Kentucky, ensuring a competitive betting heat at the best horse racing betting sites. You can find the latest odds and our Nashville Derby picks here.    

Nashville Derby Odds

Horse (Draw)	Odds
Royal Causeway (1)	+2500
Royal Guard (2)	+1400
Glacius (3)	+275
Caroline St. Beat (4)	+1400
Versailles Road (5)	+2000
Causeway (6)	+162
Fuzzbuster (7)	+2500
Fancy Sailor (8)	+1400
Gostam (9)	+275
So Grey (10)	+3300
Nil Bua Gan Dua (11)	+900
Blackmail (12)	+2000

Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.

Race Information & Records

Stat	Information
Race Distance	1 5/16 Miles
Purse	$3,000,000
Most Successful Trainer	Todd Pletcher, William Mott (2)
Most Successful Jockey	Frankie Dettori (2)

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Nashville Derby: Recent Winners

• 2025– Wimbledon Hawkeye (Frankie Dettori/James Owen)
• 2024– Bellum Justum (Frankie Dettori/Andrew Balding)
• 2023– Anglophile (Declan Cannon/Brian Lynch)
• 2022– Kitodan (Gerardo Corrales/Eric Foster)
• 2021– Accredit (Martin Garcia/Pavel Matejka)

Nashville Derby: Betting Preview

One of the biggest weekends on the Kentucky Downs schedule is set for this weekend, with the high-quality card headlined by the G2 Nashville Derby. A huge purse of $3 million will be up for grabs in Kentucky, which has attracted the interest of a number of significant European contenders.

Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up with Causeway this weekend, with the three-year-old showing an excellent ability in seven career starts, winning on five occasions. He was the winner of the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, before disappointing when last of seven in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Nothing of that race’s quality is involved this weekend, ensuring he is a solid favorite.

Glacius is another European raider to consider this weekend, with Luis Saez retaining the ride having won aboard the three-year-old in the G1 Saratoga Derby last month. That was his first victory in five attempts in stakes company, but he was a highly-regarded juvenile, including finishing within four lengths of Bow Echo in the Ascendant Stakes and a close third in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

There will also be German interest in the race this weekend, as Gostam takes his chance. The three-year-old ran a huge race to finish within four lengths of Constitution River in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club in May, but was below that standard when well beaten in the G1 German Derby last time. However, a return to a quicker surface is a big strength to his chances.

Versailles Road and Fancy Sailor give North American trainers a strong hand after recent wins, while So Grey should be capable of running a big race on stable debut for Michael Maker after finishing a close second at Saratoga last month. Further improvement should also be expected by Carolina St. Beat for trainer Miguel Clement, who was last seen finishing a neck second on his return to the track following a long layoff.

Nashville Derby Picks

The European raiders are worth following in the Nashville Derby this weekend, and Joseph O’Brien’s Nil Bua Gan Dua could prove to be the value play. The three-year-old produced a career-best effort when wearing first-time headgear at Gowran Park last time out, holding off Vautingly to win by a short head.

The drop back to a mile and two should suit, having previously run a stormer when within two lengths of Lost Boys in the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot. Had trouble in running on that day, and his ability to stay further will give him an advantage at this track, as he will be coming late in the race to make his move.

Had previously shown plenty at the highest level, finishing a close third behind Benvenuto Cellini in the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. Yard have excelled with their three-year-old runners this season, and fast ground suits this son of American Pharoah.

Free Pick:

• Nil Bua Gan Dua