Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule with stakes that offer qualifying points for the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.

This week, we take a closer look at John Hancock, the winner by a half-length of the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. The Constitution colt earned 20 points toward qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and ranks seventh on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Racing Résumé: Cleverly named John Hancock – by Constitution out of the Freud mare Scribbling Sarah – made a compelling declaration in his second start by improving to 2-for-2 with a half-length win in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. The race was a test of both stamina – stretching out from a three-quarter-mile sprint in his debut win to 1 1/16 miles – and class as his first try in a stakes race for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Brad Cox.

Not only did John Hancock pass the exam, he showed some significant grit when turning back determined runner-up Owen Almighty to emerge victorious from an exciting stretch battle. Third-place finisher Poster, the 2024 Remsen Stakes winner, was 2 ¼ lengths behind Owen Almighty.

John Hancock faced pressure throughout from Owen Almighty while setting a strong pace through a half-mile in :46.23 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.49. Given how fast he ran early, John Hancock’s final furlong in :12.95 seems like a positive indicator.

Speed Figures: John Hancock improved his Equibase Speed Figure from a 94 to a 96 and his Beyer Speed Figure from an 81 to an 85. He’s not yet fast enough by speed figures to be considered a top Derby contender, but he took a nice step forward in just his second start.

Running Style: John Hancock has set the pace in both of his races, including a three-length debut win Jan. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. He was headstrong early in the Sam F. Davis, so it looks like he prefers to be in front. Tactical speed is a valuable asset, especially if Cox can get John Hancock to relax a bit early.

Pedigree Notes: John Hancock is from the sixth crop of 2014 Florida Derby winner Constitution, by leading sire and powerful stamina influence Tapit. Constitution has sired 74 stakes winners through Feb. 10, including 2020 Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law. John Hancock was produced by the Freud mare Scribbling Sarah, a winner at 5 ½ furlongs and dam of 2020 Ashland Stakes winner Speech.

Derby Potential: Trainer Brad Cox said he will give John Hancock some extra time to recover after the hard-fought Sam F. Davis Stakes, bypassing the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby March 8 in favor of a 100-point Derby qualifying race in late March. That should give John Hancock a very good chance to improve again on six or seven weeks of rest.

Stamina and running style are the big questions for me with John Hancock in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, and I worry that three career races might not be sufficient foundation for a test like the Derby. Nonetheless, this is a talented 3-year-old with significant room to improve.