On the first Saturday in May 1976, Bold Forbes contested the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Angel Cordero, he led from the start, setting a "blistering pace", and won by half a length from the 2/5 favourite Honest Pleasure. In the Preakness Stakes Bold Forbes again took an early lead and set an exceptionally fast pace, but after a prolonged battle with Honest Pleasure, both horses tired in the final stages and were beaten by Elocutionist, with Bold Forbes finishing third. In the Belmont Stakes, Bold Forbes again led from the start and won by a neck from McKenzie Bridge with Great Contractor a further neck away in third.