Stakes Advance

Latest News June 4, 2025

Churchill Downs Update: Briley Hopes for Cleaner Trip as Coal Battle Returns in Sunday's Grade III, $400,000 Matt Winn

Norman Stables’ Coal Battle will look to rebound from a rough 11th-place finish in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (Grade I) when he returns in Sunday’s $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs – a race trainer Lonnie Briley hopes will...

Stakes Recap June 1, 2025

Churchill Downs Stakes Recap and Quotes: The $250,000 Old Forester Mint Julep

Pin Up Betty, owned and bred by Kirk Wycoff’s Three Diamonds Farm, collared pacesetter Charlene’s Dream with a furlong to run and drew off for a 1 ½-length victory in Sunday’s 49th running of the $237,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (Grade III)...

Stakes Advance June 1, 2025

Churchill Downs Stakes Advance and Update: Final Gambit Faces Familiar Kentucky Derby Rivals in Next Sunday's Grade III, $400,000 Matt Winn

Kentucky Derby (Grade I) fourth-place finisher Final Gambit is set to take on a field of seven 3-year-olds, including fellow Derby alumni Burnham Square, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold and Coal Battle, in next Sunday’s 28th running of the $400,000 Matt...

Latest News May 31, 2025

Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan Returns to Winner's Circle in $275,000 Blame Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since capturing the historic 150th “Run for the Roses” one year ago with an impressive 1 ¼-length score over Antiquarian in Saturday’s sixth running of the $270,000...

Stakes Advance May 31, 2025

Epic Ride Set for Turf Test in $225,000 Mighty Beau

Welch Racing’s speedy 4-year-old colt Epic Ride is set to try turf for the first time in his 13-race career when he faces nine rivals in next Saturday’s ninth running of the $225,000 Mighty Beau Stakes (Listed) at Churchill Downs.
The five-furlong...

Latest News May 30, 2025

Churchill Downs Update: Mystik Dan 'Couldn't Be Doing Any Better' Leading Into Saturday's Blame Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is set to make his return beneath the historic Twin Spires on Saturday at Churchill Downs in the $275,000 Blame Stakes (Grade III), and trainer Kenny McPeek couldn’t be more pleased with his progression into the race.
“He...

Latest News May 29, 2025

Churchill Downs Update: Brisset Eyes Stakes Double With World Record, Royal Spa on Saturday's Stephen Foster Preview Day

Trainer Rodolphe Brisset will attempt a stakes double Saturday with World Record in the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (Grade III) and Royal Spa in the $275,000 Shawnee Stakes (GIII), part of a stakes-filled afternoon on Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill...

Stakes Recap May 26, 2025

Churchill Downs Stakes Recap & Quotes: The $250,000 Winning Colors

Two Sharp broke alertly from the gate and led every step of the way in Monday’s 22nd running of the $250,000 Winning Colors (Grade III) at Churchill Downs to notch a 3 ½-length victory over longshot Benedetta.
 
Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Junior...

Latest News May 26, 2025

Churchill Downs Update: Top Contenders Finalize Preparation for Stephen Foster Preview Day; Kentucky Derby-Winning Trainer Don Combs Dies at 86

Several of North America’s top horses will converge at Churchill Downs on Saturday for Stephen Foster Preview Day, which features six stakes on an 11-race program, led by the $275,000 Blame Stakes (Grade III), the local prep for the $1 million Stephen...

Stakes Advance May 25, 2025

Churchill Downs Stakes Advance and Update: Grade III Winner Pin Up Betty Leads Field in Grade III, $250,000 Old Forester Mint Julep

Three Diamonds Farm’s Pin Up Betty, winner of last year’s Regret Stakes (Grade III), will face a competitive cast of 11 fillies and mares in next Sunday’s 49th running of the $250,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.
Sunday’s...

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