Churchill Downs Stakes Advance: The $250,000 Winning Colors (GIII)

May 21, 2025

Rigney Racing’s ultra-talented filly Two Sharp is set to make her 4-year-old debut Monday against eight rivals entered in the 22nd running of the $250,000 Winning Colors (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.

Two Sharp, a dominant 5 ¾-length winner of the Chilukki Stakes (GIII) to close her 3-year-old campaign, has been preparing for her return since early April. The speedy daughter of Twirling Candy was well-regarded throughout her five-race career, never going off at odds higher than 4-5. Two Sharp broke her maiden at second asking by 11 ¼ lengths at Saratoga, then finished a close second to Brightwork in the Prioress (GIII). She followed that effort with a 6 ¼-length allowance win at Keeneland before her Chilukki victory. Junior Alvarado will ride from post No. 9.

The aforementioned Brightwork is also slated to return in Monday’s Winning Colors. Owned by WSS Racing and trained by John Ortiz, Brightwork has been on the sidelines since finishing third in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (GII) on Oct. 5 at Keeneland. She began her career with four consecutive victories, including the Debutante Stakes (Listed), Adirondack (GIII) and Spinaway (GI). After off-the-board finishes in the Alcibiades (GI) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) when trying two turns, she rebounded with a win in the Prioress after cutting back to one turn. John Velazquez will ride from the rail.

The Winning Colors field also includes multiple Grade III winner Hope Road, who recently finished second to Kopion in the Derby City Distaff (GI), and Mink’s Palace, winner of the Roxelana Stakes (Listed) on opening night of the Spring Meet.

The field for the Winning Colors from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Brightwork (Velazquez, Ortiz)
Into Champagne (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes)
Benedetta (Keith Asmussen, Steve Asmussen)
Easy Red (Ben Curtis, Eddie Kenneally)
Harbor Springs (Edgar Morales, Greg Foley)
Miss Arlington (Abel Cedillo, Brian Williamson)
Hope Road (Florent Geroux, Bob Baffert)
Mink’s Palace (Jose Ortiz, Eddie Kenneally)
Two Sharp (Alvarado, Bauer)
Memorial Day’s nine-race program will begin at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the six-furlong Winning Colors going as Race 8 with a post time of 4:22 p.m.

Monday is Military Appreciation Day at Churchill Downs where all active and retired military members can enjoy lunch in Millionaires’ Row for $45. General Admission is free for active-duty military and retired veterans with a military ID. To purchase tickets, call (502) 636-4450.

TwinSpires will offer horseplayers a Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (“BCBC”) qualifier on Monday. The $800 entry, which includes a $400 live bankroll with the other $400 going to the prize pool, guarantees at least one seat to the BCBC, with additional seats for 50 or more entries. To register, visit www.twinspires.com/bet/tournaments/495/details.

For more information about the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.