Churchill Downs Stakes Recaps and Quotes: Iroquois, Pocahontas, Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove, Louisville Thoroughbred Society and Open Mind

Sep 13, 2025

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred Spice Runner is the early points leader on the 2026 “Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve” after the Gun Runner colt narrowly won Saturday’s 44th running of the $299,400 Iroquois (Grade III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs in thrilling fashion by running down 6-5 favorite Comport in the final jump. Vost was another five lengths back in third, Nothing Personal was fourth and Maximus Prime finished fifth.

Sent to post as the 5-1 third betting choice, Spice Runner ran one mile over a fast track in 1:36.59 under jockey Jose Ortiz for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the race for a record-equally fourth time. Earlier, Asmussen won the Iroquois with Thiskyhasnolimit (2009), Astrology (2010) and Lucky Player (2014).

Spice Runner banked the $177,525 first prize and 10 points on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” point system that will determine the field for next year’s 152nd Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on May 2, 2026 at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois was the first in a series of 36 select races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” and the top five finishing positions earned points on a sliding scale of 10-5-3-2-1, respectively.

Breaking from post position No. 5 in field of 10 2-year-olds, Spice Runner changed tactics and relaxed just behind the pacesetters. Longshot No More Cents and Comport, who entered the race unbeaten including a two-length win over Spice Runner in the $200,000 Ellis Park Juvenile on Aug. 10, battled for the early lead through swift fractions of :22.69 and :46.06.

Spice Runner, unlike his last start where he battled for the early lead, tracked in fifth down backstretch but began to improve position when Comport took command midway around the turn. After six furlongs in 1:10.83, Comport opened up to a two-length advantage at the top of the stretch, but Spice Runner, outfitted in blinkers, was hitting his best stride despite wandering inward in mid-stretch. Comport had the lead nearly every step of the way but was passed on the outside by Spice Runner just before the finish to win by a narrow head.

“Last time I rode him we were a little too close to the pace,” Ortiz said. “Steve told me today to stay off the pace and let him relax. He really dug in late to get the job done. He was a little green late and switched to his left lead but he was still coming. I think we still haven’t reached the top with him. He can still improve mentally but he’s on the right track. I’m really excited for him.”

Spice Runner paid $12.38, $5.42 and $4.16. Comport, under Tyler Gaffalione, returned $2.80 and $2.42. Vost, with Florent Geroux up at odds of 5-1, paid $4.

Nothing Personal and Maximus Prime were fourth and fifth, respectively, and were followed by Shake and Rattle, Nine Ball, So Special, Sometime and No More Cents.

Spice Runner, a Kentucky-bred full-brother to Grade I winner Gunite who finished second in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI), improved his record to 4-2-1-0. His career earnings now total $293,170.

The bay colt was bred by Ron Winchell and is out of the Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise.

“He’s definitely got room to grow,” Asmussen said. “The tactics he set today was a good improvement. He traveled very nicely. We might have a little mental issue because I think there’s more there. He has to be ridden hard to get there. It didn’t look like he was going to go by at first then got a little more focused. It definitely appears the talent is there.”

The next races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby come Saturday, Oct. 4 with the $650,000 Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland; $500,000 Champagne (GI) at Aqueduct; and $300,000 American Pharoah (GI) at Santa Anita.

IROQUOIS QUOTES

Jose Ortiz, jockey, Spice Runner, winner: “Last time I rode him we were a little too close to the pace. Steve (Asmussen) told me today to stay off the pace and let him relax. He really dug in late to get the job done. He was a little green late and switched to his left lead but he was still coming. I think we still haven’t reached the top with him. He can still improve mentally but he’s on the right track. I’m really excited for him.”

Steve Asmussen, trainer, Spice Runner, winner: “He’s definitely got room to grow. The tactics he set today was a good improvement. He traveled very nicely. We might have a little mental issue because I think there’s more there. He has to be ridden hard to get there. It didn’t look like he was going to go by at first then got a little more focused. It definitely appears the talent is there.”

Eddie Kenneally, trainer, Comport, runner-up: “He got a little keen today. I think he has some room to improve off of this one. Overall, we’re proud how he ran today.”

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TAKEN BY THE WIND WINS POCAHONTAS FOR NFL HALL OF FAME QB BRADSHAW

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025) – Taken by the Wind, co-owned by four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, scored a touchdown Saturday at Churchill Downs with a runaway 5 ¼-length win over Miss Complicated in the 57th running of the $251,250 Pocahontas (Grade III) for 2-year-old fillies.

Purchased for only $20,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, Taken by the Wind ran one mile in 1:36.50 for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., trainer Kenny McPeek and owners Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek et al), Bradshaw and Graham Leveston.

A Florida-bred daughter of Rock Your World out of the First Samurai mare Up for Grabs, Taken by the Wind banked $136,710 for the win and is the early points-leader on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” after collecting 10 points. The Pocahontas was the first of 33 qualifying races to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) to be run next May, and points were awarded to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.

Breaking from post No. 3 in the field of seven 2-year-old fillies, Taken by the Wind relaxed along the inside in fourth as Embrace the Moment led the field through early fractions of :22.75 and :45.57 with Our Two Girls in second and Dazzling Dame in third. As Embrace the Moment began to tire around the turn, Taken by the Wind tipped out and found room between Our Two Girls and Dazzling Dame to assume command with three-sixteenths of a mile to run. She kicked clear of the field approaching the final furlong.

“She broke well,” Ortiz said. “I just let the speed go after that. I tried to let her settle on the rail like she did in her last start. Turning for home, there was an opening and she went through there and opened up. She ran like an older filly today. She’s very exciting.”

In her previous start on Aug. 21 at Saratoga, Taken by the Wind won her debut by three lengths in an off-the-turf maiden special weight over seven furlongs.

“She’s only been here a few days,” said McPeek’s local assistant Greg Geier. “Kenny said she was training well and she backed it up today.”

For McPeek, who attended the Keeneland September Yearling Sale on Saturday, it was his record-extending fifth Pocahontas victory. Previously, he won with Dothraki Queen (2015), Daddys Lil Darling (2016), Fun and Feisty (2022) and VV’s Dream (2023).

Taken by the Wind (2-2-0-0—$180,710) paid $14.10, $5.18 and $3.82 as the 6-1 fourth betting choice. Miss Complicated, who rallied into second under Julien Leparoux after being squeezed at the start as the 9-5 favorite, returned $3.78 and $2.72. Joke Maker, with Luan Machado aboard, was another 2 ½ lengths back in third and paid $3.62 to show at odds of 12-1.

Dazzling Dame, Our Two Girls, Embrace the Moment and Starlit Sky completed the order of finish.

Taken by the Wind was bred by Courtney L. Meagher.

POCAHONTAS QUOTES

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Taken by the Wind, winner: “She broke well. I just let the speed go after that. I tried to let her settle on the rail like she did in her last start. Turning for home, there was an opening and she went through there and opened up. She ran like an older filly today. She’s very exciting.”

Greg Geier, assistant trainer, Taken by the Wind, winner: “She’s only been here a few days. Kenny (McPeek) said she was training well and she backed it up today.”

Julien Leparoux, jockey, Miss Complicated, runner-up: “She was a little slow to start but it might’ve benefited her with the speed in there. I thought she ran well.”

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ROYAL SPA GATE TO WIRE IN GRADE II, $400,000 FASIG-TIPTON LOCUST GROVE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025) – Breffni Farm’s homebred Royal Spa led every step of the way in Saturday’s 41st running of the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (Grade II) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs to defeat Alpine Princess by 1 ¼ lengths and become a millionaire.

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Rodophe Brisset, Royal Spa ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:42.53, just ticks behind Search Results’ 2023 record of 1:42.40.

Breaking from post position No. 3 in the field of six, Royal Spa broke alertly and set a comfortable early pace of :24.48, :48.42 and 1:12.7 without much pressure from a quartet of chasers: Corningstone, Our Pretty Woman, Alpine Princess and Free Like a Girl. Regaled was the trailer.

Gaffalione asked Royal Spa for more around the final turn and she responded to open up by two lengths. Alpine Princess, who won the $100,000 Mari Hulman George Memorial at Horseshoe Indianapolis in July, tipped out three-wide to challenge but could not close into the front-running Royal Spa.

“The plan was to just play the break,” Gaffalione. “She’s been breaking a lot more alertly lately. I saw not a whole lot of speed so I just sent her to the lead and was able to do everything.”

The victory was worth $244,140 to Royal Spa and increased her earnings to the milestone $1,096,732 with a record of 6-3-4 from 16 starts. This was the third stakes win of her career, all coming during her 5-year-old season. She also won the $100,000 Heavenly Cause at Laurel Park in January and this spring’s $275,000 Shawnee (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

In her previous two starts, Royal Spa ran second to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) and was fourth in the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (GI) at Del Mar on Aug. 2.

This was Royal Spa’s fourth win in eight starts at Churchill Downs with two seconds.

Royal Spa, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Violence out of the Mineshaft mare Bodacious Babe, returned $4.62, $2.86 and $2.12. Alpine Prince, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $2.86 and $2.40. Regaled, with Joe Ramos up, paid $2.92 to show.

Our Pretty Woman was fourth and was followed by Corningstone and Free Like a Girl.

Royal Spa was bred by her owner Rhonda O’Rourke.

“Rudy (Brisset) and his wife Brooke have done a great job with her to stretch out in distance,” O’Rourke said. “I’ve known her since she was a little dot on an ultrasound. This was a really special win.”

The Locust Grove is named after the 1790 Georgian mansion in Louisville that played home to ancestors of Churchill Downs founder Col. M. Lewis Clark.

LOCUST GROVE QUOTES

Tyler Gaffalione, jockey, Royal Spa, winner: “The plan was to just play the break. She’s been breaking a lot more alertly lately. I saw not a whole lot of speed so I just sent her to the lead and was able to do everything.”

Rhonda O’Rourke, owner, Royal Spa, winner: “Rudy (Brisset) and his wife Brooke have done a great job with her to stretch out in distance. I’ve known her since she was a little dot on an ultrasound. This was a really special win.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Alpine Princess, runner-up: “There wasn’t a lot of pace in there. I wanted to get her in the clear and was able to get there around the turn but she just couldn’t get there late.”

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BENTORNATO DAZZLES IN $300,000 LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025) – Bentornato, who hadn’t raced since his narrow half-length defeat to Straight No Chaser in last year’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) at Del Mar, dazzled in his 4-year-old debut by putting away classy leader Skelly and drawing away for a widening 5 ¼-length win over Here Mi Song in Saturday’s fifth running of the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society at Churchill Downs.

Bentornato, a Florida-bred, zipped six furlongs over a fast track in a stakes record 1:08.43 that broke Just Might’s 2021 mark of 1:08.71. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for trainer Jose D’Angelo and owner Khrysselv Mavarez’s Leon King Stable Corp.

This was the fifth stakes win for the son of Valiant Minister, who most notably won the $400,000 Gallant Bob (GII) at Parx as a 3-year-old.

As expected, Skelly, who entered the race with 19 top two placings in 22 starts, ran off to the early lead through an opening quarter mile in a swift :21.90 with Bentornato tracking to the inside just off his left hip. Around the turn, Skelly opened up but Bentornato swung to the outside and quickly engaged at the top of the stretch. From there, it was all Bentornato as he impressively drew away from all rivals in his first start in 315 days.

“This was all Bentornato,” Ortiz said. “He broke sharp and I wanted take him back to get outside. Once I was able to get outside, he just took off. He’s a really impressive horse and did a lot of that on his own.”

Bentornato rewarded his backers with $5.56, $3.86 and $2.90. Here Mi Song, at 14-1, rallied to pay $9.82 and $4.72 while being ridden by Edgar Morales. Skelly, with Luis Saez aboard, was another head back in third and returned $3.14 to show.

Roll On Big Joe, Durante, Ajaayb, Banjo Chris and Little Ni completed the order of finish. Nash, Full Moon Madness and World Record were scratched.

Bentornato, out of the Put It Back mare Her Special Way, won for the sixth time in his 10-race career. The $150,350 payday jumped his earnings to $1,282,180.

“Our goal is to get back to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and this was a great spot to get him back to the races,” D’Angelo said. “We’ll see how he comes out of this race to see if he needs another start before the Breeders’ Cup but he seems to be a horse that may not need to have another start. He’s been doing great since we got to Kentucky and Irad (Ortiz Jr.) gave him a great trip today.”

The race is named for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which opened for regular hours of operation in March 2021. The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is Louisville’s only on-site wagering by Churchill Downs in the heart of Louisville’s metropolitan scene. The premier club for Thoroughbred enthusiasts is open for private membership applications, and reservations for special events are being accepted. For more information, visit www.thelouisvillethoroughbredsociety.com.

LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY QUOTES

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Bentornato, winner: “This was all Bentornato. He broke sharp and I wanted take him back to get outside. Once I was able to get outside, he just took off. He’s a really impressive horse and did a lot of that on his own.”

Jose D’Angelo, trainer, Bentornato, winner: “Our goal is to get back to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) and this was a great spot to get him back to the races. We’ll see how he comes out of this race to see if he needs another start before the Breeders’ Cup but he seems to be a horse that may not need to have another start. He’s been doing great since we got to Kentucky and Irad (Ortiz Jr.) gave him a great trip today.”

Edgar Morales, jockey, Here Mi Song, runner-up: “He’s just such a cool horse. I’m so happy we were able to get up for second today. He tried so hard.”

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GRADE I MARE POSITANO SUNSET RETURNS OFF LAYOFF TO WIN $300,000 OPEN MIND

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025) – Positano Sunset, winner of the Grade I, $650,000 Madison at Keeneland in April, returned from a disappointing sixth place finish in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (GI) on Kentucky Derby Day and a 133-day layoff to fight back along the inside rail and defeat Mink’s Palace by a neck in Saturday’s 16th running of the $297,500 Open Mind (Listed) at Churchill Downs.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux for trainer Ian Wilkes, Positano Sunset ran 6 ½ furlongs over a fast track in a stakes record 1:16.14, besting Zeitlos’ mark of 1:16.87 one year ago. In doing so, she became a millionaire for owner/breeders Six Column Stables (Brad Stephens), Randall L. Bloch, John Seller and David Hall.

Gray Lightning broke from the rail and emerged as the early leader down the backstretch after opening fractions of :22.64 and :45.84 with Little Prankster chasing in second and Positano Sunset relaxed in third. Positano Sunset and a rallying Mink’s Palace engaged the tiring leader with three- and four-wide moves, respectively, at the top of the lane. The two match strides down the stretch but the classy Positano Sunset surged to the lead along the inside rail inside the final 50 yards for the victory.

“She broke really well and really dug in late to get the job done,” Leparoux said. “I’m really proud how she did that coming back off the layoff. She's a really nice filly.”

Positano Sunset banked the $185,000 first prize and improved her record to six wins and four seconds in 18 starts. Her career earnings total $1,054,463. The Open Mind was her third career stakes triumph.

“This is such a special filly,” said co-owner Randy Bloch. “This is the fourth generation of this family we’ve had for Ian and going back to (former Hall of Fame trainer) Carl Nafzger. We were riding hard in the stands for her to get through and she battled back.”

Positano Sunset returned $3.88, $2.70 and $2.10 as the odds-on 4-5 favorite. Mink’s Palace, ridden by Luis Saez, returned $4.16 and $2.72 with Taxed another 1 ¾ lengths back in third under Tyler Gaffalione and paying $3.52 to show.

Little Prankster was fourth and was followed by Gray Lightning. Impel was scratched.

Positano Sunset is a 5-year-old daughter of Goldencents out of the Consolidator mare Gigglin’ Gal and was bred in Kentucky by her owners along with the addition of Trish Henson.

Saturday’s race saluted the late Eugene Klein’s Hall of Fame filly Open Mind, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained winner of the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Churchill Downs who returned to the Louisville track the following spring to win the Kentucky Oaks. The New Jersey-bred filly was an Eclipse Award champion at ages two and three. A winner of 12 races and $1,844,372 in 19 starts, the daughter of Deputy Minister was enshrined in Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

OPEN MIND QUOTES

Julien Leparoux, jockey, Positano Sunset, winner: “She broke really well and really dug in late to get the job done. I’m really proud how she did that coming back off the layoff. She's a really nice filly.”

Randy Bloch, co-owner/breeder, Positano Sunset, winner: “This is such a special filly. This is the fourth generation of this family we’ve had for Ian (Wilkes) and going back to Carl Nafzger. We were riding hard in the stands for her to get through and she battled back.”