Churchill Downs Update: Machado Confident Percy's Bar Can Rebound From Oaks Disappointment in Saturday's $175,000 Monomoy Girl

Jun 11, 2026

Jockey Luan Machado believes Hat Creek Racing’s Percy’s Bar has put her disappointing Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) effort behind her and is poised to return to top form in Saturday’s $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Percy’s Bar was tabbed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-old fillies. Trained by Ben Colebrook, Percy’s Bar won the Ashland Stakes (GI) by 2 ¼ lengths in April before finishing seventh in the Kentucky Oaks.

“The Oaks was disappointing because we know she’s better than that,” Machado said. “She didn’t have quite enough early kick to stay with the first group of horses, and we ended up a little wide around both turns. It just wasn’t the trip we were hoping for. Even so, it was a great experience to ride in my first Oaks, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

The daughter of Upstart established herself among the division’s top fillies with her victory in the Ashland and had already compiled an impressive résumé as a 2-year-old. Percy’s Bar won Churchill Downs’ Debutante Stakes (Listed) and crossed the wire first in the Alcibiades Stakes (GI) before being disqualified and placed second for interference.

Machado, who has been aboard Percy’s Bar for all seven of her career starts, said the filly has trained forwardly since the Oaks and remains capable of adding to her accomplishments.

“She’s a very talented filly, and she’s done everything right since that race,” Machado said. “I’m lucky to be riding her. She’s already won some important races, but I think there’s still a lot left for her to accomplish this season.”

Machado will break from post No. 5 aboard Percy’s Bar in the field of seven.

The field for the Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes in post-position order (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

Knickeandime (Rafael Bejarano, Randy Morse, 12-1)
Holly’s Holiday (Manny Esquivel, Kenny McPeek, 8-1)
La Rascasse (Axel Concepcion, Will Walden, 4-1)
A. P.’s Girl (Danny Sheehy, Peter Eurton, 6-1)
Percy’s Bar (Machado, Colebrook, 7-5)
Sneaky Good (Jaime Torres, Brad Cox, 3-1)
Point of Reference (Florent Geroux, Chad Brown, 10-1)
The Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes is scheduled as Race 9 on Saturday’s 11-race card with a post time of 4:56 p.m. (all times Eastern) and shares the spotlight with the $225,000 Chorleywood (Listed) in Race 10 at 5:28 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.

DOWN THE STRETCH – There was a $36,044 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot for the Twilight Thursday program that began at 5 p.m. The evening also included $2 domestic draft beer, live music from Ben Bernhard and local food trucks Drake’s, Lil Cheezers, Mr. C’s Cheesecakes, Soul Fire Company and Spinelli’s Pizza. … Sunday is Military Appreciation Day and all active-duty and retired military members will receive free general admission with valid military ID. Also, active military members, veterans and their guests can purchase discounted $45 tickets to Millionaires’ Row by calling (502) 636-4450 or through GOVX, at https://www.govx.com/a/601fe190-3f72-4d46-b698-08de73bbebad/churchill-downs.