Churchill Downs Update: Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Emery Attempts to Rebound as 5-2 Favorite in Chicago Stakes

Jun 19, 2025

Stonestreet Stables’ multiple graded stakes winner Emery will attempt to rebound from her fifth-place finish in last month’s $1 million Derby City Distaff (Grade I) when she faces 10 accomplished sprinters as the 5-2 morning line favorite in Saturday night’s $300,000 Chicago Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs.

Emery, a speedy 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready, scored victories last year in the $350,000 Raven Run (GII) and $175,000 Victory Ride (GIII) but has yet to find the winner’s circle in three starts this season.

Trained by Brad Cox, Emery completed her major preparation for the Chicago on Sunday with a half-mile breeze in :48.40. Since then, she’s returned to the track to gallop and, on Thursday, schooled in the paddock.

“She’s a fast filly and has been extremely consistent throughout her career,” Cox’s assistant trainer Trace Messina said. “The post probably isn’t ideal, breaking from the rail, but she has speed if she needs to go. She’s also proven she can sit just off the pace if need be. The Derby City Distaff was disappointing but the race came back pretty productive with Ways and Means winning the Bed o’ Roses during Belmont weekend and Scylla finishing second.”

Emery, purchased for $235,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, is out of multiple stakes winner Athena, who was trained locally by Helen Pitts and finished seventh in the 2017 Chicago Stakes.

Saturday’s 11-race program begins at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern), with the Chicago Stakes slated as Race 9 at 10:11 p.m. (all times Eastern).

The complete lineup for the Chicago Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

Emery (Florent Geroux, Cox, 5-2)
Mink’s Palace (Ben Curtis, Eddie Kenneally, 12-1)
Gray Lightning (Walter Rodriguez, Armando Hernandez, 30-1)
Brightwork (Brian Hernandez Jr., John Ortiz, 10-1)
Vahva (Irad Ortiz Jr., Cherie DeVaux, 3-1)
Marmalade Skye (Irving Moncada, David Jacobson, 20-1)
Harbor Springs (Edgar Morales, Greg Foley, 20-1)
Pigalle (Luan Machado, Tom Drury Jr., 12-1)
My Mane Squeeze (Luis Saez, Mike Maker, 5-1)
Claret Beret (Micah Husbands, Saffie Joseph Jr.,6-1)
Zeitlos (Flavien Prat, Steve Asmussen, 8-1)
The Chicago Stakes is part of the Dirt Dozen Bonus Series for the Breeders’ Cup. The top three Breeders’ Cup-nominated finishers of the Chicago Stakes will receive a portion of their entry fees to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

SATURDAY IS ‘DOWNS AFTER DARK’: The final Downs After Dark of the Spring Meet is Saturday and the event’s colorful theme is “A Caribbean Night at the Races.”

The 11-race program begins at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern) and is headlined by the $300,000 Chicago Stakes (Grade II). Guests can enjoy a variety of Caribbean-inspired entertainment, including dance lessons with Cari’Fete Afro-Caribbean Dance Movement, palm readings under the Twin Spires, an airbrush station by Bluegrass Airbrush, and a beachside limbo contest. The night will close with a sunset send-off featuring fire dancers and stilt walkers.

Live music kicks off at 5 p.m. with Ben Bernhard, followed by DJ Brandon Lee spinning coastal country vibes beginning at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colors, breezy fabrics, and bold accessories.

Tickets are available at www.churchilldowns.com.

DERBY CITY 6 JACKPOT STANDS AT $830,837 FOR THURSDAY’S NIGHT’S COMPETITVE SEQUENCE – Horseplayers will be chasing a massive $830,837 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot on Thursday night at Churchill Downs for the competitive sequence beginning in Race 3.

Thursday’s sequence: (with field size as of 11:30 a.m.)

Race 3 (5:58 p.m.): Clm 12500, 4&up, 1 1/16 M (four runners)
Race 4 (6:27 p.m.): Mcl 30000, f&m, 6 ½ F (six runners)
Race 5 (6:56 p.m.): Mdn 120k, 2yo f, 5F (T) (nine runners)
Race 6 (7:25 p.m.): Alw 20000s, 4&up, 6 F (six runners)
Race 7 (7:54 p.m.): Clm 50000n2L, f&m, 1 1/16 M (seven runners)
Race 8 (8:23 p.m.): Alw 127000n2x, f&m, 1 1/16 M (T) (10 runners)
Track conditions were Fast/Firm as of 11:30 a.m. with the temporary rail on the Matt Winn Turf Course set in Lane 4, 36 feet from the inside.

The Derby City 6 Jackpot tests bettors to correctly select all six winners, and if they have the only winning combination, they will take down the entire jackpot. If there are multiple winning combinations, 90 percent of the day’s pool is paid out with the other 10 percent going to the carryover. If there are no correct combinations, the entire day’s pool will be added to the jackpot.

Thursday’s Twilight Thursday card begins at 5 p.m. and includes $2 domestic beer, live music from Sweet Lady, and food trucks Bamba Eggrolls, Drakes, Romiro’s Mexican and Spinelli’s Pizza. The night doubles as Teacher Appreciation Night with discounted tickets for Millionaires’ Row available for all teachers by calling (502) 636-4450.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Corey Lanerie needs three wins to tie and four to surpass Calvin Borel for the second all-time leading rider in Churchill Downs history. Borel, who’s currently riding at Louisiana Downs, holds the No. 2 spot with 1,232 victories. Pat Day is the all-time record holder with 2,482 victories. … For more information about the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.