June 26, 2021 Stakes Race Preview (Churchill Downs)

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G2 Fleur de Lis Stakes

  • Race: #5
  • Post Time: 2:45 PM
  • Length: 1 1/8 M
  • Purse: $300,000
  • Type: Fillies & Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up

 

Field:

  1. Point of Honor (J. Castellano), 6-1
  2. Antoinette (F. Geroux), 20-1
  3. Vault (T. Gaffalione), 10-1
  4. Envoutante (B. Hernadez Jr.), 2-1
  5. Spice is Nice (J. Velasquez), 8-1
  6. Letruska (J. Ortiz), 4-5

Preview:

Letruska comes into this race as the heavy favorite after capturing both the Apple Blossom and Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont. Vault won the Ruffian Stakes on May 2 at Belmont for her first Grade 2 victory. The main competitor for Letruska is Envoutante who recently won the local Shawnee Stakes. Two starts ago, Envoutante lost to Shedaresthedevil by one length in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes. Letruska is the best horse in this race by far but Envoutante is the only horse that compares to her here. The favorites should win this race so I advice you to key 4,6 in a Pick 4-6 and go from there.

Picks:

Key 4,6 in a multi race exotic wager. If not a 4,6 exacta would also work but, it wont return much. If you’re looking for a single bet in this race look at the #4 in Envoutante to win. 

 

G3 Bashford Manor

  • Race: #9
  • Post Time: 4:55 PM
  • Length: 6F
  • Purse: $150,000
  • Type: Open | 2 Year Olds

 

Field:

  1. Vodka n Water (J. Ortiz), 6-1
  2. Lansdowne (J. Court), 7-2
  3. Tapped Off (D. Van Dyke), 12-1
  4. Glacial (J. Talamo), 3-1
  5. Whatstheconnection (M. Pedroza), 20-1
  6. Knocker Down (C. Murphy), 20-1
  7. Whistlewhileyoumow (G. Saez), 30-1
  8. Double Thunder (J. Velasquez), 4-1
  9. Red Run (R. Santana Jr.), 7-2
  10. Rising Outlaw (R. Bejarano), 30-1
  11. Shesgotattitude (J. Graham), 20-1

Preview:

Glacial won in his career debut in front-running fashion at Churchill over Vodka n Water. Lansdowne also won his debut at Churchill on May 22. Red Run became the first winner for his highly regarded freshman sire with a three-wide rally on debut in the Churchill slop May 9.  Double Thunder also won his maiden at Monmouth and posted a field-best 60 Beyer Speed Figure. Shesgotattitude takes the 11 post and will try for a win against the boys following a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Juvenile S. in the slop on April 28.

Picks:

W/P/S: #3

 

G2 Wise Dan

  • Race: #10
  • Post Time: 5:26 PM
  • Length: 1 1/16 M
  • Purse: $300,000
  • Type: Open | 4 Year Olds And Up

 

Field:

  1. Set Piece (F. Geroux), 8-5
  2. Mutakatif (M. Murrill), 50-1
  3. Somelikeithotbrown (J. Ortiz), 2-1
  4. Super Sol (G. Saez), 20-1
  5. Hierarchy (A. Beschizza), 15-1
  6. Kentucky Ghost (R. Bejarano), 20-1
  7. Ride a Comet (T. Gaffalione), 5-1
  8. Field Pass (R. Santana Jr.), 5-1
  9. Spooky Channel (J. Velasquez), 15-1
  10. In Love (J. Talamo), 20-1

Preview:

Somelikeithotbrown comes into the race as the favorite after securing a graded stakes win in the past three seasons. Set Piece will also be looking for his third straight stakes win. The 5-year-old gelded son of Dansili is entering this race off a dominating victory in the prep race for the Wise Dan, the Douglas Park Overnight Stakes. Another horse to look at in this race is Field Pass who is a three time Grade 3 winner.

Picks:

Exacta: 3,8/ 1

 

G2 Stephen Foster

  • Race: #11
  • Post Time: 5:59 PM
  • Length: 1 1/8 M
  • Purse: $600,000
  • Type: Open | 4 Year Olds And Up

 

Field:

  1. Chess Chief (J. Velasquez), 12-1
  2. Empty Tomb (R. Santana Jr.), 30-1
  3. Necker Island (M. Murrill), 15-1
  4. Sprawl (B. Hernandez Jr.), 10-1
  5. Silver Dust (A. Beschizza), 6-1
  6. Warrior’s Charge (F. Geroux), 6-1
  7. South Bend (T. Gaffalione), 12-1
  8. Maxfield (J. Ortiz), 4-5
  9. Visitant (J. Graham), 6-1

Preview:

The 4/5 Maxfield is the standout in this field as he’s the only Grade 1 winner. He’s won 6 out of his 7 races and finished 3rd in the only race he hasn’t won. Maxfield is also fresh off a dominant win in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes. Another contender is Chess Chief who won a similar race in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes before finishing third in the Alysheba Stakes behind Maxfield and Visitant. Silver Dust is also fresh off a stakes win in the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes.

Picks:

Exacta: 1,7/ 8