Although the 158th Belmont Stakes, presented by NYRA Bets on June 6 at Saratoga, will draw significant focus this weekend, the Matt Winn Stakes, taking place the following day at Churchill Downs, might similarly influence the three-year-old racing landscape. This Grade 3 competition, boasting a substantial $500,000 prize, presents an opportunity for three participants from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve who didn’t win, to potentially achieve success. Additionally, a few emerging three-year-old contenders are also among the entrants and warrant close observation.
Viewers can watch the 29th running of the Matt Winn Stakes live on FanDuel TV.
1. Stop the Car: This horse, known for its strong finishes, could secure a smaller portion of the prize money if the race proceeds at a rapid tempo. Its last outing saw it finish with a determined third place in the Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by SAP, held during the Kentucky Derby undercard, where it couldn’t challenge the dominant winner, Crude Velocity. This competitor may still have more potential to show.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
2. Potente: This entrant was considered an intriguing contender at 17.89-1 odds for the Kentucky Derby, following two impressive performances in California, one of which was a victory in the San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse. However, it failed to perform well, placing 12th. Potente experienced a difficult race, particularly in the initial stages of the Derby, and could emerge victorious here if it delivers its top performance in its fifth career outing.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
3. Pavlovian: By the close of spring in his three-year-old campaign, this horse has accumulated eleven races, having altered its racing approach with two strong, prominently positioned showings in trial races for the Kentucky Derby. Nevertheless, it was eased and completed the Derby in the final position, suggesting it might not be quite at the level of the top competitors in this field. Jockey Luis Saez, riding for the first time, is expected to ride boldly and potentially guide it to the front early.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill
4. Our Moneyman: This horse, bred in Louisiana, presents an interesting possibility as an underdog, having consistently finished no lower than third across seven career races. It secured third place with a strong late run in its initial race at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming event held on May 2 as part of the Kentucky Derby program. Its performance in that race resulted in its highest Equibase Speed Figure to date, and further improvement could make it a contender.
JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Bret Calhoun
5. Corona de Oro: This horse was initially a candidate for the Kentucky Derby but failed to make the field from the alternate list, subsequently posing no serious challenge in the Preakness Stakes on May 16, where it ended up 11th out of 14. A previous stakes participation, placing third in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes in April, demonstrated a stronger effort, but for this race, it is anticipated to primarily influence the early speed rather than contend for a win.
JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
6. Taptastic: This colt, from an excellent lineage, has not yet fully realized its capabilities, having only three races under its belt. It made a strong late surge to secure third place in the Arkansas Derby, trailing two highly-rated competitors. Its initial appearance at Churchill on May 2 was somewhat underwhelming, where it finished fourth, a half-length behind Our Moneyman, despite being the favorite in an allowance event. This horse might offer appealing odds at post time as a potential surprise winner.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
7. Further Ado: Following a dominant victory in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April, this horse was the lukewarm 5.05-1 post-time favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Further Ado fell back from a closely trailing position during the middle of the prestigious race, ultimately finishing 11th out of 18. Its two strongest performances have distinctly occurred at Keeneland. It is likely to be overly supported in betting, especially with the highly successful Irad Ortiz Jr. returning to ride, having been its jockey in five of six previous races before the Derby. While a definite contender for victory, it is by no means a guaranteed winner.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brad Cox
8. Steel Imperium: This competitor will experience its first race on dirt in a challenging environment, following three prior outings on an all-weather surface, which included one victory and then a ninth-place finish at long odds of 73.39-1 in the American Turf Stakes on May 2 at Churchill, during the Kentucky Derby undercard. Blinkers were worn in that last race but will be absent for this event. As a horse that typically finishes strong, it could, in an optimal scenario, overtake a few fatigued opponents within this field.
JOCKEY: Vincent Cheminaud; TRAINER: Caio Caramori
THE SELECTION: Taptastic
PROMISING UNDERDOG: Our Moneyman
SUPERFECTA PREDICTION: 6-2-7-4
