While the 158th Belmont Stakes (G1) June 6 at Saratoga Race Course gets the lion’s share of attention this weekend, the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) held a day later at Churchill Downs could have an impact on the 3-year-old division as well. The grade 3 stakes with a hefty $500,000 purse offers three also-rans from the Kentucky Derby a chance at redemption, and there are a couple of late-developing sophomores entered that are also worth keeping tabs on.
The 29th edition of the Matt Winn will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV.
1. Stop The Car: Late closer can get a minor share of the purse if the pace is fast enough. Comes in off of a rallying third in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, where he was no match for winner Crude Velocity (nor was any other horse). Might not have seen the best of this one yet.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
2. Potente: Offered appeal as a 17-1 longshot in the Kentucky Derby after two strong runs in California, including a win in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), but fizzled and finished 12. Potente had a rough trip, especially early, in the Derby and can win this race if he summons a career-best effort in his fifth start.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
3. Pavlovian: Has 11 career starts in the late spring of his 3-year-old season, and redefined his running style with two sharp, forwardly placed efforts in Kentucky Derby preps. Was eased and finished last in the Derby, however, and overall he seems to be a cut below the best here. First-time rider Luis Saez figures to be aggressive and could send him to the early lead.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Doug O'Neill
4. Our Moneyman: Louisiana-bred is an intriguing longshot as he’s never finished worse than third in seven career starts and rallied to nab show honors in his Churchill Downs debut, a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race on the May 2 Kentucky Derby undercard. He earned a career-best Equibase Speed Figure in that race and a step forward gives him a shot here.
JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Bret Calhoun
5. Corona de Oro: Was considered for the Kentucky Derby but did not get in off of the also-eligible list and then was no threat in the Preakness Stakes (G1) May 16, finishing 11 of 14. His other stakes appearance, a third in the Lexington Stakes (G3) in April, was better, but he figures to be a pace factor and nothing more in this spot.
JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
6. Taptastic: Well-bred colt has yet to fulfill his potential but only has three career starts on his résumé. He rallied to get third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) behind a pair of top-class runners and then mildly disappointed in his Churchill debut May 2, finishing fourth and a half-length behind Our Moneyman as the favorite in an allowance race. Could get attractive post-time odds as a possible upsetter.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
7. Further Ado: After a blowout win in Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in April, he was the tepid 5-1 post-time favorite in the Kentucky Derby. Further Ado retreated from a stalking spot midway through the classic race and finished 11th of 18. His two best races by far have come at Keeneland, and he will be over-bet as sizzling-hot Irad Ortiz Jr. gets back aboard after riding him in five of six starts prior to the Derby. A win threat for sure but far from a lock.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brad Cox
8. Steel Imperium: Makes his dirt debut in a tough spot after three starts on the all-weather track with one win followed by a ninth-place finish at 73.39-1 odds in the American Turf Stakes (G1T) May 2 at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard. He wore blinkers in that race and will have them removed here. Closer who might pick off a couple of tired runners in a best-case scenario against this field.
JOCKEY: Vincent Cheminaud; TRAINER: Caio Caramori
THE PICK: Taptastic
LIVE LONGSHOT: Our Moneyman
SUPERFECTA: 6-2-7-4
