Churchill Downs Race 8 - Race 8 - Maiden Special Weight
STOMPIN GRAPES (2) is a five-start maiden who is building towards a win, the latest run an encouraging second over 1710m at Gulfstream Park (Dirt) after being in contention on the turn. Meeting a tougher field but on his best form he is one of the chief contenders. TIERNANOGUE (3) is a four-start maiden who is knocking on the door after a narrow defeat last start over 1710m at Fairgrounds (Dirt) after being prominent at the bend. Taking on a better line-up this time but he is good enough to play a major role. DIRECT STRIKE (8) finished 4.5 lengths away in fifth last time out over 1710m at Fairgrounds when fresh from a spell as $3 favourite. Steps up in journey today. Right in this. SILVER SHOT (9) turned in a better run last start, beaten 4.5 lengths into fourth over 1811m at Oaklawn Park. Likely improver with strong top-three prospects.

Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Not raced for 50 days. Resuming 4th of 9 at Fairgrounds on February 14 over 1207m, 13 len behind Trouble Calling carrying 54.5kg at $61.90. Last start 3rd in a small field at Fairgrounds on March 7 over 1710m, 7 len behind Corona De Oro with 53kg at $17.50. Should go well.
Last Starts 50 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/5 | 07/03/2026 | 21 | MDN 3U | $75,843.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Jim Graham | 53kg | 1:42.80 | 3-4-3 | 5 |
| 7.3L | $17.50 |
| 4/9 | 14/02/2026 | 230 | MDN 3 | $92,725.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:09.18 | 4-7-4 | 4 |
| 13.5L | $61.90 |
| 8/11 | 29/06/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $186,625.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Jim Graham | 54kg | 1:08.65 | 10-11-8 | 3 |
| 16.0L | $64.48 |

Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 37-day let-up. Last start 2nd of 8 at Gulfstream Park on March 20 over 1710m, 1.5 len behind Make My Day carrying 57kg at $3.30. The race before that 4th in a small field at Gulfstream Park on February 8 over 1609m, 4 len behind First Call Bob carrying 56kg at $9.30. Further improvement is anticipated.
Last Starts 37 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 20/03/2026 | 40 | MDN 3U | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | SP | Edgard J Zayas | 57kg | 1:42.57 | 6-2-2 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $3.30 |
| 4/6 | 08/02/2026 | 51 | MDN 4U | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | Edgard J Zayas | 56kg | 1:38.20 | 6-4-4 | 1 |
| 4.3L | $9.30 |
| 6/12 | 19/12/2025 | 295 | MDN 3U | $85,758.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | Edgard J Zayas | 56kg | 1:34.94 | 10-6-6 | 9 |
| 5.0L | $26.50 |
| 5/6 | 27/02/2025 | 68 | MDN 4U | $151,369.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 1:36.05 | 2-5-5 | 2 |
| 7.4L | $3.10 |
| 3/8 | 21/12/2024 | - | MDN 3U | $92,450.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1308m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 54kg | 1:18.60 | 8-5-3 | 6 |
| 2.0L | $14.30 |

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Resumes off a 36 day letup. First-up 4th of 11 at Fairgrounds on February 14 over 1710m, 10 len behind Awesome Gun with 54.5kg at $15.20. Last start 2nd of 8 at Fairgrounds on March 21 over 1710m, 0.5 len behind Marauder carrying 54.5kg at $6.70. Expected to go very well.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 21/03/2026 | 35 | MDN 3 | $105,337.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | 1:43.29 | 8-3-2 | 8 |
| 0.5L | $6.70 |
| 4/11 | 14/02/2026 | 77 | MDN 3 | $92,725.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | D Cannon | 54.5kg | 1:43.22 | 8-4-4 | 7 |
| 10.8L | $15.20 |
| 6/12 | 29/11/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:43.41 | 12-6-6 | 6 |
| 7.5L | $9.97 |
| 9/12 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $182,648.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:10.22 | 11-9-9 | 11 |
| 11.8L | $21.57 |

Jockey: Jaime A. Torres
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 11 at Keeneland Turf on April 11 over 1710m, 7 len behind Magical Factor with 54.5kg at $45.59. Previously second-up 3rd of 8 at Ellis Park Turf on August 4 over 1710m, 1.1 len behind So Special carrying 54kg at $22.79. Needs to lift.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | 11/04/2026 | 111 | MDN 3 | $160,116.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Jaime A Torres | 54.5kg | 1:41.47 | 8-6-4 | 8 |
| 7.5L | $45.59 |
| 6/11 | 21/12/2025 | 42 | MDN 2 | $153,139.00 | Turfway Park | 1710m | Fast | Vincent Cheminaud | 54kg | 1:44.80 | 11-8-6 | 10 |
| 8.6L | $22.53 |
| 5/12 | 09/11/2025 | 15 | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FM | Vincent Cheminaud | 54kg | 1:45.43 | 8-7-5 | 9 |
| 2.1L | $76.39 |
| 8/12 | 25/10/2025 | 58 | MDN 2 | $167,428.00 | Keeneland | 1811m | FM | Luan Machado | 54kg | 1:49.97 | 7-9-8 | 7 |
| 9.3L | $15.75 |
| 6/11 | 28/08/2025 | 24 | MDN 2 | $263,566.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | FM | Luan Machado | 54kg | 1:35.90 | 9-7-6 | 7 |
| 7.3L | $15.66 |
| 3/8 | 04/08/2025 | 29 | MDN 2 | $155,039.00 | Ellis Park | 1710m | FM | Rafael Bejarano | 54kg | 1:42.96 | 2-4-3 | 3 |
| 1.1L | $22.79 |

Jockey: Edgar Morales
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 56-day let-up. At the latest run 9th of 12 at Gulfstream Park Turf on March 1 over 1811m, 6 len behind Kravitz with 55.5kg at $27.10. The run before that 7th of 9 at Gulfstream Park on January 10 over 1710m, 34 len behind Thunderously carrying 55.5kg at $4.30. Well held last time and facing tough task today.
Last Starts 56 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 | 01/03/2026 | 50 | MDN 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | FM | Jonathan Ocasio | 55.5kg | 1:46.65 | 1-10-9 | 1 |
| 6.2L | $27.10 |
| 7/9 | 10/01/2026 | 51 | MDN 3 | $125,561.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | Jorge Ruiz | 55.5kg | 1:45.87 | 9-9-7 | 5 |
| 34.3L | $4.30 |
| 4/11 | 20/11/2025 | 53 | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | M | Gabriel Saez | 54kg | 1:37.60 | 3-7-4 | 6 |
| 6.0L | $11.07 |
| 3/9 | 28/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $183,486.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Gabriel Saez | 54kg | 1:36.29 | 5-4-3 | 5 |
| 5.0L | $36.63 |

Jockey: Victor R. Carrasco
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First-up after nine months second last of 12 at Turfway Park on March 25 over 1308m, 17 len behind Ancient History with 56.5kg at $26.41. Previously second-up second last of 7 at Del Mar on July 20 over 1609m, 14 len behind Privman carrying 54.5kg at $35.60. Unlikely to threaten.
Last Starts 32 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12 | 25/03/2026 | 248 | MDN 3U | $140,449.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | Fast | Edgar Morales | 56.5kg | 1:16.35 | 3-9-11 | 10 |
| 17.2L | $26.41 |
| 6/7 | 20/07/2025 | 35 | MDN 3U | $152,905.00 | Del Mar | 1609m | Fast | Kazushi Kimura | 54.5kg | 1:36.42 | 3-6-6 | 4 |
| 14.0L | $35.60 |
| 8/9 | 15/06/2025 | 78 | MDN 35 | $93,313.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | FM | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54kg | 1:35.34 | 8-8-8 | 3 |
| 18.1L | $27.10 |
| 7/8 | 29/03/2025 | 35 | MDN 3 | $103,011.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | FM | Kazushi Kimura | 55.5kg | 1:50.51 | 7-7-7 | 7 |
| 7.6L | $11.80 |
| 9/9 | 22/02/2025 | - | MDN 3 | $96,618.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 55.5kg | 1:09.92 | 3-9-9 | 3 |
| 17.5L | $11.90 |

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. Comes off a 36-day let-up. First-up after seven months 5th of 8 at Fairgrounds on March 21 over 1710m, 4.5 len behind Marauder carrying 54.5kg at $3. Previously second-up 4th of 8 at this track on September 14 over 1710m, 4 len behind I Did I Did carrying 54kg at $3.62. Strong winning chance.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 21/03/2026 | 188 | MDN 3 | $105,337.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 54.5kg | 1:43.29 | 3-5-5 | 4 |
| 4.3L | $3.00 |
| 4/8 | 14/09/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $183,486.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | SP | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:46.04 | 6-4-4 | 8 |
| 4.3L | $3.62 |
| 5/11 | 11/08/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $155,039.00 | Ellis Park | 1408m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:24.96 | 3-6-5 | 8 |
| 3.7L | $5.58 |

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 29 day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 9 at Oaklawn Park on March 28 over 1811m, 4.5 len behind Fleek carrying 55.5kg at $5.70. The run before that 5th of 11 at Fairgrounds on February 14 over 1710m, 10 len behind Awesome Gun carrying 54.5kg at $5.30. Sure to be about the money.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 28/03/2026 | 42 | MDN 3 | $154,494.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1811m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | 1:51.61 | 9-5-4 | 6 |
| 4.5L | $5.70 |
| 5/11 | 14/02/2026 | 28 | MDN 3 | $92,725.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Axel Concepcion | 54.5kg | 1:43.22 | 11-6-5 | 10 |
| 10.8L | $5.30 |
| 4/12 | 17/01/2026 | 71 | MDN 3 | $89,686.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Pascacio Lopez | 54.5kg | 1:45.03 | 12-7-4 | 5 |
| 4.8L | $9.40 |
| 5/11 | 07/11/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:45.21 | 9-5-5 | 10 |
| 6.8L | $7.55 |