Churchill Downs Race 3 - Race 3 - Allowance Optional Claiming
STAR ACTRESS (10) is coming off a last-start third, beaten 6 lengths, over 1710m at Keeneland. Well placed and should be tough to beat. BETTY'S PEARL (7) finished fourth last time out over 1710m at Gulfstream Park, beaten 7 lengths. Ticks all the right boxes. JOYFUL JUSTICE (5) is in partnership with Javier Castellano again after they combined to salute last time out over 1408m at Gulfstream Park (Dirt). Down in the weights on her last run. Should be poised just off the lead. Sure to be competitive. LEINANI (9) went forward and proved too strong last time, scoring with 8 lengths to spare over 1609m at Gulfstream Park (Dirt). Should be prominent in the run again despite the awkward gate. Not to be discounted.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming. Finished off last campaign winning by 1.75 len this track November 6 over 1710m defeating Elegant Miss carrying 54kg at $7.84. On debut fifth of 11 at this track September 11 over 1207m, 7 len behind A Fine Chardonnay with 54kg at $14.01. Others are preferred.
Last Starts 177 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 06/11/2025 | 28 | MDN F 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:45.04 | 4-3-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $7.84 |
| 2/8 | 09/10/2025 | 28 | MDN F 2 | $167,428.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:45.50 | 8-4-2 | 8 |
| 10.0L | $3.34 |
| 5/11 | 11/09/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $183,486.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:10.12 | 11-8-5 | 10 |
| 7.6L | $14.01 |

Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start came from midfield and scored a big 4 len win at Mahoning Valley April 3 over 1609m defeating Creator Of Magic with 54.5kg at $2.40. The race before that sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 7 at Turfway Park on March 4 over 1609m, 9 len behind Hollybygolly carrying 54.5kg at $7.04. This is going to test her.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 03/04/2026 | 30 | ALLOW FM 3U | $38,428.00 | Mahoning Valley | 1609m | Good | L A Batista | 54.5kg | 1:39.44 | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 3.8L | $2.40 |
| 3/7 | 04/03/2026 | 14 | ALLOW OCLM F 3 | $143,258.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 54.5kg | 1:41.45 | 2-4-3 | 3 |
| 9.5L | $7.04 |
| 1/5 | 18/02/2026 | 40 | ALLOW FM 3U | $36,947.00 | Mahoning Valley | 1609m | M | Deshawn L Parker | 52.5kg | 1:42.52 | 3-1-1 | 1 |
| 7.0L | $1.60 |
| 5/9 | 09/01/2026 | 85 | ALLOW OCLM F 3 | $152,466.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | K Desormeaux | 54.5kg | 1:38.75 | 4-5-5 | 6 |
| 9.8L | $13.88 |
| 2/6 | 16/10/2025 | 40 | ALLOW OCLM 2 | $57,839.00 | Presque Isle Downs | 1609m | Fast | W Martinez | 53kg | 1:38.83 | 4-3-2 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $5.50 |
| 1/4 | 06/09/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $21,407.00 | Belterra Park | 1609m | Fast | Yarmarie L Correa | 55.5kg | 1:40.73 | 2-1-1 | 2 |
| 11.0L | $2.30 |

Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield and scored a big 6 len win at Keeneland April 3 over 1408m defeating N Z Holly carrying 54.5kg at $3.90. Previously second-up won by a nose at Aqueduct Turf September 14 over 1710m defeating Salt Princess with 54kg at $4.06. Fitter and worth including.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 03/04/2026 | 104 | ALLOW F 3 | $91,703.00 | Keeneland | 1408m | SP | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 54.5kg | 1:24.43 | 6-1-1 | 4 |
| 6.8L | $3.90 |
| 6/7 | 20/12/2025 | 27 | LR OPEN F 2 | $153,139.00 | Fairgrounds | 1673m | Fast | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 55.5kg | 1:42.97 | 6-6-6 | 5 |
| 14.1L | $4.10 |
| 3/8 | 23/11/2025 | 23 | ALLOW F 2 | $126,718.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 54.5kg | 1:46.22 | 8-5-3 | 6 |
| 2.0L | $2.09 |
| 2/7 | 31/10/2025 | 20 | ALLOW F 2 | $126,332.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54.5kg | 1:37.71 | 2-1-2 | 6 |
| 0.5L | $3.18 |
| 3/9 | 11/10/2025 | 27 | LR OPEN F 2 | $152,207.00 | Delaware Park | 1609m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54kg | 1:39.52 | 3-3-3 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $10.70 |
| 1/8 | 14/09/2025 | 18 | MDN OCLM F 2 | $107,034.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1710m | FM | Luis R Rivera (Jnr) | 54kg | 1:45.17 | 5-1-1 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $4.06 |

Jockey: Javier Castellano
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Having third race start. At debut, 3rd of 9 at Gulfstream Park on February 8 over 1408m, 4 len behind Betty's Pearl carrying 55.5kg at $5.20. Second-up won by 3.5 len at Gulfstream Park March 15 over 1408m defeating Miss Complicated carrying 55.5kg at $3.60. Sure to go well.
Last Starts 48 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 15/03/2026 | 35 | MDN F 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | SP | Javier Castellano | 55.5kg | 1:23.52 | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 3.5L | $3.60 |
| 3/9 | 08/02/2026 | - | MDN F 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | 1:25.04 | 5-5-3 | 2 |
| 4.3L | $5.20 |

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 41-day let-up. Most recently 5th of 7 at Fairgrounds in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks on March 21 over 1710m, 15 len behind Life Of Joy with 55.5kg at $20.60. The race before that 4th of 8 at Oaklawn Park in LR on February 6 over 1710m, 1.0 len behind Search Party with 53kg at $19.70. Can do a lot better than that last run.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 21/03/2026 | 43 | G2 OPEN F 3 | $561,798.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 55.5kg | 1:42.27 | 1-4-5 | 3 |
| 15.8L | $20.60 |
| 4/8 | 06/02/2026 | 33 | LR OPEN F 3 | $427,960.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 53kg | 1:45.56 | 1-1-4 | 2 |
| 1.0L | $19.70 |
| 1/8 | 04/01/2026 | 59 | MDN F 3 | $149,477.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54.5kg | 1:39.30 | 4-2-1 | 5 |
| 0.3L | $6.80 |
| 5/8 | 06/11/2025 | 19 | MDN F 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54kg | 1:45.04 | 2-5-5 | 3 |
| 8.8L | $7.45 |
| 3/10 | 18/10/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $167,428.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | Emmanuel Esquivel | 54kg | 1:12.20 | 5-3-3 | 2 |
| 1.8L | $14.05 |

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing well recently. Comes here off a 34-day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 7 at Gulfstream Park in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on March 28 over 1710m, 7 len behind Prom Queen with 55.5kg at $21.90. The run before that won by 0.5 len at Gulfstream Park February 8 over 1408m defeating Star Actress with 55.5kg at $2.80. Leading chance again.
Last Starts 35 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 28/03/2026 | 48 | G2 OPEN F 3 | $351,124.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 55.5kg | 1:44.40 | 4-3-4 | 1 |
| 7.0L | $21.90 |
| 1/9 | 08/02/2026 | 35 | MDN F 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 55.5kg | 1:25.04 | 6-1-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $2.80 |
| 2/7 | 04/01/2026 | 22 | MDN F 3 | $125,561.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 54.5kg | 1:39.78 | 4-2-2 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $3.20 |
| 2/6 | 13/12/2025 | 30 | MDN F 2 | $107,198.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | 1:37.67 | 2-2-2 | 4 |
| 1.3L | $2.30 |
| 3/11 | 13/11/2025 | 39 | MDN F 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 54kg | 1:10.85 | 10-3-3 | 11 |
| 4.0L | $1.84 |
| 2/9 | 05/10/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $168,196.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 54kg | 1:11.54 | 6-2-2 | 7 |
| 4.8L | $3.53 |

Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 48-day let-up. Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.0 len at Fairgrounds March 14 over 1710m defeating Pure Joy with 54.5kg at $9.70. The run before that 6th of 10 at Fairgrounds Turf on February 28 over 1710m, 11 len behind Dagmara carrying 54.5kg at $23. Win doesn't look likely.
Last Starts 49 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 14/03/2026 | 14 | MDN F 3 | $75,843.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54.5kg | 1:44.77 | 3-3-1 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $9.70 |
| 6/10 | 28/02/2026 | 28 | MDN F 3 | $75,843.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:43.76 | 4-7-6 | 4 |
| 11.8L | $23.00 |
| 10/12 | 31/01/2026 | 28 | MDN F 3 | $77,033.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:45.24 | 9-11-10 | 3 |
| 12.6L | $8.00 |
| 4/9 | 03/01/2026 | 69 | MDN F 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:43.56 | 2-4-4 | 1 |
| 5.0L | $59.40 |
| 4/6 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $129,376.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Samuel Marin | 54kg | 1:10.57 | 5-5-4 | 3 |
| 10.8L | $19.39 |

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Raced two times to date. At debut, 4th of 10 at Gulfstream Park on January 24 over 1207m, 5.5 len behind Swing Vote carrying 55.5kg at $10. Last start won by 8 len at Gulfstream Park March 1 over 1609m defeating Slow Kara with 55.5kg at $2.10. Genuine contender who finds a suitable race.
Last Starts 62 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 01/03/2026 | 36 | MDN F 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 55.5kg | 1:38.45 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 8.3L | $2.10 |
| 4/10 | 24/01/2026 | - | MDN F 3 | $125,561.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1207m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 1:09.84 | 4-5-4 | 10 |
| 5.5L | $10.00 |

Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 3rd in a small field at Keeneland in the G1 Ashland Stakes on April 3 over 1710m, 6 len behind Percy's Bar with 55kg at $12.99. The run before that won by 1.0 len at Gulfstream Park March 15 over 1710m defeating Song Of Sarah with 55.5kg at $1.60. Genuine contender.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 03/04/2026 | 19 | G1 OPEN F 3 | $1,091,703.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Good | Junior Alvarado | 55kg | 1:45.72 | 6-3-3 | 6 |
| 5.8L | $12.99 |
| 1/5 | 15/03/2026 | 35 | MDN F 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Good | Junior Alvarado | 55.5kg | 1:45.25 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.0L | $1.60 |
| 2/9 | 08/02/2026 | - | MDN F 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | Fast | Junior Alvarado | 55.5kg | 1:25.04 | 8-3-2 | 1 |
| 0.5L | $8.70 |

Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 33-day let-up. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Santa Anita March 29 over 1408m defeating Saucier with 54.5kg at $4.90. The run before that 3rd in a small field at Santa Anita on February 7 over 1308m, 6 len behind Piney Woods with 55.5kg at $2.90. Others make more appeal.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 29/03/2026 | 50 | MDN FM 35 | $98,315.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1408m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 54.5kg | 1:22.63 | 3-4-1 | 4 |
| 0.5L | $4.90 |
| 3/6 | 07/02/2026 | 30 | MDN F 3 | $99,857.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 55.5kg | 1:17.99 | 4-4-3 | 4 |
| 6.3L | $2.90 |
| 2/10 | 08/01/2026 | - | MDN F 3 | $104,634.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1207m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 55.5kg | 1:11.21 | 5-5-2 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $10.30 |