Churchill Downs Race 9 - Alysheba S. Presented By U.s. Army Stakes
BAEZA (2) makes his 4YO season debut for the Bill Mott yard after switching stables in the break since his effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic. His form last campaign makes for strong reading, including a third in the Kentucky Derby this time last year. Can return with a bang. SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (7) held off White Abarrio two back in the Pegasus and went whack again last time out in the G3 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn. Gafflione reunites and he has enough speed to offset the sticky barrier. Can extend his winning streak. GRANDE (3) was too good in the Ghostzapper to build on his impressive record. He led from start to finish there at Gulfstream and dis so as a $1.10 favourite. Has some upside and can continue his rise through the grades. TAPPAN STREET (4) disappointed in the Pegasus but does boast a win over Sovereignty in the Florida Derby 12 months ago. Comes here fresh for Flavien Prat and can bounce back in a big way.

Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a six months break. Finished off last preparation sixth of 9 at Del Mar in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic November 1 over 2012m, 9 len behind Forever Young carrying 55.5kg at $8.10. On debut ninth of 11 at Del Mar Turf December 1 2024 over 1609m, 8 len behind Charlie's To Blame carrying 54.5kg at $7.70. His form at the end of last campaign reads very strongly for a race like this.
Last Starts 182 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/9 | 01/11/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3U | $10,687,023.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 55.5kg | 2:00.19 | 8-6-6 | 2 |
| 9.5L | $8.10 |
| 1/10 | 20/09/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,529,052.00 | Parx | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:48.03 | 9-1-1 | 8 |
| 2.3L | $2.40 |
| 2/5 | 26/07/2025 | 49 | G2 OPEN 3 | $764,526.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:49.52 | 3-2-2 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $4.10 |
| 3/8 | 07/06/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,110,420.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Good | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:00.69 | 6-4-3 | 6 |
| 6.5L | $4.50 |
| 3/19 | 03/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,812,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | SP | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:02.31 | 14-4-3 | 19 |
| 1.8L | $14.86 |
| 2/5 | 05/04/2025 | 50 | G1 OPEN 3 | $798,722.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 56kg | 1:49.56 | 5-1-2 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $15.30 |

Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming won by 0.8 len at Gulfstream Park February 14 over 1609m defeating Praetor with 55kg at $2.40. Second-up won by 0.8 len at Gulfstream Park G3 Ghostzapper Stakes March 28 over 1710m defeating Capital Idea with 54.5kg at $1.10. Too strong as a short favourite last start and he can go on with the job now.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 28/03/2026 | 42 | G3 OPEN 4U | $245,787.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 54.5kg | 1:44.26 | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $1.10 |
| 1/7 | 14/02/2026 | 315 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $124,108.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | Rajiv Maragh | 55kg | 1:36.13 | 6-2-1 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $2.40 |
| 2/10 | 05/04/2025 | 37 | G2 OPEN 3 | $1,198,083.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 56kg | 1:48.15 | 5-3-2 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $5.00 |
| 1/7 | 27/02/2025 | 47 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $154,589.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 54.5kg | 1:50.16 | 3-1-1 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $2.10 |
| 1/8 | 11/01/2025 | - | MDN 3 | $151,613.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | 1:37.89 | 5-1-1 | 1 |
| 2.5L | $10.30 |

Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up. Finished off last preparation when last of 12 at Gulfstream Park in the G1 Pegasus World Cup January 24 over 1811m, 22 len behind Skippylongstocking carrying 56kg at $4.30. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.0 len Gulfstream Park December 19 over 1609m defeating Steppe carrying 53.5kg at $1.10. Too bad to be true in the Pegasus and he's open to plenty of improvement on resumption.
Last Starts 98 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/12 | 24/01/2026 | 36 | G1 OPEN 4U | $4,484,305.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | Luis Saez | 56kg | 1:48.49 | 3-10-12 | 6 |
| 22.6L | $4.30 |
| 1/6 | 19/12/2025 | 265 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $88,821.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 53.5kg | 1:36.22 | 5-2-1 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $1.10 |
| 1/10 | 29/03/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,584,786.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:49.27 | 2-3-1 | 9 |
| 1.3L | $3.40 |
| 2/7 | 01/02/2025 | 35 | G3 OPEN 3 | $427,419.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:43.60 | 1-1-2 | 3 |
| 1.8L | $2.70 |
| 1/12 | 28/12/2024 | - | MDN 2 | $100,154.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | Fast | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:23.46 | 5-2-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $3.30 |

Jockey: Cristian A. Torres
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First-up after eight months held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at Oaklawn Park in the G3 Oaklawn Mile Stakes on March 28 over 1609m, 0.8 len behind Nu What's New with 53kg at $5.60. Previously second-up 2nd of 7 at Keeneland in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 2025 over 1811m, 0.1 len behind Burnham Square carrying 56kg at $5.98. Don't underestimate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 28/03/2026 | 237 | G3 OPEN 4U | $702,247.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Cristian Mauricio Torres | 53kg | 1:37.34 | 4-3-2 | 4 |
| 0.8L | $5.60 |
| 5/8 | 03/08/2025 | 56 | G3 OPEN 3 | $620,155.00 | Mountaineer Park | 1811m | Fast | Luis Saez | 54.5kg | 1:50.97 | 5-5-5 | 2 |
| 10.1L | $1.80 |
| 1/4 | 08/06/2025 | 36 | G3 OPEN 3 | $622,084.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Luis Saez | 56kg | 1:42.12 | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 0.5L | $2.47 |
| 8/19 | 03/05/2025 | 25 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,812,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | SP | Manuel Franco | 57kg | 2:02.31 | 6-10-8 | 10 |
| 13.3L | $42.97 |
| 2/7 | 08/04/2025 | 52 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,996,805.00 | Keeneland | 1811m | Fast | Luan Machado | 56kg | 1:51.33 | 2-1-2 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $5.98 |
| 10/12 | 15/02/2025 | 106 | G2 OPEN 3 | $805,153.00 | Fairgrounds | 1811m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 55.5kg | 1:48.85 | 2-8-10 | 3 |
| 22.7L | $1.80 |

Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Returns from a 34-day let-up. At the latest run won by 0.8 len at Oaklawn Park G3 Oaklawn Mile Stakes March 28 over 1609m defeating East Avenue with 56kg at $2.90. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Oaklawn Park in the G3 Razorback Handicap on February 28 over 1710m, 4 len behind Magnitude carrying 52kg at $3.40. Ticks plenty of boxes on his recent form and can feature in the finish 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 28/03/2026 | 28 | G3 OPEN 4U | $702,247.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Luis Saez | 56kg | 1:37.34 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 0.8L | $2.90 |
| 2/6 | 28/02/2026 | 23 | G3 OPEN 4U | $702,247.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | Fast | Rafael Bejarano | 52kg | 1:42.10 | 2-2-2 | 3 |
| 3.8L | $3.40 |
| 1/12 | 05/02/2026 | 41 | ALLOW 4U | $178,317.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | Fast | Luis Saez | 56kg | 1:43.14 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 12.5L | $1.20 |
| 1/7 | 26/12/2025 | 65 | MDN 3U | $153,139.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:35.52 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 7.5L | $2.10 |
| 3/12 | 22/10/2025 | 19 | MDN 3U | $167,428.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | Victor Espinoza | 55kg | 1:10.13 | 9-6-3 | 1 |
| 7.8L | $4.18 |
| 3/11 | 03/10/2025 | 20 | MDN 3U | $168,196.00 | Keeneland | 1408m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 55kg | 1:26.88 | 6-5-3 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $6.28 |

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 41-day let-up. At the latest run ran on from midfield and scored a big 5 len win at Oaklawn Park G3 Essex Handicap March 21 over 1811m defeating Mackman carrying 56kg at $2.10. Before that won by 1.75 len at Gulfstream Park G1 Pegasus World Cup January 24 over 1811m defeating White Abarrio with 56kg at $22.60. Can't knock his recent form and he can extend his winning streak.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 21/03/2026 | 56 | G3 OPEN 4U | $702,247.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1811m | Fast | Micah J Husbands | 56kg | 1:48.82 | 4-1-1 | 4 |
| 5.3L | $2.10 |
| 1/12 | 24/01/2026 | 35 | G1 OPEN 4U | $4,484,305.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 56kg | 1:48.49 | 8-2-1 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $22.60 |
| 1/7 | 20/12/2025 | 120 | G3 OPEN 3U | $229,709.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | Tyler Gaffalione | 57kg | 1:43.05 | 3-2-1 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $3.40 |
| 8/8 | 22/08/2025 | 20 | G2 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Charles Town | 1811m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 55kg | 1:53.26 | 3-8-8 | 4 |
| 39.3L | $3.30 |
| 7/9 | 02/08/2025 | 68 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 55.5kg | 1:48.92 | 5-5-7 | 1 |
| 12.8L | $21.60 |
| 1/7 | 26/05/2025 | 37 | G2 OPEN 3U | $312,500.00 | Santa Anita Park | 2012m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 56kg | 2:01.64 | 4-1-1 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $1.80 |

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Comes off a 41 day let-up. First-up won by 1.3 len at Fairgrounds February 19 over 1710m defeating Conquest Warrior carrying 54.5kg at $6.70. Last start 2nd in a small field at Fairgrounds in the G2 New Orleans Classic Stakes on March 21 over 1811m, 0.5 len behind Touchuponastar carrying 53.5kg at $6.20. Close-up last start but this looks a stretch.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/5 | 21/03/2026 | 30 | G2 OPEN 4U | $702,247.00 | Fairgrounds | 1811m | Fast | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:46.84 | 5-2-2 | 5 |
| 0.5L | $6.20 |
| 1/7 | 19/02/2026 | 473 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $79,886.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 54.5kg | 1:42.18 | 5-4-1 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $6.70 |
| 5/8 | 03/11/2024 | 71 | LR OPEN 3 | $228,311.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | Fast | Javier Castellano | 54.5kg | 1:50.05 | 7-6-5 | 6 |
| 8.5L | $5.00 |
| 6/8 | 24/08/2024 | 36 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,920,123.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | Javier Castellano | 57kg | 2:01.79 | 7-7-6 | 4 |
| 18.4L | $20.80 |
| 2/6 | 19/07/2024 | 62 | LR OPEN 3 | $203,008.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Javier Castellano | 56kg | 1:50.70 | 4-2-2 | 2 |
| 1.0L | $7.60 |
| 1/8 | 18/05/2024 | 36 | LR OPEN 3 | $152,905.00 | Pimlico | 1710m | M | Javier Castellano | 53.5kg | 1:44.98 | 6-3-1 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $2.60 |