Churchill Downs Race 9 - Race 9 - Allowance Optional Claiming
ZAKINTHOS (9) led throughout last start to score an effortless 4 lengths win over 1509m at Gulfstream Park Turf (Turf). One of the top chances again. MENDELS MATE (8) went forward last start over 1710m at Keeneland Turf (Turf) and held on well for second, beaten 0.3 lengths. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot salute. TIME FOR AMERICA (1) ran fifth at his latest appearance over 1710m at Keeneland Turf, clocking in 3.5 lengths from the winner. Capable of playing a big role. EXONERATE (3) has not raced since he finished fifth over 1710m at Keeneland Turf on October 5. One of the better chances.
Jockey: Joseph Rocco, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start today. At debut, settled well back; won by 0.8 len at Laurel February 27 over 1106m defeating Ballinaclash with 56kg at $8.80. Second-up 5th of 11 at Keeneland Turf in the G3 Transylvania Stakes on April 3 over 1710m, 3.5 len behind Remember Mamba with 53.5kg at $56.66. Big 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | 03/04/2026 | 35 | G3 OPEN 3 | $873,362.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Good | J S Jr Rocco | 53.5kg | 1:44.49 | 11-11-5 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $56.66 |
| 1/7 | 27/02/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $67,760.00 | Laurel Park | 1106m | Fast | J S Jr Rocco | 56kg | 1:05.30 | 6-6-1 | 3 |
| 0.8L | $8.80 |
Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing first-up today. Finished off last preparation second last of 7 at Fairgrounds Turf in the LR February 28 over 1710m, 12 len behind Black Hornet carrying 55.5kg at $9.80. On debut second of 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis Turf July 3 over 1509m, 2 len behind Jutland carrying 54.5kg at $3.40. Best form gives him a decent chance.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | 28/02/2026 | 37 | LR OPEN 3 | $140,449.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 55.5kg | 1:44.03 | 3-5-6 | 7 |
| 12.3L | $9.80 |
| 2/7 | 22/01/2026 | 19 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $82,212.00 | Fairgrounds | 1609m | FM | Jim Graham | 54kg | 1:36.97 | 1-2-2 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $8.40 |
| 6/9 | 03/01/2026 | 38 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $82,212.00 | Fairgrounds | 1106m | FM | Ben Curtis | 54kg | 1:03.17 | 4-6-6 | 8 |
| 6.5L | $5.10 |
| 5/7 | 26/11/2025 | 52 | LR OPEN 2 | $152,672.00 | Delta Downs | 1509m | Fast | Jim Graham | 55.5kg | 1:32.83 | 6-6-5 | 7 |
| 8.5L | $10.50 |
| 12/12 | 05/10/2025 | 29 | G2 OPEN 2 | $611,621.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Francisco Arrieta | 54.5kg | 1:42.51 | 7-4-12 | 11 |
| 7.1L | $20.46 |
| 1/6 | 06/09/2025 | 43 | LR OPEN 2 | $191,131.00 | Colonial Downs | 1710m | FM | Francisco Arrieta | 54.5kg | 1:43.25 | 2-1-1 | 1 |
| 2.8L | $3.50 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a seven months break. Finished off last campaign fifth of 12 at Keeneland Turf in the G2 Bourbon Stakes October 5 over 1710m, 3 len behind Final Score carrying 53.5kg at $5.48. On debut fourth of 11 at Churchill Downs June 29 over 1207m, 11 len behind Dazzle D'oro carrying 54kg at $4.73. Should be right in the finish.
Last Starts 216 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | 05/10/2025 | 29 | G2 OPEN 2 | $611,621.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Flavien Prat | 53.5kg | 1:42.51 | 3-10-5 | 4 |
| 3.1L | $5.48 |
| 1/12 | 06/09/2025 | 35 | MDN 2 | $259,939.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | Good | Flavien Prat | 54kg | 1:35.23 | 9-2-1 | 11 |
| 1.3L | $3.32 |
| 10/12 | 02/08/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $155,039.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | Fast | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:37.12 | 6-10-10 | 9 |
| 31.9L | $9.00 |
| 4/11 | 29/06/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $186,625.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:08.65 | 6-7-4 | 2 |
| 11.0L | $4.73 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a seven months break. Finished off last preparation ninth of 12 at Keeneland Turf in the G2 Bourbon Stakes October 5 over 1710m, 5 len behind Final Score carrying 53.5kg at $6.75. On debut to post a big 5 len win. Kentucky September 7 over 1308m defeating Archimedes with 54kg at $6.65. This looks a stern test.
Last Starts 216 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 | 05/10/2025 | 28 | G2 OPEN 2 | $611,621.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Florent Geroux | 53.5kg | 1:42.51 | 12-12-9 | 10 |
| 5.1L | $6.75 |
| 1/11 | 07/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $259,939.00 | Kentucky | 1308m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:14.64 | 9-1-1 | 5 |
| 5.0L | $6.65 |
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Having third race start. When well in the market at debut, 3rd of 10 at Gulfstream Park Turf on January 25 over 1509m, 0.5 len behind Vasy carrying 55.5kg at $5. Second-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a 0.3 len at Gulfstream Park Turf March 8 over 1609m defeating Comprehensive with 55.5kg at $3.10. Has the ability to be in the finish.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 08/03/2026 | 42 | MDN 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | 1:33.92 | 3-3-1 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $3.10 |
| 3/10 | 25/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | Good | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:29.45 | 9-5-3 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $5.00 |
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 48 day let-up. Most recently won by a 0.3 len at Fairgrounds Turf March 21 over 1710m defeating Swerve carrying 54.5kg at $21.70. The race before that 8th of 11 at Fairgrounds on February 14 over 1710m, 27 len behind Awesome Gun with 54.5kg at $17.10. Prefer to watch at this stage.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 21/03/2026 | 35 | MDN 3 | $105,337.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jareth Loveberry | 54.5kg | 1:43.42 | 1-1-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $21.70 |
| 8/11 | 14/02/2026 | 28 | MDN 3 | $92,725.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Jareth Loveberry | 54.5kg | 1:43.22 | 4-8-8 | 5 |
| 27.8L | $17.10 |
| 6/11 | 17/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $89,686.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | Hunter Rea | 52kg | 1:09.47 | 5-3-6 | 7 |
| 10.6L | $24.20 |
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 12 at Keeneland Turf on April 10 over 1710m, 0.3 len behind Touch Of Fire with 53.5kg at $16.36. The run before that held ground to the line 2nd of 9 at Turfway Park on March 5 over 1609m, nose behind Candy King carrying 55.5kg at $12.46. Well placed to take this out.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 10/04/2026 | 36 | ALLOW 3 | $174,672.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 53.5kg | 1:43.20 | 4-1-2 | 7 |
| 0.3L | $16.36 |
| 2/9 | 05/03/2026 | 19 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $143,258.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:38.75 | 3-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $12.46 |
| 1/12 | 14/02/2026 | 50 | MDN 3 | $142,653.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 54.5kg | 1:40.95 | 5-1-1 | 10 |
| 1.0L | $11.89 |
| 10/11 | 26/12/2025 | 26 | MDN 2 | $153,139.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | Fast | Adam Beschizza | 54kg | 1:18.08 | 5-8-10 | 6 |
| 20.4L | $3.89 |
| 4/12 | 30/11/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 0:57.67 | 5-6-4 | 2 |
| 2.8L | $8.59 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. Not raced for 47 days. First-up 5th of 10 at Gulfstream Park Turf on February 22 over 1509m, 2.25 len behind Sheriff Bart with 55.5kg at $3. Second-up won by 4 len at Gulfstream Park Turf March 22 over 1509m defeating Powell River with 55.5kg at $2.30. Expected to perform 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 22/03/2026 | 28 | MDN 3 | $117,978.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | Good | I Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | 1:29.71 | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 4.3L | $2.30 |
| 5/10 | 22/02/2026 | 231 | MDN 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | FM | I Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | 1:27.91 | 2-5-5 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $3.00 |
| 3/8 | 06/07/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $152,905.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FM | Cristian Mauricio Torres | 54kg | 1:35.87 | 5-3-3 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $2.70 |
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 7 at Oaklawn Park on March 5 over 1207m, 13 len behind Stradale with 52.5kg at $4.80. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 12 at Keeneland Turf on April 10 over 1710m, 2.25 len behind Touch Of Fire with 53.5kg at $34.45. Prepared to risk on current form.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 10/04/2026 | 36 | ALLOW 3 | $174,672.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | 1:43.20 | 2-2-4 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $34.45 |
| 5/7 | 05/03/2026 | 124 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $175,562.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 52.5kg | 1:09.94 | 3-4-5 | 2 |
| 13.3L | $4.80 |
| 2/5 | 01/11/2025 | 27 | ALLOW OCLM 2 | $193,893.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Sophie Doyle | 55.5kg | 1:11.76 | 3-3-2 | 1 |
| 1.5L | $16.71 |
| 8/8 | 05/10/2025 | 35 | LR OPEN 2 | $458,716.00 | Keeneland | 1106m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 53.5kg | 1:02.28 | 2-6-8 | 7 |
| 6.6L | $33.32 |
| 9/10 | 31/08/2025 | 21 | LR OPEN 2 | $1,550,388.00 | Kentucky | 1308m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | 1:14.83 | 4-8-9 | 1 |
| 12.6L | $12.27 |
| 1/10 | 10/08/2025 | 28 | MDN 2 | $155,039.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | 1:00.80 | 2-1-1 | 1 |
| 3.3L | $2.72 |
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Had two starts to date. At debut, 4th of 12 at Gulfstream Park Turf on February 8 over 1609m, 1.3 len behind Beautiful War with 55.5kg at $20.90. Second-up came from midfield and won by 3.5 len at Keeneland Turf April 11 over 1710m defeating Heeere's Johnny with 54.5kg at $2.86. Well-placed and should prove hard to beat.
Last Starts 28 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 | 11/04/2026 | 62 | MDN 3 | $160,116.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | 1:41.99 | 4-1-1 | 5 |
| 3.5L | $2.86 |
| 4/12 | 08/02/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 1:34.24 | 7-9-4 | 8 |
| 1.3L | $20.90 |