Churchill Downs Race 9 - Race 9 - Allowance Optional Claiming
JUDGE DAVIS (8) ran a better race last start to finish a close second over 1710m at Keeneland Turf after being in contention on the bend. Well placed and there is no reason he cannot find winning ways. SMOKEY MANDATE (5) showed good early speed then led into the straight last start before fighting on to finish third, beaten a neck, over 1710m at Keeneland Turf (Turf). Will go forward and is expected to be in the finish again. ASTRONOMER (10) showed good early speed and raced on the pace last start before fading to finish fourth, beaten 2.5 lengths, over 1811m at Santa Anita Turf (Turf). Will push forward and is among the chances. SILENT HEART (3) was in contention on the bend and finished third last time over 1106m at Keeneland Turf (Turf) when resuming from a spell, beaten 2.5 lengths. Placed to advantage and can run a bold race.

Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 5th of 11 at Laurel Turf in LR on April 18 over 1609m, 3.5 len behind Cruise The Nile carrying 57kg at $20.80. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at Turfway Park on March 11 over 1609m, 1.3 len behind First Strike with 56kg at $2.05. Will find this too difficult.
Last Starts 27 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 | 18/04/2026 | 38 | LR OPEN 3U | $145,560.00 | Laurel Park | 1609m | FM | V Carrasco | 57kg | 1:33.85 | 10-7-5 | 11 |
| 3.4L | $20.80 |
| 2/9 | 11/03/2026 | 25 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $148,876.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Joseph D Ramos | 56kg | 1:37.81 | 3-2-2 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $2.05 |
| 2/10 | 14/02/2026 | 36 | LR OPEN 4U | $178,317.00 | Turfway Park | 1710m | Fast | Gerardo Corrales | 54.5kg | 1:45.58 | 10-1-2 | 9 |
| 4.5L | $9.83 |
| 1/8 | 09/01/2026 | 47 | ALLOW 4U | $153,961.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Adam Beschizza | 54.5kg | 1:37.88 | 1-4-1 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $2.51 |
| 8/8 | 23/11/2025 | 246 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $204,580.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:35.87 | 2-8-8 | 4 |
| 58.9L | $12.41 |
| 10/12 | 22/03/2025 | 28 | G3 OPEN 3 | $1,231,379.00 | Turfway Park | 1811m | Fast | Abel Cedillo | 56kg | 1:50.10 | 3-10-10 | 6 |
| 14.0L | $6.86 |

Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Freshened for 56 days. First-up 3rd of 7 at Fairgrounds Turf on February 21 over 1710m, 1.75 len behind Higgins Boat carrying 54.5kg at $16.60. Second run from a spell 2nd of 7 at Fairgrounds Turf on March 20 over 1609m, 0.5 len behind West Hollywood with 54.5kg at $8.40. Hard to have.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 20/03/2026 | 27 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $81,461.00 | Fairgrounds | 1609m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:35.72 | 5-3-2 | 6 |
| 0.5L | $8.40 |
| 3/7 | 21/02/2026 | 63 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $82,739.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Axel Concepcion | 54.5kg | 1:41.69 | 5-3-3 | 6 |
| 1.8L | $16.60 |
| 7/7 | 20/12/2025 | 23 | LR OPEN 3U | $153,139.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 53.5kg | 1:41.50 | 5-7-7 | 5 |
| 8.8L | $4.20 |
| 1/11 | 27/11/2025 | 36 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $85,496.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:40.49 | 1-2-1 | 6 |
| 0.3L | $20.70 |
| 6/7 | 22/10/2025 | 32 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $197,869.00 | Keeneland | 1207m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 55kg | 1:10.54 | 3-6-6 | 2 |
| 6.3L | $3.56 |
| 3/5 | 20/09/2025 | 210 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $204,893.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Cristian Mauricio Torres | 55kg | 1:09.35 | 4-3-3 | 5 |
| 4.3L | $4.32 |

Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after 11 months held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Keeneland Turf on April 18 over 1106m, 2.5 len behind Works For Me carrying 53.5kg at $7.58. Previously second-up won by 3 len at Gulfstream Park Turf LR November 2 2024 over 1710m defeating In A Jam with 54.5kg at $5. Worth consideration.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 18/04/2026 | 322 | ALLOW 4U | $203,785.00 | Keeneland | 1106m | FM | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:03.67 | 3-1-3 | 7 |
| 2.6L | $7.58 |
| 6/7 | 31/05/2025 | 50 | G3 OPEN 4U | $429,688.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FM | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:40.69 | 1-5-6 | 5 |
| 7.1L | $7.20 |
| 7/7 | 11/04/2025 | 41 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,038,339.00 | Keeneland | 1609m | Good | Luis Saez | 56kg | 1:36.56 | 6-6-7 | 6 |
| 12.9L | $13.33 |
| 3/7 | 01/03/2025 | 29 | G3 OPEN 4U | $264,848.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | FM | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:39.31 | 1-2-3 | 4 |
| 0.3L | $2.10 |
| 1/7 | 31/01/2025 | 48 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $158,065.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | Luis Saez | 54.5kg | 1:31.92 | 1-2-1 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $2.30 |
| 3/11 | 14/12/2024 | 42 | LR OPEN 3 | $215,716.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | FM | Edgar Perez | 56kg | 1:39.32 | 5-1-3 | 8 |
| 0.5L | $2.10 |

Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Freshened for 37 days. First-up 5th of 8 at Turfway Park on February 27 over 1609m, 7 len behind Tapit Shoes with 56kg at $15.84. Second-up 4th of 7 at Keeneland Turf on April 8 over 1710m, 5 len behind Dresden Row carrying 53.5kg at $9.13. Can't recommend.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 08/04/2026 | 40 | ALLOW 4U | $218,341.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | J R Leparoux | 53.5kg | 1:42.17 | 5-6-4 | 1 |
| 5.3L | $9.13 |
| 5/8 | 27/02/2026 | 502 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $151,213.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Gabriel Saez | 56kg | 1:38.89 | 4-6-5 | 3 |
| 7.3L | $15.84 |
| 1/5 | 13/10/2024 | 23 | G3 OPEN 3U | $252,890.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | FM | Dylan Davis | 55kg | 1:46.15 | 1-4-1 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $6.80 |
| 2/6 | 20/09/2024 | 30 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $147,059.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1710m | FM | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 1:43.97 | 4-3-2 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $4.55 |
| 3/5 | 21/08/2024 | 32 | LR OPEN 4U | $207,373.00 | Saratoga | 2615m | Good | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 2:48.30 | 3-3-3 | 2 |
| 11.3L | $2.25 |
| 6/8 | 20/07/2024 | 441 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $180,451.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | FM | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | 1:46.87 | 6-6-6 | 7 |
| 3.1L | $9.90 |

Jockey: Jaime A. Torres
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 29-day let-up. Most recently set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 8 at Keeneland Turf on April 16 over 1710m, neck behind Flying Mohawk carrying 53.5kg at $3.07. Before that 7th of 9 at Turfway Park on March 11 over 1609m, 11 len behind First Strike carrying 56kg at $13.29. Rates highly after a strong run last time.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 16/04/2026 | 36 | ALLOW 4U | $203,785.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | J J Hernandez | 53.5kg | 1:41.60 | 1-1-3 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $3.07 |
| 7/9 | 11/03/2026 | 25 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $148,876.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Fernando De La Cruz | 56kg | 1:37.81 | 5-6-7 | 8 |
| 11.6L | $13.29 |
| 5/10 | 14/02/2026 | 50 | LR OPEN 4U | $178,317.00 | Turfway Park | 1710m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 54.5kg | 1:45.58 | 9-6-5 | 10 |
| 14.3L | $16.86 |
| 3/7 | 26/12/2025 | 47 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $162,328.00 | Turfway Park | 1710m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 56kg | 1:44.41 | 5-3-3 | 7 |
| 1.0L | $4.22 |
| 5/6 | 09/11/2025 | 215 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $215,267.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | Luis Saez | 55kg | 1:34.32 | 2-2-5 | 2 |
| 4.0L | $4.25 |
| 2/12 | 08/04/2025 | 17 | ALLOW 4U | $223,642.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Good | Manuel Franco | 54.5kg | 1:43.01 | 8-2-2 | 11 |
| 0.5L | $16.94 |

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after five months won by 1.75 len at Horseshoe Indianapolis May 1 over 1207m defeating Ship Ship Hooray with 55.5kg at $6.10. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len at Gulfstream Park December 20 2024 over 1609m defeating Positive Review with 54.5kg at $3.20. Should progress from that first-up run.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 01/05/2026 | 152 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $50,279.00 | Indiana Downs | 1207m | Fast | Fernando De La Cruz | 55.5kg | 1:10.08 | 4-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.8L | $6.10 |
| 10/11 | 30/11/2025 | 31 | LR OPEN 3U | $381,679.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 55kg | 1:34.41 | 10-11-10 | 7 |
| 14.0L | $110.60 |
| 1/7 | 30/10/2025 | 15 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $203,957.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | SP | Mario Gutierrez | 55.5kg | 1:39.06 | 7-5-1 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $11.50 |
| 4/8 | 15/10/2025 | 20 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $54,795.00 | Indiana Downs | 1006m | FM | Fernando De La Cruz | 55.5kg | 0:55.70 | 7-6-4 | 5 |
| 4.5L | $16.00 |
| 4/5 | 25/09/2025 | 28 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $55,046.00 | Indiana Downs | 1609m | SP | Fernando De La Cruz | 55.5kg | 1:37.41 | 4-4-4 | 3 |
| 6.8L | $6.30 |
| 5/7 | 28/08/2025 | 38 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $55,814.00 | Indiana Downs | 1710m | Fast | Joseph D Ramos | 55.5kg | 1:43.42 | 5-5-5 | 4 |
| 13.9L | $6.40 |

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 57 day let-up. At the latest run 2nd of 7 at Fairgrounds on March 19 over 1710m, 0.8 len behind Money Game with 54.5kg at $3.60. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at Fairgrounds on February 19 over 1710m, 4 len behind Corporate Power with 54.5kg at $5.60. Might just find this lot a bit smart.
Last Starts 57 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 | 19/03/2026 | 28 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $78,652.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54.5kg | 1:42.35 | 1-2-2 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $3.60 |
| 3/7 | 19/02/2026 | 33 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $79,886.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54.5kg | 1:42.18 | 3-2-3 | 7 |
| 4.3L | $5.60 |
| 8/8 | 17/01/2026 | 140 | G3 OPEN 4U | $261,584.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Ben Curtis | 53.5kg | 1:43.43 | 2-8-8 | 6 |
| 28.9L | $39.20 |
| 7/7 | 30/08/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Edwin Maldonado | 56kg | 2:01.00 | 1-7-7 | 7 |
| 67.8L | $73.40 |
| 3/6 | 26/07/2025 | 61 | G2 OPEN 3U | $458,716.00 | Del Mar | 1710m | Fast | Edwin Maldonado | 53.5kg | 1:42.61 | 1-3-3 | 5 |
| 6.0L | $58.70 |
| 4/7 | 26/05/2025 | 37 | G2 OPEN 3U | $312,500.00 | Santa Anita Park | 2012m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 2:01.64 | 3-6-4 | 1 |
| 9.0L | $14.70 |

Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming settled back and ran on when 4th of 8 at Turfway Park on February 27 over 1609m, 7 len behind Tapit Shoes carrying 56kg at $6.35. Second run from a spell 2nd of 8 at Keeneland Turf on April 16 over 1710m, 1.0 len behind Just A Touch with 53.5kg at $6.55. Strong winning hope.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 16/04/2026 | 48 | ALLOW 4U | $203,785.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Flavien Prat | 53.5kg | 1:41.62 | 5-1-2 | 7 |
| 1.0L | $6.55 |
| 4/8 | 27/02/2026 | 63 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $151,213.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 56kg | 1:38.89 | 8-4-4 | 5 |
| 7.1L | $6.35 |
| 2/7 | 26/12/2025 | 47 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $90,352.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | I Ortiz Jr | 56kg | 1:31.81 | 3-3-2 | 2 |
| 5.3L | $2.70 |
| 2/6 | 09/11/2025 | 43 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $215,267.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | I Ortiz Jr | 55kg | 1:34.32 | 4-1-2 | 6 |
| 0.5L | $4.79 |
| 1/11 | 27/09/2025 | 84 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $137,615.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 55.5kg | 1:35.90 | 1-3-1 | 5 |
| 0.5L | $13.23 |
| 4/9 | 05/07/2025 | 253 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $175,841.00 | Saratoga | 1106m | FM | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | 1:01.03 | 7-5-4 | 4 |
| 1.6L | $9.40 |

Jockey: Edgar Morales
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 37-day let-up. Last start 5th of 7 at Keeneland Turf on April 8 over 1710m, 6 len behind Dresden Row with 54.5kg at $17.73. The start before that ran last of 7 at Fairgrounds Turf in the G2 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap on March 21 over 1811m, 6 len behind Lagynos with 55.5kg at $25.70. Needs plenty of luck.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 08/04/2026 | 18 | ALLOW 4U | $218,341.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 54.5kg | 1:42.17 | 6-5-5 | 4 |
| 6.3L | $17.73 |
| 7/7 | 21/03/2026 | 35 | G2 OPEN 4U | $421,348.00 | Fairgrounds | 1811m | FM | Marcelino Pedroza | 55.5kg | 1:48.17 | 1-5-7 | 3 |
| 6.0L | $25.70 |
| 9/10 | 14/02/2026 | 28 | G3 OPEN 4U | $249,643.00 | Fairgrounds | 1811m | FM | Marcelino Pedroza | 55.5kg | 1:48.02 | 6-4-9 | 8 |
| 6.4L | $16.30 |
| 7/11 | 17/01/2026 | 28 | LR OPEN 4U | $149,477.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Marcelino Pedroza | 56kg | 1:42.37 | 4-5-7 | 3 |
| 6.0L | $15.90 |
| 1/7 | 20/12/2025 | 41 | LR OPEN 3U | $153,139.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Marcelino Pedroza | 56kg | 1:41.50 | 2-1-1 | 6 |
| 0.8L | $18.60 |
| 6/6 | 09/11/2025 | 176 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $215,267.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | Tyler W Bacon | 55kg | 1:34.32 | 6-6-6 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $9.40 |

Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 42 day let-up. At the latest run 4th in a small field at Santa Anita Turf on April 3 over 1811m, 2.5 len behind Gran Oriente with 56kg at $9.60. The run before that second last of 8 at Santa Anita Turf in the G2 Frank E Kilroe Mile Handicap on March 7 over 1609m, 5.5 len behind Final Boss with 54.5kg at $12.60. Doesn't need to improve that much.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 03/04/2026 | 27 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $103,348.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | FM | Hector Isaac Berrios | 56kg | 1:47.12 | 2-2-4 | 6 |
| 2.6L | $9.60 |
| 7/8 | 07/03/2026 | 42 | G2 OPEN 4U | $280,899.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | FM | Florent Geroux | 54.5kg | 1:32.94 | 5-8-7 | 8 |
| 5.3L | $12.60 |
| 4/12 | 24/01/2026 | 27 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,494,768.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 56kg | 1:47.04 | 3-3-4 | 11 |
| 1.4L | $41.20 |
| 2/11 | 28/12/2025 | 29 | G3 OPEN 3U | $153,139.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Good | Jose Ortiz | 56kg | 1:47.34 | 2-2-2 | 8 |
| 1.3L | $6.20 |
| 2/8 | 29/11/2025 | 90 | G2 OPEN 3U | $305,344.00 | Del Mar | 1710m | FM | Antonio Fresu | 54kg | 1:41.71 | 2-4-2 | 5 |
| 0.5L | $11.60 |
| 4/12 | 31/08/2025 | 22 | ALLOW 3U | $775,194.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | FM | Lanfranco Dettori | 54kg | 1:32.20 | 1-4-4 | 3 |
| 5.0L | $7.85 |