Churchill Downs Race 9 - Race 9 - Allowance Optional Claiming
J J GREY (12) improved sharply on his seventh two starts back at Keeneland Turf (Turf) with a win as public elect over 1710m at Oaklawn Park (Dirt) four weeks ago, getting home by 5 lengths after being in the firing line on the turn. No reason he cannot salute again. REBEL INSTINCT (4) is fresh from a spell of seven months and did hit the frame when last resuming at Aqueduct (Dirt) over 1609m. In a different yard now. Rates highly and makes plenty of appeal. GUN RANGE (2) impressed when successful on debut over 1207m at Keeneland (Dirt) five-and-a-half weeks ago. Has upside and is well placed to feature again. PRIZE PICK (11) broke his maiden last start over 1408m at this track (Dirt), scoring by 4 lengths. Tougher assignment this time but is one of the main contenders.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Getting off the mark on debut; favourite; scored a big 7 len win at Horseshoe Indianapolis May 6 over 1207m defeating Jr Bartholomew carrying 55.5kg at $2.30. Can't dismiss winning form but will find this tougher.
Last Starts 25 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 | 06/05/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $44,693.00 | Indiana Downs | 1207m | Good | Marcelino Pedroza | 55.5kg | 1:10.62 | 5-1-1 | 5 |
| 7.5L | $2.30 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Comes off a 43 day let-up. Last start 4th of 8 at Oaklawn Park in LR on April 18 over 1811m, 4 len behind Crupper carrying 55kg at $3. The start before that won by 7 len at Oaklawn Park March 26 over 1609m defeating Highly Connected with 56kg at $2.40. Drawn well and is among the chances.
Last Starts 43 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 18/04/2026 | 23 | LR OPEN 3 | $291,121.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1811m | Fast | Ramon A Vazquez | 55kg | 1:50.89 | 6-3-4 | 2 |
| 4.0L | $3.00 |
| 1/7 | 26/03/2026 | 28 | HCP 3 | $82,865.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Ramon A Vazquez | 56kg | 1:38.96 | 5-1-1 | 3 |
| 7.0L | $2.40 |
| 1/9 | 26/02/2026 | 55 | HCP 3 | $84,165.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | Fast | Ramon A Vazquez | 55.5kg | 1:45.44 | 9-4-1 | 9 |
| 2.5L | $4.70 |
| 1/12 | 02/01/2026 | 98 | MDN CLM 3 | $58,296.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | Fast | Ramon A Vazquez | 55.5kg | 1:45.80 | 6-1-1 | 9 |
| 8.0L | $4.60 |
| 4/6 | 26/09/2025 | 26 | MDN CLM 2 | $102,446.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:47.32 | 2-3-4 | 3 |
| 12.9L | $3.17 |
| 9/12 | 31/08/2025 | 29 | MDN 2 | $263,566.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | FM | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | 1:35.23 | 8-9-9 | 12 |
| 14.8L | $12.33 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a seven months break. Finished off last campaign winning by 3 len Aqueduct November 2 over 1609m defeating Hadrian's Wall with 54kg at $1.69. On debut second of 8 at Aqueduct September 27 over 1609m, 1.0 len behind Igniter with 54kg at $13.82. Among the leading players.
Last Starts 210 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 | 02/11/2025 | 36 | MDN 2 | $129,771.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 54kg | 1:35.98 | 2-1-1 | 5 |
| 3.0L | $1.69 |
| 2/8 | 27/09/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $129,969.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 54kg | 1:35.69 | 3-3-2 | 7 |
| 1.0L | $13.82 |
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 29-day let-up. Last start 6th of 11 at this track on May 2 over 1710m, 2.5 len behind Out Of The Woods carrying 54.5kg at $5.59. The run before that won by 0.8 len at Santa Anita April 2 over 1609m defeating Silent Way with 54kg at $5.80. Has been racing well. Top prospects.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/11 | 02/05/2026 | 30 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $177,374.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 54.5kg | 1:42.12 | 4-2-6 | 4 |
| 2.6L | $5.59 |
| 1/6 | 02/04/2026 | 26 | MDN 35 | $101,892.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 54kg | 1:35.98 | 2-1-1 | 2 |
| 0.8L | $5.80 |
| 7/9 | 07/03/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $98,315.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1308m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 55.5kg | 1:15.30 | 6-7-7 | 8 |
| 12.8L | $4.00 |
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 36 day let-up. Most recently ran last in a small field at Aqueduct Turf in LR on April 25 over 1609m, 10 len behind Blackmail carrying 54.5kg at $22.46. The race before that 3rd in a small field at Aqueduct on March 29 over 1609m, 12 len behind Hedge Ratio with 55kg at $5.04. Fully tested on his recent run.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 25/04/2026 | 27 | LR OPEN 3 | $218,341.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | FM | Christopher Elliott | 54.5kg | 1:40.21 | 5-5-5 | 4 |
| 10.3L | $22.46 |
| 3/5 | 29/03/2026 | 15 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $116,573.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | 1:35.47 | 5-3-3 | 3 |
| 12.3L | $5.04 |
| 3/5 | 14/03/2026 | 31 | LR OPEN 3 | $189,607.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 54kg | 1:10.36 | 4-5-3 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $22.25 |
| 2/7 | 11/02/2026 | 82 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $118,402.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | 1:25.71 | 7-3-2 | 3 |
| 4.3L | $28.77 |
| 2/7 | 21/11/2025 | 26 | ALLOW OCLM 2 | $82,305.00 | Laurel Park | 1207m | Good | Martin Chuan | 54kg | 1:13.54 | 5-5-2 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $2.20 |
| 2/7 | 26/10/2025 | 29 | ALLOW OCLM 2 | $76,461.00 | Laurel Park | 1106m | Fast | D E Centeno | 54kg | 1:04.82 | 5-2-2 | 7 |
| 1.5L | $3.90 |
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up ran on from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Oaklawn Park on March 28 over 1207m, 0.3 len behind Two Seven O carrying 55kg at $1.70. Second-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 10 at this track on May 2 over 1308m, 8 len behind Gilded Bandit with 53.5kg at $5.71. Others preferred at this stage.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 02/05/2026 | 35 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $177,374.00 | Churchill Downs | 1308m | Fast | Florent Geroux | 53.5kg | 1:15.64 | 3-3-3 | 10 |
| 8.0L | $5.71 |
| 2/7 | 28/03/2026 | 63 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $175,562.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 55kg | 1:10.08 | 3-1-2 | 6 |
| 0.3L | $1.70 |
| 1/8 | 24/01/2026 | 28 | MDN 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:09.84 | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $4.00 |
| 3/9 | 27/12/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $84,227.00 | Fairgrounds | 1106m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:02.75 | 7-6-3 | 5 |
| 0.9L | $4.40 |
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes here off a 38-day let-up. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by a nose at Oaklawn Park April 23 over 1609m defeating Devilish Act with 55kg at $2.90. Before that 2nd in a small field at Oaklawn Park on March 28 over 1207m, 1.5 len behind Dawn At Normandy with 54kg at $3.40. Can't make much of a case.
Last Starts 38 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 | 23/04/2026 | 26 | MDN 3 | $160,116.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | Fast | Rafael Bejarano | 55kg | 1:39.59 | 4-4-1 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $2.90 |
| 2/6 | 28/03/2026 | 37 | MDN 3U | $154,494.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:10.33 | 4-2-2 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $3.40 |
| 2/8 | 19/02/2026 | 47 | MDN 3 | $156,919.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | Evin A Roman | 55kg | 1:10.57 | 4-5-2 | 5 |
| 4.5L | $7.10 |
| 2/10 | 03/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $149,477.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | Evin A Roman | 55kg | 1:11.14 | 8-5-2 | 8 |
| 4.0L | $20.60 |
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Comes here off a 50-day let-up. Most recently 4th of 9 at Keeneland in the G3 Lexington Stakes on April 11 over 1710m, 7 len behind Trendsetter carrying 56kg at $17.28. The run before that 2nd in a small field at Colonial Downs on March 12 over 1609m, 0.3 len behind Code Review carrying 54.5kg at $5.40. Better than that recent lacklustre performance suggests.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 11/04/2026 | 30 | G3 OPEN 3 | $582,242.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 56kg | 1:44.51 | 8-5-4 | 9 |
| 7.0L | $17.28 |
| 2/6 | 12/03/2026 | 54 | ALLOW OCLM 3 | $112,360.00 | Colonial Downs | 1609m | Good | Mychel J Sanchez | 54.5kg | 1:37.91 | 5-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $5.40 |
| 7/8 | 17/01/2026 | 42 | LR OPEN 3 | $186,846.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | Fast | Walter A Rodriguez | 53.5kg | 1:40.57 | 6-7-7 | 6 |
| 19.0L | $11.70 |
| 7/11 | 06/12/2025 | 41 | G2 OPEN 2 | $382,848.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | 1:50.97 | 4-6-7 | 3 |
| 13.4L | $19.33 |
| 4/7 | 26/10/2025 | 42 | G3 OPEN 2 | $304,414.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | 1:44.67 | 4-4-4 | 6 |
| 4.1L | $7.80 |
| 1/8 | 14/09/2025 | 43 | MDN 2 | $183,486.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | SP | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:46.04 | 3-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $2.04 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 29-day let-up. Most recently won by 4 len at this track May 2 over 1408m defeating Find No Fault with 53.5kg at $7.94. The start before that 5th of 12 at Keeneland Turf on April 3 over 1609m, 5.5 len behind Heading carrying 54.5kg at $4.51. No reason he cannot build on that success.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 02/05/2026 | 29 | MDN 3U | $167,598.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | 1:21.79 | 1-1-1 | 5 |
| 4.3L | $7.94 |
| 5/12 | 03/04/2026 | 40 | MDN 3 | $160,116.00 | Keeneland | 1609m | Good | Joel Rosario | 54.5kg | 1:38.54 | 4-3-5 | 1 |
| 5.4L | $4.51 |
| 3/10 | 22/02/2026 | 28 | MDN 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | FM | Joe Bravo | 55.5kg | 1:27.91 | 5-2-3 | 10 |
| 1.0L | $4.40 |
| 4/6 | 25/01/2026 | 29 | MDN 3 | $119,829.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1207m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 1:10.25 | 2-3-4 | 4 |
| 2.8L | $6.30 |
| 5/5 | 27/12/2025 | 43 | MDN 2 | $107,198.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 54.5kg | 1:38.33 | 2-3-5 | 5 |
| 11.3L | $3.10 |
| 2/12 | 14/11/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 54kg | 1:11.27 | 7-1-2 | 1 |
| 2.0L | $5.07 |