Churchill Downs Race 8 - Race 8 - Mdn Claiming
CASTLE RUN (2) finished third last time out over 1207m at this track (Dirt), making it three career minor placings. Has a sound record here with two top-three finishes from three starts. Nicely placed and expected to go very well. D BIGALOW (5) showed good early dash last start and held on well to finish one length back in second over 1106m at this track (Dirt). Placed to advantage and can take this out. CAPTAIN MERCURY (10) finished out of the money on debut two starts back then was beaten 9 lengths when seventh in a 1609m contest at Churchill Downs Turf three-and-a-half weeks ago. Perfectly placed and is sure to prove tough to beat. TAPCON (1) is a two-start maiden who resumed from a spell last start and was beaten 3.5 lengths when fourth over 1207m at Lone Star Park (Dirt). Definite top-three hope with plenty of improvement to come.

Jockey: Keith J. Asmussen
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First start 7th of 10 at Fairgrounds on December 20 over 1207m, 11 len behind Golden Tempo carrying 54.5kg at $26.70. Went for a spell before returning got back early 4th in a small field at Lone Star Park on May 16 over 1207m, 3.5 len behind Mellencamp with 53.5kg at $7.40. One of the top chances.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 16/05/2026 | 147 | MDN 3U | $46,089.00 | Lone Star Park | 1207m | Fast | S Elliott | 53.5kg | 1:11.54 | 6-5-4 | 4 |
| 3.6L | $7.40 |
| 7/10 | 20/12/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $84,227.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:10.66 | 7-6-7 | 9 |
| 11.0L | $26.70 |

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 52 day let-up. Last start 3rd of 10 at this track on April 30 over 1207m, 5.5 len behind Five Wishes carrying 56.5kg at $6.73. The run before that ran second last in a small field at Fairgrounds Turf on March 1 over 1106m, 6 len behind Unitas with 56.5kg at $3.20. Strong chance from a low draw.
Last Starts 52 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 | 30/04/2026 | 60 | MDN CLM 3U | $93,575.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 56.5kg | 1:10.13 | 10-4-3 | 9 |
| 5.5L | $6.73 |
| 5/6 | 01/03/2026 | 30 | MDN 3U | $75,843.00 | Fairgrounds | 1106m | FM | Axel Concepcion | 56.5kg | 1:03.56 | 2-4-5 | 2 |
| 6.5L | $3.20 |
| 3/9 | 30/01/2026 | 266 | MDN 3U | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1106m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 56.5kg | 1:03.68 | 6-2-3 | 8 |
| 1.1L | $1.90 |
| 4/10 | 09/05/2025 | 174 | MDN 3U | $187,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FM | Jose Ortiz | 53.5kg | 0:56.10 | 6-5-4 | 3 |
| 2.0L | $2.10 |
| 8/12 | 16/11/2024 | 49 | MDN 2 | $182,648.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:09.90 | 10-6-8 | 1 |
| 15.1L | $6.37 |
| 3/8 | 28/09/2024 | - | MDN 2 | $176,471.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | SP | Jose Ortiz | 54kg | 1:12.21 | 3-2-3 | 1 |
| 2.4L | $3.67 |

Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Silver State out of Midnightrendezvous. Betting can tell the tale.

Jockey: Luan Machado
Weight: 54kgs
Stats
Comments
Having second run back today. Last run ran last in a small field at this track on May 25 over 1207m, 11 len behind Join with 54kg at $7.33. At only start last preparation 4th of 7 at Turfway Park on March 20 over 1207m, 3.5 len behind Love In Lights with 54.5kg at $5. Needs more time.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 25/05/2026 | 66 | MDN CLM 3U | $93,575.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Summer Pauly | 54kg | 1:10.69 | 2-5-5 | 1 |
| 11.8L | $7.33 |
| 4/7 | 20/03/2026 | 231 | MDN CLM 3U | $52,247.00 | Turfway Park | 1207m | Fast | Summer Pauly | 54.5kg | 1:11.70 | 1-4-4 | 5 |
| 3.5L | $5.00 |
| 6/9 | 01/08/2025 | 42 | MDN CLM 3U | $62,016.00 | Ellis Park | 1308m | Fast | Rafael Bejarano | 54kg | 1:18.39 | 1-5-6 | 9 |
| 5.2L | $20.81 |
| 4/9 | 20/06/2025 | 127 | MDN CLM 3U | $96,423.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 53.5kg | 1:22.53 | 1-2-4 | 2 |
| 8.0L | $7.93 |
| 4/9 | 13/02/2025 | 104 | MDN 3 | $83,736.00 | Fairgrounds | 1106m | FM | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 54.5kg | 1:06.90 | 4-3-4 | 2 |
| 4.3L | $6.50 |
| 8/9 | 01/11/2024 | - | MDN 2 | $182,648.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Erik Asmussen | 53.5kg | 1:23.88 | 5-7-8 | 3 |
| 15.1L | $16.08 |

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 4th of 7 at Oaklawn Park on April 24 over 1207m, 9 len behind Super Happy with 56kg at $2.40. Second-up held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at this track on June 4 over 1106m, 1.0 len behind Mouqeer carrying 56kg at $2.45. Racing well. Top prospects.
Last Starts 17 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 | 04/06/2026 | 41 | MDN CLM 3U | $79,498.00 | Churchill Downs | 1106m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 56kg | 1:05.48 | 2-2-2 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $2.45 |
| 4/7 | 24/04/2026 | 149 | MDN 3U | $160,116.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | SP | Francisco Arrieta | 56kg | 1:10.50 | 5-4-4 | 6 |
| 9.0L | $2.40 |
| 7/11 | 26/11/2025 | 19 | MDN CLM 3U | $105,344.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:11.01 | 6-2-7 | 6 |
| 5.6L | $6.81 |
| 6/8 | 07/11/2025 | 41 | MDN 3U | $140,458.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | 1:24.03 | 3-5-6 | 8 |
| 19.5L | $2.95 |
| 2/6 | 27/09/2025 | 231 | MDN 3U | $140,673.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Luis Saez | 55kg | 1:10.53 | 2-1-2 | 3 |
| 3.0L | $2.93 |
| 6/8 | 08/02/2025 | 21 | MDN 3 | $128,824.00 | Turfway Park | 1207m | Fast | Gavin Ashton | 54.5kg | 1:13.29 | 2-2-6 | 5 |
| 5.1L | $5.07 |

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 44-day let-up. Most recently 5th of 9 at this track on May 8 over 1207m, 9 len behind Chairmanoftheboard with 53.5kg at $15.51. The start before that ran second last in a small field at Keeneland on April 23 over 1408m, 6 len behind Kokomo Joe carrying 54.5kg at $5.20. Cannot be ruled out despite a lacklustre effort last time.
Last Starts 44 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 08/05/2026 | 15 | MDN 3U | $128,492.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Rafael Bejarano | 53.5kg | 1:10.07 | 5-5-5 | 2 |
| 9.5L | $15.51 |
| 4/5 | 23/04/2026 | 34 | MDN 3 | $123,726.00 | Keeneland | 1408m | Fast | Gabriel Saez | 54.5kg | 1:26.17 | 2-3-4 | 2 |
| 6.8L | $5.20 |
| 4/6 | 20/03/2026 | 23 | MDN CLM 3 | $52,247.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | Fast | Luan Machado | 54.5kg | 1:19.10 | 2-3-4 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $2.89 |
| 2/11 | 25/02/2026 | 19 | MDN CLM 3 | $53,067.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | Fast | Luan Machado | 54.5kg | 1:20.28 | 4-2-2 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $7.20 |
| 3/12 | 06/02/2026 | 145 | MDN CLM 3 | $53,067.00 | Turfway Park | 1207m | Fast | Xarel Forde | 52kg | 1:13.24 | 4-2-3 | 5 |
| 1.1L | $6.51 |
| 4/5 | 14/09/2025 | - | MDN CLM 2 | $45,872.00 | Los Alamitos | 1106m | Fast | Ana A S Carmona | 55.5kg | 1:03.66 | 5-3-4 | 4 |
| 7.4L | $17.00 |

Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Jumped at long odds at debut, ran second last of 7 at this track on June 4 over 1106m, 12 len behind Mouqeer with 53.5kg at $47.36. Cannot enthuse after the moderate debut effort.
Last Starts 17 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 | 04/06/2026 | - | MDN CLM 3U | $79,498.00 | Churchill Downs | 1106m | Fast | Adam Beschizza | 53.5kg | 1:05.48 | 7-6-6 | 7 |
| 12.0L | $47.36 |

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Maxfield out of Hot Blooded Girl. Betting the best guide.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Lining up for just third start. At debut, 6th of 9 at this track on May 8 over 1207m, 10 len behind Chairmanoftheboard with 53.5kg at $6.42. Last start sat behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 11 at Churchill Downs Turf on May 28 over 1609m, 9 len behind Intuitive Wisdom carrying 53.5kg at $7.72. Key chance expected to feature.
Last Starts 24 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/11 | 28/05/2026 | 20 | MDN CLM 3U | $93,575.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | Luis Saez | 53.5kg | 1:35.12 | 4-4-7 | 1 |
| 9.1L | $7.72 |
| 6/9 | 08/05/2026 | - | MDN 3U | $128,492.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | Fast | Mario Gutierrez | 53.5kg | 1:10.07 | 7-6-6 | 8 |
| 10.5L | $6.42 |

Jockey: Edgar Morales
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Was at big odds at debut, ran last of 9 at this track on June 6 over 1609m, 44 len behind Magicstrikesagain carrying 53.5kg at $37.70. Didn't quite do enough on debut to raise the hopes.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/9 | 06/06/2026 | - | MDN CLM 3U | $93,445.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | Fast | Edgar Morales | 53.5kg | 1:36.56 | 7-9-9 | 5 |
| 44.8L | $37.70 |