The $150,000 Jeff Hall Memorial Stakes returns to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson, Kentucky, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, as Race 8 on the card. Scheduled for 6½ furlongs on dirt, this sprint stakes for 3-year-olds and up has drawn a deep field of 11 contenders, including multiple graded stakes winners, local legends, and rising stars. Post time is 3:12 PM CT.
Top Contenders & Horse Profiles
| Horse Name | Pedigree | Trainer | Jockey | Morning Line Odds |
| Banishing | Ghostzapper – Dowager (A.P. Indy) | David Jacobson | Tyler Gaffalione | 2-1 Favorite |
| Booth | Mitole – Sophia’s Song (Bellamy Road) | Steve Asmussen | Erik Asmussen | 3-1 |
| Nash | Medaglia d’Oro – Sara Louise (Malibu Moon) | Brad Cox | Luan Machado | 7-2 |
| Durante | Distorted Humor – Seahawk Girl (Pioneerof the Nile) | David Jacobson | Jaime Torres | 5-1 |
| Champlin | Ransom the Moon – Now I Know (Pure Prize) | Greg Foley | Mitchell Murrill | 8-1 |
Pedigree Insights & Dirt Sprint Potential
Banishing, by Ghostzapper, brings elite speed and stamina. His dam Dowager is from the A.P. Indy line, known for durability and class. Booth, sired by Mitole, inherits blazing sprint speed and has already captured multiple Grade 3 wins. Nash, a Godolphin homebred, combines Medaglia d’Oro’s tactical brilliance with Malibu Moon’s late kick. Durante, by Distorted Humor, shocked bettors with a 33-1 win in the Aristides Stakes (G3) and remains dangerous. Champlin, by Ransom the Moon, is bred for mid-distance dirt sprints and has shown consistency in allowance company.
Jockey & Trainer Matchups to Watch
Tyler Gaffalione (Banishing) is one of the top riders in Kentucky and excels in aggressive pace setups. Erik Asmussen (Booth) rides for his Hall of Fame father Steve Asmussen, forming a potent family duo. Luan Machado (Nash) teams up with Brad Cox, a perennial stakes-winning trainer with a sharp eye for sprinters. Jaime Torres (Durante) guided the gelding to his upset win in the Aristides and returns for another stakes try. Mitchell Murrill (Champlin) is known for patient rides and could benefit from a hot early pace.
Recent Form & Speed Figures
| Horse Name | Last Race Result | Speed Rating | Surface |
| Banishing | 2nd in Hanshin Stakes (Listed) | 112 | Dirt |
| Booth | 4th in Kelly’s Landing Stakes (G3) | 111 | Dirt |
| Nash | 1st in Churchill Downs Allowance | 111 | Dirt |
| Durante | 3rd in Kelly’s Landing Stakes (G3) | 103 | Dirt |
| Champlin | 5th in Churchill Downs Stakes | 108 | Dirt |
Predicted Finish & Strategy
Winner: Banishing – tactical speed, top speed figure, strong connections
Place: Booth – proven class, bounce-back potential
Show: Nash – sharp recent win, pedigree edge
