Race Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Race Name | Avery Whisman Memorial Stakes |
| Track | Presque Isle Downs (USA) |
| Race Time | 23:12 EDT |
| Distance | 1 mile 70 yards |
| Surface | All-Weather (Tapeta) |
| Purse | $100,000 |
| Age Restriction | 3-year-olds & up |
| Conditions | Stakes race |
Field Summary (9 Runners)
| No. | Horse | Age | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happyisashappydoes | 5 | Teresa Connelly | Israel Rodriguez | Won by 5¼L at PID in July |
| 2 | Big To Do | 4 | Glenn Wismer | Addiel Ayala | 7th at Churchill Downs |
| 3 | Regalo | 4 | Brittany Russell | Fernando Cruz | Last of 8 at Saratoga |
| 4 | Anamnestic | 5 | Kelsey Danner | Adam Beschizza | 3rd at Colonial Downs |
| 5 | Forever Souper | 6 | Michael Trombetta | Antonio Gallardo | 2nd at Laurel Park |
| 6 | Grounded | 7 | Scooter Davis | Rosario Montanez | Won by 4½L at PID |
| 7 | Surly Furious | 7 | Glenn Wismer | Gaddiel Martinez | Won at Canterbury Park |
| 8 | He’s A Mess | 7 | Scooter Davis | Willie Martinez | Won at PID by a neck |
| 9 | Twilight Dancer | 4 | Juan Arriagada | Pablo Morales | 2nd at PID by a neck |
Key Contenders
Grounded (7YO, Medaglia d’Oro)
- Form: 215-211
- Trainer: Scooter Davis
- Strengths: Dominant local form; crushed Happyisashappydoes last out
- Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro x Home Rule (Empire Maker)
Forever Souper (6YO, American Pharoah)
- Form: 14-2532
- Trainer: Michael Trombetta
- Strengths: Consistent stakes-level form; top official rating (112)
- Pedigree: American Pharoah x Mighty Souper (War Front)
He’s A Mess (7YO, Dramedy)
- Form: 325-311
- Trainer: Scooter Davis
- Strengths: Narrow win over Twilight Dancer last out; tactical speed
- Pedigree: Dramedy x Nightfury (Kitalpha)
Betting Insights (Probable Odds)
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forever Souper | 5/2 |
| Grounded | 3/1 |
| Regalo | 4/1 |
| Twilight Dancer | 5/1 |
| He’s A Mess | 6/1 |
| Happyisashappydoes | 8/1 |
| Surly Furious | 10/1 |
| Anamnestic | 20/1 |
| Big To Do | 20/1 |
Strategic Angles
- Pace Setup: Grounded and Happyisashappydoes likely to press early; He’s A Mess and Twilight Dancer may stalk
- Track Bias: Presque Isle’s Tapeta favors mid-pack closers with tactical speed
- Pedigree Edge: Forever Souper’s War Front dam line suits synthetic; Grounded’s Medaglia d’Oro lineage excels on Tapeta
