Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Track: Ellis Park, Henderson, KY
Race: Race 8 | Distance: 5½ furlongs (Turf) | Purse: $150,000 | Age: 3-Year-Olds
Race Overview
The Dade Park Dash Stakes returns as Ellis Park’s premier turf sprint for 3-year-olds, drawing a competitive field of nine colts and geldings. With a mix of proven stakes winners, turf specialists, and rising stars, this 5½-furlong dash promises a high-octane showdown on the grass.
Full Field Analysis (Post Position Order)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Notable |
| 1 | Kale’s Angel | Ramon Vazquez | Peter Miller | Complexity – Love Affair | 3x stakes winner, back on turf |
| 2 | Troubleshooting | Edgar Morales | Greg Foley | Not This Time – Into Trouble | Sharp form, 107 rating |
| 3 | Rolando | Julien Leparoux | Fausto Gutierrez | Vekoma – Mixteca | 3 wins from 7, tactical speed |
| 4 | Coming in Hot | Luan Machado | John Ennis | Maclean’s Music – Allianna | Longshot with early pace |
| 5 | Star’s Image | Walter Rodriguez | Larry Rivelli | Caravaggio – Bo’s Image | 2-for-4, improving sprinter |
| 6 | Hit That Review (IRE) | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh | No Nay Never – Tamazug (GB) | Euro pedigree, sneaky value |
| 7 | Bridle a Butterfly | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Al Stall Jr. | Country House – Sly Storm | Stakes winner, versatile |
| 8 | Chasing Liberty | Florent Geroux | Rob Atras | Constitution – Peaceful | $156K earner, class of the field |
| 9 | Dreaminblue | Cristian Torres | Randy Morse | Street Boss – Dreamy Blues | Late kick, wide draw |
Key Contenders & Pedigree Insights
Chasing Liberty (PP8)
Pedigree: By Constitution, excels on turf and mile distances.
Form: 4 wins from 8 starts, including the Texas Turf Mile.
Edge: Tactical speed and proven class; Geroux fits well.
Kale’s Angel (PP1)
Pedigree: By Complexity, turf sprint pedigree with stamina hints.
Form: 4 wins, including stakes at Oaklawn and Turfway.
Note: Returns to turf after a solid dirt campaign.
Troubleshooting (PP2)
Pedigree: Not This Time progeny excel in turf sprints.
Form: 107 rating, sharp recent efforts.
Trainer: Greg Foley is red-hot at Ellis Park.
Bridle a Butterfly (PP7)
Pedigree: By Country House, out of stakes winner Sly Storm.
Form: Winner of the William Walker Stakes at Churchill.
Note: Homebred with upside and strong connections.
Pace & Tactical Breakdown
Early Speed: Kale’s Angel, Coming in Hot, Star’s Image
Stalkers: Chasing Liberty, Troubleshooting, Rolando
Closers: Dreaminblue, Hit That Review
Expect a hot early pace, with Kale’s Angel and Coming in Hot pressing from the inside. This could set up well for a tactical closer like Chasing Liberty or a mid-pack stalker like Troubleshooting.
