The 124th running of the $225,000 Debutante Stakes (Listed) takes place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Churchill Downs, featuring a field of nine 2-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on dirt. This historic juvenile stakes race has launched the careers of future Grade 1 winners like Wonder Wheel and Brightwork, and this year’s edition is loaded with precocious talent, elite pedigrees, and top-tier connections.
Full Field & Post Positions
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Essential Coffee | Flavien Prat | Steve Asmussen | 3/1 |
| 2 | Vajra | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Rodolphe Brisset | 15/1 |
| 3 | Light Won Up | Antonio Fresu | Doug O’Neill | 5/1 |
| 4 | Americathegreat | Jose L. Ortiz | Mark Casse | 7/2 |
| 5 | Jaboss | Sophie Doyle | Christopher Davis | 20/1 |
| 6 | Mine Strike | Junior Alvarado | Carlos David | 15/1 |
| 7 | Percy’s Bar | Luan Machado | Ben Colebrook | 9/2 |
| 8 | Color Comin’ In | Luis Saez | Norm Casse | 4/1 |
| 9 | Lilies N Paradise | Edgar Morales | Mike Maker | 10/1 |
Pedigree & Performance Analysis
Essential Coffee (Nyquist – Winding Way, by Malibu Moon)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pedigree Notes: Half-sister to G3-placed Skinner; dam was a G3-winning sprinter.
Debut: Crossed the wire 8½ lengths clear but was DQ’d for interference.
Vajra (Vekoma – Lady Hansen, by Hansen)
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Pedigree Notes: From the family of Hansen; Vekoma’s first crop showing speed.
Form: Fifth in debut; needs improvement.
Light Won Up (City of Light – Factorofwon, by The Factor)
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pedigree Notes: Dam was a stakes-winning sprinter; City of Light progeny are fast starters.
Debut: Won at Santa Anita with an 87 speed figure; flattered by next-out winners.
Americathegreat (Curlin – America, by A.P. Indy)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Pedigree Notes: Full sister to G3 winner First Captain; deep stamina pedigree.
Debut: Closed from last to finish second to Color Comin’ In.
Jaboss (Classic Empire – Indy Takes Charge, by A.P. Indy)
Trainer: Christopher Davis
Pedigree Notes: Classic Empire’s progeny are versatile; dam adds stamina.
Debut: Won by a head after a slow start.
Mine Strike (Tom’s d’Etat – Danyelli, by Mineshaft)
Trainer: Carlos David
Pedigree Notes: Tom’s d’Etat is a rising sire; dam is a half to stakes winners.
Debut: Won at Gulfstream in a blanket finish.
Percy’s Bar (Upstart – Honestly Deb, by Tapit)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Pedigree Notes: Upstart filly from a Tapit mare; bred for speed and class.
Debut: Exploded late to win by 4 lengths at Keeneland.
Color Comin’ In (Rock Your World – Sleepless Dixie, by Dixie Union)
Trainer: Norm Casse
Pedigree Notes: Rock Your World’s first crop; dam was a stakes-placed sprinter.
Debut: Wired the field at Churchill; beat Americathegreat by 3 lengths.
Lilies N Paradise (Maxfield – Why Oh You, by Yes It’s True)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Pedigree Notes: Maxfield’s first crop; dam adds sprint influence.
Debut: Won by a nose in a 4½-furlong dash.
Race Dynamics & Tactical Outlook
Pace Scenario: Expect Color Comin’ In, Light Won Up, and Essential Coffee to flash early speed. Percy’s Bar and Americathegreat could benefit from a hot pace.
Track Bias: Churchill’s main track has favored forwardly placed runners in juvenile sprints.
Key Factors: Break from the gate, early positioning, and ability to handle pressure in just their second career start.
Betting Strategy & Prediction
Top Pick: Essential Coffee – elite pedigree, strong debut, and top connections.
Value Play: Percy’s Bar – explosive finish and strong gallop-out suggest upside.
Exotics Threat: Light Won Up – fast debut and sharp works; could surprise.
