This seven-furlong dirt sprint for fillies and mares, 4 years old and up, offers a $300,000 purse and features a deep, competitive field of 11 runners.
Race Overview: 2025 Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs
- Race: Grade II Chicago Stakes
- Track: Churchill Downs
- Surface: Dirt
- Distance: 7 furlongs
- Purse: $300,000
- Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 4YO+
- Post Time: 10:11 PM ET (Race 9)
- Where to Watch: FanDuel TV, FOX Sports, TwinSpires
This year’s edition features a blend of established graded stakes winners, emerging sprinters, and local specialists, including defending champion Vahva, Grade II winner Emery, and Churchill specialist My Mane Squeeze.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis with Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Pedigree | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emery | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | More Than Ready – Embur’s Song | 5-2 (Fav) |
| 2 | Mink’s Palace | Eddie Kenneally | Ben Curtis | Palace Malice – Mink’s Apron | 12-1 |
| 3 | Gray Lightning | Armando Hernandez | Walter Rodriguez | Graydar – Lightning Lucy | 30-1 |
| 4 | Brightwork | John Ortiz | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Outwork – Clarendon Fancy | 10-1 |
| 5 | Vahva | Cherie DeVaux | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Gun Runner – Holiday Soiree | 3-1 |
| 6 | Marmalade Skye | David Jacobson | Irving Moncada | Sky Mesa – Orange Marmalade | 20-1 |
| 7 | Harbor Springs | Greg Foley | Edgar Morales | Into Mischief – Spring Party | 20-1 |
| 8 | Pigalle | Brendan Walsh | Tyler Gaffalione | Speightstown – Parisian Affair | 15-1 |
| 9 | My Mane Squeeze | Mike Maker | Luis Saez | Audible – My Dinah Lee | 6-1 |
| 10 | Claret Beret | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Julien Leparoux | Army Mule – Red Beret | 15-1 |
| 11 | Zeitlos | Steve Asmussen | Flavien Prat | Ghostzapper – Timeless Indy | 8-1 |
Key Contenders to Watch
Emery (Post 1)
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Record: 10: 5-3-0
- Notable Wins: G2 Raven Run, Leslie’s Lady Overnight
- Analysis: Tactical speed and rail draw make her dangerous. Proven at 7 furlongs and owns a win over the Churchill surface. If she breaks cleanly, she could control the pace.
Vahva (Post 5)
- Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Record: 14: 6-3-2
- Notable Wins: G1 Derby City Distaff, 2024 Chicago Stakes
- Analysis: Classy closer who needs a fast pace. Has struggled since her Breeders’ Cup flop but is undefeated over fast Churchill dirt. Dangerous if she rebounds.
My Mane Squeeze (Post 9)
- Trainer: Mike Maker
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Record: 11: 5-2-2
- Notable Wins: G2 Eight Belles, G3 Dogwood
- Analysis: 2-for-2 at Churchill and excels at 7 furlongs. Consistent and versatile, she’ll be rolling late.
Zeitlos (Post 11)
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Record: 18: 7-4-2
- Notable Wins: Skipat Stakes, Open Mind
- Analysis: Enters off a sharp win at Pimlico. Has tactical speed and is dangerous second off the layoff.
Recent Form & Prep Races
- Emery and Vahva both exit the G1 Derby City Distaff, finishing 5th and 7th respectively on a sloppy track.
- Zeitlos won the Skipat Stakes on Preakness weekend.
- My Mane Squeeze was third in the G2 Ruffian at Aqueduct.
- Brightwork and Mink’s Palace exit the G3 Winning Colors.
- Claret Beret won a Gulfstream handicap by nearly 20 lengths.
Race Strategy & Pace Scenario
- Pace Projection: Moderate. Emery and Gray Lightning are the likely pace-setters.
- Closers: Vahva, Zeitlos, My Mane Squeeze, and Brightwork will be flying late.
- Wild Cards: Pigalle and Claret Beret are stepping up in class but have upside.
Projected Order of Finish
- Emery
- My Mane Squeeze
- Vahva
- Zeitlos
- Brightwork
