The Grade III Aristides Stakes, a high-profile sprint race, returns to Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 31, 2025, as part of Stephen Foster Preview Day. This six-furlong dirt race features a $275,000 purse and serves as a local prep for the Grade III Kelly’s Landing Stakes on June 28.
Race Overview
- Event: 2025 Aristides Stakes (Grade III)
- Date: May 31, 2025
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- Distance: 6 furlongs (Dirt)
- Purse: $275,000
- Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Up
- Post Time: 3:18 PM ET
Top Contenders & Pedigrees
| Horse | Sire | Trainer | Jockey | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skelly | Practical Joke | Steve Asmussen | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 7/5 |
| World Record | Gun Runner | Rodolphe Brisset | Flavien Prat | 3/1 |
| Giant Mischief | Into Mischief | Brad Cox | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4/1 |
| Happy Is a Choice | Runhappy | John Ortiz | Reylu Gutierrez | 6/1 |
| Champlin | Ransom the Moon | Greg Foley | Luis Saez | 6/1 |
| Durante | Distorted Humor | David Jacobson | Jose Ortiz | 15/1 |
| Here Mi Song | Cross Traffic | William Stinson Jr. | Alex Achard | 15/1 |
Key Horses to Watch
- Skelly (Practical Joke) – A 12-time winning sprinter, trained by Steve Asmussen, coming off a dominant 10½-length victory in the Lake Hamilton Stakes.
- World Record (Gun Runner) – Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, this Grade II Amsterdam Stakes winner recently won a six-furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs in 1:07.84.
- Giant Mischief (Into Mischief) – A class dropper, trained by Brad Cox, looking to rebound after finishing ninth in the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes.
Race Strategy & Betting Insights
- Pace Analysis: Expect Skelly and World Record to set the early pace, while Giant Mischief and Happy Is a Choice will look to close late.
- Track Conditions: With fast dirt expected, front-runners may have an advantage.
- Best Bet: Skelly (7/5) – Proven speed and dominant recent form make him the top contender.
How to Watch & Wager
- TV Broadcast: TVG, FanDuel Racing
- Streaming: TwinSpires, DRF Bets
- Post Time: 3:18 PM ET
