Race Details
- Event: Matt Winn Stakes (G3)
- Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
- Time: 4:22 PM ET
- Venue: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Dirt)
- Purse: $400,000
- Eligible Horses: 3-Year-Olds
Field Overview & Contenders
The Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs features a competitive field of seven 3-year-olds, including five Kentucky Derby alumni looking to rebound after their performances in the Run for the Roses. This race serves as a key post-Triple Crown reset, allowing promising horses to regain momentum in their careers.
Top Horses to Watch
- Gaming (Game Winner x So Stylish)
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Owner: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman
- Career Record: 5 starts – 2 wins, 1 place, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Speed and tactical versatility; finished third in the Pat Day Mile (G2).
- Final Gambit (Not This Time x Pachinko)
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Owner: Juddmonte
- Career Record: 6 starts – 2 wins, 2 places, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Strong closer; finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
- Chunk of Gold (Preservationist x Play for Gold)
- Trainer: Ethan West
- Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- Owner: Terry Stephens
- Career Record: 6 starts – 1 win, 2 places, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Consistent performer; finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby.
- Just a Fair Shake (Laoban x Ladymidtown)
- Trainer: Daniel McKenzie
- Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
- Owner: LaShawna Lynch
- Career Record: 5 starts – 1 win, 3 places, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Underdog with potential; finished second in the Sir Barton Stakes.
- Burnham Square (Liam’s Map x Linda)
- Trainer: Ian Wilkes
- Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds
- Career Record: 7 starts – 2 wins, 2 places, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Versatile runner; finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby after a troubled trip.
- Coal Battle (Coal Front x Wolfblade)
- Trainer: Lonnie Briley
- Jockey: Corey Lanerie
- Owner: Norman Stables
- Career Record: 9 starts – 5 wins, 1 place, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Proven stakes performer; won the Rebel Stakes (G2) earlier this year.
- East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro x Dance Music)
- Trainer: Brendan Walsh
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Owner: Godolphin
- Career Record: 8 starts – 3 wins, 2 places, 1 show
- Key Strengths: Front-runner with stamina; finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby.
Race Strategy & Betting Insights
- Pace Projection: Expect East Avenue to set the early pace, with Gaming pressing from the inside. Final Gambit and Coal Battle will likely close late.
- Best Bet: Final Gambit to Win – He has elite closing speed and a top trainer-jockey combo.
- Value Bet: Burnham Square to Place – He had a troubled trip in the Derby but has proven class.
- Longshot Play: Just a Fair Shake to Show – He has hit the board in all five career starts.
