Race Details
- Event: Keertana Stakes (Listed)
- Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Time: 5:27 PM ET
- Venue: Churchill Downs
- Distance: 1 ½ miles (Matt Winn Turf Course)
- Purse: $250,000
- Age Group: Fillies & Mares, 4-year-olds and up
Field Overview & Contenders
The Keertana Stakes features a competitive field of seven talented turf runners, including several horses who previously clashed in the Grade III Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland.
Chop Chop (Jockey: Axel Concepcion | Trainer: Brad Cox)
- Recent Form: Winner of the Bewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.
- Pedigree: By City of Light, known for producing versatile runners.
- Analysis: Chop Chop has been strong on turf, returning to the surface after a year competing on dirt and Tapeta. She won the Bewitch Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths, proving she can handle the longer distance.
Atomic Blonde (Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione | Trainer: Christophe Clement)
- Recent Form: Runner-up in the Bewitch Stakes (G3).
- Pedigree: By The Grey Gatsby (IRE), a sire known for stamina.
- Analysis: Atomic Blonde has European experience, previously winning a Group III race in Italy. She finished third in the Sheepshead Bay (G2) and Orchid (G3) last season, making her a serious contender.
Vegara (Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Graham Motion)
- Recent Form: Third in the Bewitch Stakes (G3).
- Pedigree: By Animal Kingdom, known for producing turf specialists.
- Analysis: Vegara has been consistent in graded stakes, finishing third or better in four of her last five starts. She has the stamina for the distance and could be a late-closing threat.
Tower Bridge (Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. | Trainer: Cherie DeVaux)
- Recent Form: Fourth in the Bewitch Stakes (G3).
- Pedigree: By Kitten’s Joy, a sire known for turf excellence.
- Analysis: Tower Bridge has been competitive in stakes races, but she’ll need to improve off her last effort to challenge the top contenders.
Holey Foley (Jockey: Frankie Dettori | Trainer: Brian Lynch)
- Recent Form: Winner of an Allowance race at Keeneland.
- Pedigree: By English Channel, a sire known for producing marathon turf runners.
- Analysis: Holey Foley is stepping up in class, but her pedigree suggests she can handle the 1 ½-mile distance.
Sand and Sea (Jockey: Rey Gutierrez | Trainer: Riley Mott)
- Recent Form: Faded late in the Bewitch Stakes (G3) after setting a fast pace.
- Pedigree: By Sea The Stars (IRE), a legendary European turf sire.
- Analysis: Sand and Sea has early speed, but she’ll need to pace herself better to avoid fading late.
Heavenly Appointed (Jockey: Kevin Gomez | Trainer: Graham Motion)
- Recent Form: Fifth in the Orchid Stakes (G3).
- Pedigree: By Medaglia d’Oro, a sire known for producing elite turf runners.
- Analysis: Heavenly Appointed has solid turf credentials, but she’ll need to improve her late kick to contend.
Race Strategy & Prediction
- Pace Scenario: Sand and Sea is expected to set the early pace, with Chop Chop and Atomic Blonde tracking closely.
- Closing Threats: Vegara and Holey Foley could make late moves, especially if the pace is fast.
- Prediction: Chop Chop has the best recent form and a proven ability at the distance, making her the horse to beat. Atomic Blonde and Vegara should be right there in contention, with Holey Foley as a potential upset candidate.
