Race Overview
Race Name: KY Downs Preview Turf Sprint Stakes (Listed)
Track: Ellis Park, Henderson, KY
Surface: Turf
Distance: 5½ furlongs
Purse: $250,000
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Up
Post Time: 4:12 PM ET
Field Size: 12 runners
Bonus: Winner earns automatic berth to the Grade II Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Coppola
Pedigree: Into Mischief × Blind Copy
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Odds: 9/2
Form: 156451
Notes: Veteran sprinter with 11 career wins. Won last out at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Dangerous if he gets a clean break
2. Mo Stash
Pedigree: Mo Town × Making Mark Money
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Jockey: Edgar Morales
Odds: 15/1
Form: 533927
Notes: Hasn’t won since early 2024. Needs a pace meltdown to be effective late
3. Joe Shiesty
Pedigree: Air Force Blue × Ready to Unleash
Trainer: Eric Foster
Jockey: Luan Machado
Odds: 5/1
Form: 701221
Notes: Speedy gelding named after Joe Burrow. Won the Mighty Beau Stakes in June. Will be prominent early
4. Go Captain
Pedigree: Mo Town × Etoile d’Allie
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Odds: 30/1
Form: 327210
Notes: Inconsistent form. Likely outclassed here
5. Chiseler
Pedigree: Speightstown × Spindle
Trainer: Brittany Vanden Berg
Jockey: Christopher Emigh
Odds: 30/1
Form: 412127
Notes: Has speed but faded last out. Needs a perfect trip
6. Double Clutch
Pedigree: Optimizer × Switching Gears
Trainer: George Arnold II
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Odds: 20/1
Form: 219354
Notes: Calumet Farm homebred. Has back class but recent efforts are dull
7. Nobals
Pedigree: Noble Mission (GB) × Pearly Blue
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Odds: 5/2 (Morning Line Favorite)
Form: 517212
Notes: 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner. Multiple graded stakes victories. The class of the field
8. High Front
Pedigree: Summer Front × Tide Is High
Trainer: Steven Asmussen
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Odds: 20/1
Form: 306022
Notes: Late runner with decent form. Could hit the board if pace collapses
9. Bal a Kazoo
Pedigree: Bal a Bali (BRZ) × Golden Sky (IRE)
Trainer: Robert Gorham
Jockey: Luis Contreras
Odds: 30/1
Form: 235734
Notes: Has struggled to finish strongly. Needs a big jump in form
10. Arzak
Pedigree: Not This Time × Delightful Melody
Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Jockey: Jaime Torres
Odds: 3/1
Form: 362746
Notes: Millionaire turf sprinter with 8 wins. Has faced top company. Major threat to Nobals
11. Charcoal
Pedigree: English Channel × Rose of Aran
Trainer: Tracey Wisner
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr.
Odds: 15/1
Form: 152062
Notes: Pulled a 26-1 upset in this race last year. Can’t be ignored
12. Bear River
Pedigree: Flameaway × Sixtyfivenorth
Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
Odds: 15/1
Form: 644173
Notes: Improving 4-year-old. Could be a pace factor from the outside
| Position | Horse | Reasoning |
| 1st | Nobals | Proven class, elite turf sprinter, top connections |
| 2nd | Arzak | Stakes experience, strong closing kick |
| 3rd | Joe Shiesty | Tactical speed, recent stakes win |
Win Bet: Nobals
Exacta Box: Nobals / Arzak / Joe Shiesty
Trifecta Play: Nobals over Arzak and Joe Shiesty
Longshot to Watch: Charcoal – upset potential based on last year’s win
