Race 8 – Colonial Downs, New Kent, VA
Saturday, July 26, 2025 – Post Time: 4:03 PM ET
Purse: $100,000 – 6 Furlongs – Dirt – Fillies & Mares, 3YO & Up
Race Overview
The Love Sign Stakes returns to Colonial Downs with a competitive field of nine fillies and mares sprinting six furlongs on dirt. This open-company stakes event honors the legendary Virginia-bred mare Love Sign, a three-time Grade 1 winner in the late 1970s. With speed, class, and pedigree converging, this race is a key highlight of the summer meet.
Full Field Analysis
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Happy Clouds | Denis Araujo | Ryan Gillespie | Paynter – Two to One | 20-1 |
| 2 | Mosienko | J.D. Acosta | Mike Jones Jr. | Hat Trick (JPN) – Exclusively Yours | 20-1 |
| 3 | Costa Amalfitana | Johan Rosado | Carlos Munoz | Twirling Candy – Valuable Package | 30-1 |
| 4 | Admiral Hopper | Jean Briceno | Justin Nixon | Field Commission – Flower Class | 15-1 |
| 5 | Ms. Bucchero | Fernando Jara | Diane Morici | Bucchero – Give Glory to God | 7-2 |
| 6 | Bourbon Breeze | Francisco Arrieta | Rodolphe Brisset | Omaha Beach – Malibu Pride | 5-2 |
| 7 | Alani | Andy Hernandez | Michael Moore | Competitive Edge – Tri Delt Girl | 3-1 |
| 8 | Sunset Express | Alexis Centeno | Joel Campbell | Khozan – Jelly Cable | 8-1 |
| 9 | Top Gun Girl | Ben Curtis | Rodolphe Brisset | Air Force Blue – Moanin (FR) | 4-1 |
Top Contenders Breakdown
Bourbon Breeze (5-2)
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta
Pedigree: Omaha Beach × Malibu Pride
Form: Fourth in the Saylorville Stakes; prior allowance wins at Keeneland and Oaklawn
Edge: Tactical speed and improving form make her the one to beat
Alani (3-1)
Trainer: Michael Moore
Jockey: Andy Hernandez
Pedigree: Competitive Edge × Tri Delt Girl
Form: Consistent in allowance company; sharp recent works
Edge: Versatile running style and strong late kick
Top Gun Girl (4-1)
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Pedigree: Air Force Blue × Moanin (FR)
Form: Claimed for $80K; competitive in stakes-level sprints
Edge: Experience and class; dangerous if pace collapses
Longshot to Watch
Ms. Bucchero (7-2)
Trainer: Diane Morici
Jockey: Fernando Jara
Pedigree: Bucchero × Give Glory to God
Form: Solid allowance efforts; fits on speed figures
Upside: Could surprise with a clean trip and early positioning
Tactical Race Setup
Pace Scenario: Expect a hot early pace with Happy Clouds, Costa Amalfitana, and Sunset Express vying for the lead.
Stalkers: Bourbon Breeze and Alani should sit just off the pace, ready to pounce.
Closers: Top Gun Girl and Mosienko will look to capitalize late if the front-runners tire.
Betting Strategy
Exacta Box: Bourbon Breeze / Alani / Top Gun Girl
Trifecta Key: Bourbon Breeze over Alani, Top Gun Girl, Ms. Bucchero
Superfecta Sleeper: Admiral Hopper (15-1) – sneaky underneath play
Prediction:
Bourbon Breeze
Alani
Top Gun Girl
Final Time Estimate: 1:09.8
