The KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes returns for its seventh running as Race 9 at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 2, 2025. This $250,000 turf sprint for fillies and mares aged 3 and up is contested over 5½ furlongs and serves as a key prep for the Grade 2 Mint Ladies Sprint at Kentucky Downs later this month.
Race Details
Race: KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes
Track: Ellis Park, Henderson, KY
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Post Time: 3:42 PM CT
Distance: 5½ furlongs (Turf)
Purse: $250,000
Conditions: Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds and Up
Full Field Analysis
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire | Dam (Dam Sire) | ML Odds |
| 1 | Irish Maxima | Axel Concepcion | John Servis | Maximus Mischief | Palace Pier (Out of Place) | 7/2 |
| 2 | Pondering | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh | Hard Spun | Always Thinking (Street Sense) | 6/1 |
| 3 | Foxxy Cleopatra | Jareth Loveberry | Larry Rivelli | Munnings | One Foxy Grey (Big Brown) | 8/1 |
| 4 | Accomplished Girl | Erik Asmussen | Steve Asmussen | Street Boss | Dazzle (Twirling Candy) | 8/1 |
| 5 | Cloudwalker | Declan Cannon | Brendan Walsh | More Than Ready | Tale of Class (Tale of Ekati) | 5/1 |
| 6 | Serene Seraph (IRE) | Florent Geroux | Bill Mott | Blue Point (IRE) | Pacific Angel (IRE) (Dalakhani) | 6/1 |
| 7 | Out Too Late (GB) | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Mike Maker | Expert Eye (GB) | Miss Atomic Bomb (GB) (Intikhab) | 12/1 |
| 8 | Bling | Luan Machado | Victoria Oliver | American Pharoah | Blonde Bomber (Fort Larned) | 3/1 |
| 9 | Won Happy Mama | Elvin Gonzalez | Travis Murphy | Runhappy | Vicarious Won (Elusive Quality) | 30/1 |
Top Contenders Breakdown
Bling (ML: 3/1)
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Jockey: Luan Machado
Pedigree: By American Pharoah, out of Blonde Bomber (Fort Larned)
Form: Rebounded with a win after prior DQ; third in this race last year
Edge: Class edge, tactical speed, strong closing kick
Irish Maxima (ML: 7/2)
Trainer: John Servis
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Pedigree: By Maximus Mischief, out of Palace Pier
Form: Eight wins from 12 starts; G3 winner on dirt, turf debut
Edge: Versatile, stakes experience, intriguing surface switch
Cloudwalker (ML: 5/1)
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Declan Cannon
Pedigree: By More Than Ready, out of Tale of Class
Form: Consistent turf sprinter; rated 105
Edge: Proven turf form, sharp connections
Pedigree Insights
American Pharoah: Bling’s sire; adds class and stamina to turf sprinters.
Maximus Mischief: Irish Maxima’s sire; emerging influence with precocious fillies.
More Than Ready: Cloudwalker’s sire; elite turf progenitor.
Blue Point (IRE): Serene Seraph’s sire; European sprint champion.
Street Boss: Accomplished Girl’s sire; known for speed and turf versatility.
Final Thoughts
The Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes sets up as a high-speed showdown with Bling and Irish Maxima leading the charge. Cloudwalker and Serene Seraph offer strong turf credentials, while Accomplished Girl and Foxxy Cleopatra bring stakes experience. Expect a blistering pace and a thrilling finish in this key Kentucky Downs prep.
