Race Details:
- Purse: $175,000
- Distance: One And One Eighth Miles
- Eligibility: Three-Year-Olds and Upward
- Entry Fees: $750 to pass the entry box, $1,000 additional to start
- Supplementary Nominations: $2,500 fee, qualifies to start
- Weight: Three-year-olds 122 lbs, Older 125 lbs
- Allowances: Non-winners of $75,000 in 2024 allowed 3 lbs, $60,000 in 2024 allowed 5 lbs, $50,000 in 2024 allowed 7 lbs
- Trophy: Awarded to the owner of the winner
- Closing Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
- Nominations: 31
Contenders:
- Frosted Departure (KY)
- Age: 4/C
- Jockey: W. De La Cruz
- Trainer: C. A. Hartman
- Odds: 5/1
- Pedigree: Frosted – Undeterred (by More Than Ready)
- Owner: Joey K. Davis, JD Thoroughbreds, LLC, Larry J. Romero & Pravin A. Patel
- Liberal Arts (KY)
- Age: 3/C
- Jockey: C. A. Torres
- Trainer: B. H. Cox
- Odds: 12/1
- Pedigree: Arrogate – Ismene (by Tribal Rule)
- Owner: Stephen Ferraro and Evan Ferraro
- Unload (KY)
- Age: 4/G
- Jockey: E. Asmussen
- Trainer: S. M. Asmussen
- Odds: 6/1
- Pedigree: Gun Runner – Untapped (by Tapit)
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron & Joan Winchell)
- Horace Mann (KY)
- Age: 4/G
- Jockey: M. Garcia
- Trainer: P. D’Amato
- Odds: 2/1
- Pedigree: Twirling Candy – Saintly Sister (by Saint Liam)
- Owner: Little Red Feather Racing (William Koch) Owner Link
- Red Route One (KY)
- Age: 4/C
- Jockey: R. Santana, Jr.
- Trainer: S. M. Asmussen
- Odds: 5/2
- Pedigree: Gun Runner – Red House (by Tapit)
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron & Joan Winchell)
- Hurry Hurry (KY)
- Age: 4/C
- Jockey: F. Arrieta
- Trainer: M. P. Sims
- Odds: 10/1
- Pedigree: Accelerate – Grassy Nellie (by Belong to Me)
- Owner: Steve L. Robbins
- Creative Minister (KY)
- Age: 5/G
- Jockey: E. Esquivel
- Trainer: K. G. McPeek
- Odds: 15/1
- Pedigree: Creative Cause – Tamboz (by Tapit)
- Owner: Fern Circle Stables (Paul Fireman) & Back Racing, LLC (Gregory Back)
- Quality Chic (KY)
- Age: 4/G
- Jockey: R. Bejarano
- Trainer: J. G. Cook
- Odds: 12/1
- Pedigree: Quality Road – Chica Boom Chic (by Tapit)
- Owner: David E. Miller
- Seize the Night (KY)
- Age: 5/G
- Jockey: J. R. Leparoux
- Trainer: E. Milligan, Jr.
- Odds: 15/1
- Pedigree: Carpe Diem – Candle Maker (by Tapit)
- Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC (Kevin Horton)
Analysis:
- Horace Mann: The favorite at 2/1, Horace Mann has shown significant improvement since switching to the main track. His recent performances make him a strong contender.
- Red Route One: With odds of 5/2, Red Route One has been consistent and is expected to perform well.
- Frosted Departure: At 5/1, Frosted Departure has shown potential and could be a dark horse in this race.
- Hurry Hurry: With odds of 10/1, Hurry Hurry has shown promise and could surprise with a strong finish.
This race promises to be exciting with a mix of favorites and potential dark horses. Will Horace Mann live up to his favorite status, or will another contender rise to the occasion?
