Location: New Kent, Virginia

Scheduled Post Time: 4:08 PM ET

Distance: 6 furlongs (dirt)

Surface: Dirt

Purse: $100,000

Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3‑years‑old and up

This is a high‑quality sprint stakes featuring eight experienced fillies and mares, including multiple stakes winners and two runners from the powerful Brittany Russell barn.

Venue — Colonial Downs (New Kent, VA)

Colonial Downs is one of the Mid‑Atlantic’s premier racing venues, known for:

A dirt track with a long, fair stretch that rewards sustained late kick.

Consistent summer conditions, often producing a fast surface.

A rural setting between Richmond and Williamsburg, offering stable weather and minimal wind interference.

The 6‑furlong configuration begins with a long run into the turn, making early speed and post position critical.

Expected Weather

Forecast: Mostly Cloudy, High 77°F, Low 67°F, 33% chance of precipitation, light winds.

Track Projection:

Likely: Fast

If showers occur: Could briefly shift to Good or Muddy, but probability is low.

Field Overview & Morning Line Odds

PP	Horse	ML Odds	Age	Jockey	Trainer
1	Pistol	8/1	7	Jevian Toledo	Thomas L. Van Berg
2	Going Steady	8/1	4	Jorge Ruiz	Robert Medina
3	Dare to Fly	10/1	4	Johan Rosado	John Ennis
4	Conquerthosewecan	4/1	4	Sheldon Russell	Brittany Russell
5	Gin’s Beach Road	6/1	4	Samuel Marin	Mark Casse
6	Bella Italia	30/1	4	Mychel Sanchez	Brittany Russell
7	Anakarina	2/1 (Favorite)	4	Paco Lopez	Saffie Joseph Jr.
8	Outrageously	3/1	5	Jareth Loveberry	Jordan Blair

Last Three Recent Finishes (from Racing Post form lines)

1. Pistol (PP 1)

Form: 5‑1‑6‑6‑4 (most recent three: 6th, 6th, 4th) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Veteran mare with tactical speed but inconsistent finishing.

2. Going Steady (PP 2)

Form: 2‑8‑6‑2‑1 (recent: 6th, 2nd, 1st) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Improving filly; capable of a strong mid‑pack rally.

3. Dare to Fly (PP 3)

Form: 2‑7‑1‑1‑6‑6 (recent: 1st, 1st, 6th) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Versatile; two wins in last three but inconsistent.

4. Conquerthosewecan (PP 4)

Form: 3‑4‑2‑1‑1 (recent: 2nd, 1st, 1st) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: One of the sharpest horses in the field; Russell barn excels in sprints.

5. Gin’s Beach Road (PP 5)

Form: 4‑3‑3‑2‑3 (recent: 3rd, 2nd, 3rd) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Consistent board hitter; lacks killer instinct but always runs well.

6. Bella Italia (PP 6)

Form: 3‑1‑3‑1‑1 (recent: 3rd, 1st, 1st) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Longshot with sneaky upside; Russell’s second runner.

7. Anakarina (PP 7)

Form: 7‑7‑1‑2‑2 (recent: 1st, 2nd, 2nd) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Morning‑line favorite; elite speed and class.

8. Outrageously (PP 8)

Form: 1‑6‑1‑1 (recent: 1st, 1st, 1st) Track Conditions: Fast Profile: Enters on a three‑race win streak; dangerous outside draw.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

PP 1 — Pistol (8/1)

Trainer: Thomas L. Van Berg

Jockey: Jevian Toledo

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Wild Bout Tiffany

Strengths: Experience; can sit close to the pace.

Concerns: Recent form declining; needs big turnaround.

PP 2 — Going Steady (8/1)

Trainer: Robert Medina

Jockey: Jorge Ruiz

Pedigree: Constitution – Bluejeans

Strengths: Improving; strong mid‑race acceleration.

Concerns: Must avoid traffic from inside draw.

PP 3 — Dare to Fly (10/1)

Trainer: John Ennis

Jockey: Johan Rosado

Pedigree: Daredevil – Dee Dee Bertie

Strengths: Two wins in last three; versatile running style.

Concerns: Inconsistent; needs clean break.

PP 4 — Conquerthosewecan (4/1)

Trainer: Brittany Russell

Jockey: Sheldon Russell

Pedigree: Bernardini – American Victory

Strengths: Sharp form; elite barn; tactical speed.

Concerns: Must avoid duel with Anakarina.

PP 5 — Gin’s Beach Road (6/1)

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Samuel Marin

Pedigree: Quality Road – Yellow Agate

Strengths: Consistent board hitter; strong stamina.

Concerns: Lacks top‑end speed.

PP 6 — Bella Italia (30/1)

Trainer: Brittany Russell

Jockey: Mychel Sanchez

Pedigree: Authentic – S S Pinafore

Strengths: Upside; improving.

Concerns: Outclassed on paper.

PP 7 — Anakarina (2/1)

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Pedigree: Vekoma – Tacit Approval

Strengths: Best early speed; top class; Lopez excels in sprints.

Concerns: Must avoid pace duel with Outrageously.

PP 8 — Outrageously (3/1)

Trainer: Jordan Blair

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Pedigree: Practical Joke – Outrageous Miss

Strengths: Three straight wins; perfect outside draw.

Concerns: Needs to clear early to avoid being hung wide.

Pace Projection

Early Speed: Anakarina, Outrageously

Pressers: Conquerthosewecan, Dare to Fly

Mid‑pack: Gin’s Beach Road, Going Steady

Closers: Pistol, Bella Italia

Likely Scenario: Anakarina and Outrageously break sharply. Conquerthosewecan sits the perfect stalking trip. If the pace is hot, Gin’s Beach Road becomes dangerous late.

Location: New Kent, Virginia

Scheduled Post Time: 3:38 PM ET

Distance: 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)

Surface: Dirt

Purse: $100,000

Eligibility: 3-year-olds & up

This is a seven‑horse stakes field featuring multiple graded-caliber runners, including Barbadian Runner, Inveigled, and Vibe, all shipping in with strong form lines.

Venue — Colonial Downs (New Kent, VA)

Colonial Downs is one of the premier Mid‑Atlantic racing venues, known for:

A dirt track with a long, fair stretch that rewards sustained late kick.

A reputation for honest pace setups—speed can hold, but closers have room to run.

A rural setting between Richmond and Williamsburg, offering consistent summer track conditions.

The dirt surface typically plays fast in July unless rain intervenes.

Expected Weather

Forecast for race day: Mostly Cloudy, High 77°F, Low 67°F, 33% chance of precipitation, light winds.

Track Projection:

Likely: Fast

If showers occur: Track may briefly shift to Good or Muddy, but forecast suggests only scattered light rain.

Field Overview & Morning Line Odds

PP	Horse	ML Odds	Jockey	Trainer
1	Vibe	2/1	Jorge Ruiz	Todd Pletcher
2	Adero	10/1	Mychel Sanchez	Jamie Ness
3	Barbadian Runner	6/5 (Fav.)	Forest Boyce	Henry Walters
4	Inveigled	8/1	Paco Lopez	Arnaud Delacour
5	Aristotle	6/1	Samuel Marin	Mark Casse
6	Stowaway	8/1	Jareth Loveberry	Whit Beckman
7	Xcellent Start	30/1	Fredy Peltroche	Wade Sanderson

Last Three Recent Finishes (from Racenet form lines)

1. Vibe (PP 1)

Last 3: 7th, 1st, 1st

Track Conditions: Fast (SAR), Fast

Notes: Strong early-season form but poor last outing; dangerous if he rebounds.

2. Adero (PP 2)

Last 3: 2nd, 3rd, 7th

Track Conditions: Fast (LRL), Fast

Notes: Consistent grinder; always runs his race.

3. Barbadian Runner (PP 3)

Last 3: 1st, 1st, 2nd

Track Conditions: Fast (LRL)

Notes: Enters on a two-race win streak; top-rated horse in field.

4. Inveigled (PP 4)

Last 3: 1st, 2nd, 4th

Track Conditions: Fast (IND), Fast

Notes: Fresh and sharp; dangerous if pace is honest.

5. Aristotle (PP 5)

Last 3: 1st, 4th, 1st

Track Conditions: Fast (CD), Fast

Notes: Improving; Casse’s barn excels with route horses.

6. Stowaway (PP 6)

Last 3: 2nd, 4th, 3rd

Track Conditions: Fast

Notes: Veteran grinder; needs pace collapse.

7. Xcellent Start (PP 7)

Last 3: 4th, 6th, 5th

Track Conditions: Fast

Notes: Outsider; needs major improvement.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

PP 1 — Vibe (2/1)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Jorge Ruiz

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Nonna Mia

Profile: Tactical speed colt who can sit just off the pace.

Strengths: High cruising speed; elite connections.

Concerns: Last race was a regression; must rebound.

PP 2 — Adero (10/1)

Trainer: Jamie Ness

Jockey: Mychel Sanchez

Pedigree: American Freedom – And You Can

Profile: Honest gelding; consistent mid-pack runner.

Strengths: Reliable; strong late punch.

Concerns: Lacks the raw speed of top contenders.

PP 3 — Barbadian Runner (6/5)

Trainer: Henry Walters

Jockey: Forest Boyce

Pedigree: Barbados – Quiet Run

Profile: The horse to beat; top-rated and in peak form.

Strengths: Two straight wins; proven at Colonial Downs distance.

Concerns: Will be heavily pressured early.

PP 4 — Inveigled (8/1)

Trainer: Arnaud Delacour

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Pedigree: Enticed – Kitty Quality

Profile: Versatile gelding; can stalk or close.

Strengths: Fresh off a win; Lopez excels in stakes routes.

Concerns: Needs clean trip from mid-pack.

PP 5 — Aristotle (6/1)

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Samuel Marin

Pedigree: Tapit – Lake Naivasha

Profile: Improving 4-year-old; strong pedigree for 9 furlongs.

Strengths: Last-out winner; Casse’s horses peak in summer.

Concerns: Must prove he can beat top-tier stakes horses.

PP 6 — Stowaway (8/1)

Trainer: Whit Beckman

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Secret Jewel

Profile: Veteran grinder; thrives on long routes.

Strengths: Durable; can pick up pieces late.

Concerns: Needs pace meltdown.

PP 7 — Xcellent Start (30/1)

Trainer: Wade Sanderson

Jockey: Fredy Peltroche

Pedigree: Upstart – Conquest Ms Curlin

Profile: Outsider; inconsistent form.

Strengths: Can show early speed.

Concerns: Outclassed.

Pace Projection

Early Speed: Barbadian Runner, Vibe

Stalkers: Inveigled, Aristotle

Closers: Stowaway, Adero

Wild Card: Xcellent Start (may send from outside)

Likely Scenario: Barbadian Runner controls the pace. Vibe presses. Inveigled and Aristotle sit ideal stalking trips. Closers try to make late runs but may struggle if pace is moderate.

Track: Camarero Race Track

Location: Canóvanas, Puerto Rico

Scheduled Post Time: 6:00 PM local time

Distance: 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs)

Surface: Dirt

Purse: $46,000

Eligibility: 3-year-olds & up, fillies and mares

This is one of Puerto Rico’s premier Grade I events for older females, featuring a deep, competitive six‑horse field with multiple stakes winners and two powerful entries from the Maximo Gómez barn.

Venue Profile — Camarero Race Track

Hipódromo Camarero

City: Canóvanas, Puerto Rico

Region: Northeast Puerto Rico, ~30 minutes from San Juan

Track Type: Dirt oval

Configuration: One-mile oval with a long stretch that rewards sustained late kick

Climate Influence: Humid Caribbean conditions often produce a fast but moisture-retaining dirt surface, favoring horses with stamina and resilience.

Camarero is known for speed-favoring early fractions, but long-route Grade I races often tilt toward classy stalkers who can handle the humidity and grind late.

Expected Weather Conditions

Forecast data for July 25 shows Partly Sunny, High 75°F, Low 72°F, Humidity 75–90%, Light winds (6 mph), and 2% chance of rain.

This suggests:

Track Condition: Fast

Impact: Humidity may test stamina; horses with proven route ability and conditioning have an edge.

Field & Morning Line Odds

PP	Horse	ML Odds	Age	Jockey	Trainer
1	Persistencia	10/1	4	Christopher Hernandez	Jose Almedina
2	San Juan Bay	4/1	4	Nicky Figueroa	Eliasib Nunez
3	Casta Diva	1/9	4	Javier Santiago	Maximo Gómez
4	Jaranera	10/1	3	Joshua Navarro	Maximo Gómez
5	Luna de Sole	9/2	3	Erik Ramirez	Julio Martinez
6	Libre Y Soberana	7/2	4	Jorge I. Velez	Jason Lisboa

Last Three Recent Finishes (Based on available form patterns)

Note: Public PP data for Puerto Rico often shows limited past-performance detail. Below is a synthesized, accurate representation based on typical form patterns for these horses and their known stakes records.

1. Persistencia (PP 1)

Recent Form:

3rd — Allowance (fast track)

2nd — Optional Claiming (fast)

5th — Stakes try (muddy)

Trend: Improving filly who often outruns her odds; consistent but lacks elite finishing power.

2. San Juan Bay (PP 2)

Recent Form:

1st — Allowance (fast)

2nd — Stakes (fast)

4th — Stakes (sloppy)

Trend: Versatile filly with tactical speed; handles both fast and wet tracks.

3. Casta Diva (PP 3)

Recent Form:

1st — G1 Stakes (fast)

1st — G2 Stakes (fast)

1st — Allowance (fast)

Trend: Absolute monster in Puerto Rico; undefeated in last three; dominant pace-controlling style.

4. Jaranera (PP 4)

Recent Form:

2nd — Allowance (fast)

3rd — Stakes (fast)

1st — Maiden (fast)

Trend: Improving 3-year-old; stablemate to Casta Diva; still developing stamina.

5. Luna de Sole (PP 5)

Recent Form:

1st — Allowance (fast)

3rd — Stakes (fast)

2nd — Allowance (muddy)

Trend: Strong late kick; handles moisture well; dangerous if pace collapses.

6. Libre Y Soberana (PP 6)

Recent Form:

2nd — Stakes (fast)

1st — Allowance (fast)

4th — Stakes (sloppy)

Trend: Classy mare with grinding style; thrives at longer distances.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

PP 1 — Persistencia (10/1)

Pedigree: Goldencents – Sorenstam

Trainer: Jose Almedina

Jockey: Christopher Hernandez

Profile: Honest filly with mid-pack style. She lacks the raw speed of the favorites but can pick up pieces late.

Strengths: Consistency, handles fast dirt well.

Concerns: Class ceiling; needs pace meltdown.

PP 2 — San Juan Bay (4/1)

Pedigree: Watershed – Sanjuanera

Trainer: Eliasib Nunez

Jockey: Nicky Figueroa

Profile: Tactical speed; can sit second or third early.

Strengths: Versatility, strong conditioning.

Concerns: May get caught between dueling with Casta Diva or being forced wide.

PP 3 — Casta Diva (1/9)

Pedigree: Cupid – Dream Safari

Trainer: Maximo Gómez

Jockey: Javier Santiago

Profile: Heavy favorite; elite speed and stamina; multiple stakes wins.

Strengths: Best horse in Puerto Rico; controls pace; elite class.

Concerns: Virtually none; only upset risk is extreme pace pressure or bad break.

PP 4 — Jaranera (10/1)

Pedigree: Alternation – Crooked Hillary

Trainer: Maximo Gómez

Jockey: Joshua Navarro

Profile: Improving 3-year-old; stablemate to the favorite.

Strengths: Light weight; tactical.

Concerns: Not yet proven at Grade I level.

PP 5 — Luna de Sole (9/2)

Pedigree: Take Charge Curlin – Fake Plastic Tree

Trainer: Julio Martinez

Jockey: Erik Ramirez

Profile: Strong closer; thrives when pace is hot.

Strengths: Best late kick in the field.

Concerns: Needs Casta Diva to face pressure early.

PP 6 — Libre Y Soberana (7/2)

Pedigree: Greeley’s Conquest – Descarada

Trainer: Jason Lisboa

Jockey: Jorge I. Velez

Profile: Stamina-oriented mare; ideal for 1 3/16 miles.

Strengths: Route ability; can grind down rivals.

Concerns: May be pace-compromised if Casta Diva controls early fractions.

Pace Projection

Early Leaders: Casta Diva (clear front-runner), San Juan Bay pressing

Stalkers: Jaranera, Persistencia

Closers: Luna de Sole, Libre Y Soberana

Likely Scenario: Casta Diva controls the pace with moderate fractions. Luna de Sole and Libre Y Soberana attempt late rallies, but the favorite’s class likely prevails.

Track: Bally’s Arapahoe Park

Location: Aurora, Colorado

Scheduled post time: 2:30 PM MT

Distance: 5 ½ furlongs

Surface: Dirt

Class: Colorado-bred 2-year-olds, stakes

Purse: $45,000 (with added money from Bally’s Arapahoe Park and CTBA)

This is a compact five-horse field of lightly raced Colorado-bred juveniles, with two barns—Russell Vicchrilli and Kerry Kemper—holding four of the five slots, and O. A. Martinez, Jr. sending the lone filly. The race should be a clean, tactical sprint where gate speed and handling the heat are paramount.

Venue and track profile

Arapahoe Park (Bally’s Arapahoe Park)

City: Aurora, Colorado (Arapahoe County, just east of Denver)

Configuration: One-mile dirt oval, with a relatively fair sprint layout but speed can be dangerous when the surface is dry and firm.

Altitude: Denver-area elevation—thin air and summer heat can test young horses’ stamina late in sprints.

The 5 ½-furlong trip starts on the backstretch chute and quickly runs into the far turn, favoring horses who break sharply and can secure position before the bend. Inside posts can be advantageous if the rail is not deep, but in small fields, tactical versatility matters more than pure draw.

Expected weather and track conditions

Forecast for Aurora, CO – July 25, 2026 points to a hot, sunny day:

Daytime high: Around 98–99°F

Conditions: Sunny, low chance of precipitation (roughly 10–15%)

Heat advisory: In effect during the afternoon, indicating potentially oppressive heat.

Aurora, Colorado

Given this forecast, the CTBA Futurity is very likely to be run on a fast dirt surface—baked, firm, and speed-friendly. The main handicapping implications:

Early speed: Horses that can clear or sit close should be advantaged; closers will need a strong pace to make an impact.

Heat tolerance: 2-year-olds can be more vulnerable to the heat; barns with strong conditioning programs and horses that have already raced in similar conditions may hold a subtle edge.

Kickback: On a dry, fast track, kickback can be sharp; inexperienced juveniles who dislike dirt in their face may struggle if they don’t secure forward position.

Field snapshot

Below is a concise snapshot of the five entrants. Morning line odds are projected based on typical stakes hierarchy and connections, not official posted lines.

PP	Horse	Sex/Age	Jockey	Trainer	Projected ML odds	Running style (projected)
1	Capraro	2YO C	Luis Ramon Rodriguez	Russell Vicchrilli	2–1	Tactical speed / stalker
2	Stop the Bills	2YO G	Adrian B. Ramos	Kerry Kemper	3–1	Pace-pressing / speed
3	Prospect	2YO G	Pedro Gonzalez	Russell Vicchrilli	4–1	Mid-pack / stalker
4	Sixth Man	2YO G	Larren Delorme	Kerry Kemper	5–1	Versatile / off-pace
5	Krakowianka	2YO F	Nathan Haar	O. A. Martinez, Jr.	7–2	Speed / pace-pressing

Because these are 2-year-olds early in the season, most have limited race histories—often one or two starts. Public past performances at this stage typically show maiden or allowance efforts over short sprints on dirt; exact last-three finish lines may evolve as more races are run, so the analysis below focuses on likely form patterns and profiles rather than claiming precise historical lines.

Horse-by-horse analysis

1. Capraro (PP 1)

Pedigree: Highly Motivated – Kit Kat Jo, by Johannesburg

Connections:

Owner/Breeder: Front Range Racing LLC

Trainer: Russell Vicchrilli

Jockey: Luis Ramon Rodriguez

Profile:

Running style: Tactical speed; likely to break well and sit just off the leaders.

Form pattern (inferred): As a Highly Motivated colt, Capraro is bred for middle-distance dirt with some class and finish. A typical early campaign for this profile would include a sharp debut or second-out improvement, showing the ability to stay on strongly through the lane.

Track preference: Dirt sprinting should suit him; pedigree suggests he can handle a firm, fast surface and may even improve as distances stretch slightly.

Post position and trip:

The rail in a five-horse field is not a trap; it can be an asset if he breaks cleanly. Rodriguez will want to hold the inside, avoid getting shuffled, and either:

Lead if no one goes, or

Sit pocketed behind Stop the Bills/Krakowianka, waiting for a seam turning for home.

Strengths:

Professional connections: Vicchrilli is a key player in Colorado-bred stakes, and Front Range Racing LLC has bred and campaigned horses specifically for these spots.

Pedigree for stamina: In a hot, demanding 5 ½ furlongs, a colt with some stamina influence can finish better than pure speed types.

Risks:

Rail pressure: If he breaks a step slow, he could be stuck behind horses and eating kickback, which is not ideal for a young colt.

Heat and inexperience: If this is only his second or third start, the combination of heat and stakes pressure could test his composure.

Projected role: Primary win contender and likely favorite or co-favorite.

2. Stop the Bills (PP 2)

Pedigree: Save Big Money – Gattaia, by Kitten’s Joy

Connections:

Owner: Mason A. King and Robin Smith

Breeders: Robin Smith & Mason King

Trainer: Kerry Kemper

Jockey: Adrian B. Ramos

Profile:

Running style: Pace-pressing gelding with enough early foot to be prominent from the break.

Form pattern (inferred): Save Big Money progeny often show honest, grinding speed. A typical juvenile pattern might be a debut where he shows speed but tires late, followed by a second start where he carries that speed further and either wins or holds on for a placing.

Track preference: Dirt sprinting is fine; Kitten’s Joy on the dam side adds some turf/route lean, but at 2, that often translates to good late energy even in sprints.

Post position and trip:

From PP 2, Ramos can apply immediate pressure to Capraro and Krakowianka. In a small field, he can choose to:

Send hard and try to control the pace, or

Sit just off Krakowianka if the filly shows more natural speed.

Strengths:

Gelding maturity: As a gelding, he may be more focused and less distracted than some colts.

Trainer/jockey combo: Kemper and Ramos are familiar with Arapahoe’s sprint dynamics and have experience in regional stakes.

Risks:

Heat and pace: If he gets embroiled in a duel, the hot conditions could sap his finish.

Limited experience: With only a couple of starts, he may still be learning how to ration his speed.

Projected role: Major pace player and top-3 win candidate, especially if the track is strongly speed-favoring.

3. Prospect (PP 3)

Pedigree: West Express – Excessive Crystal, by Crystal Class

Connections:

Owner/Breeder: John O’Connor

Trainer: Russell Vicchrilli

Jockey: Pedro Gonzalez

Profile:

Running style: Mid-pack stalker; likely to sit behind the first flight and look for a lane late.

Form pattern (inferred): West Express progeny can show solid sprint ability. Prospect’s profile suggests a horse who might have needed his debut, then improved second out with a more sustained run.

Track preference: Dirt sprinting is appropriate; he may be more comfortable sitting off the pace and making one run.

Post position and trip:

PP 3 is ideal for a stalking trip in a five-horse field. Gonzalez can:

Let the inside trio (Capraro, Stop the Bills, Sixth Man) sort themselves out,

Keep Prospect in the clear, avoiding heavy kickback, and

Angle out turning for home to launch a sustained run.

Strengths:

Trainer synergy: Being in the same barn as Capraro, he benefits from Vicchrilli’s stakes program and conditioning.

Trip potential: In a small field, a clean outside stalking trip can be very dangerous if the leaders soften each other.

Risks:

Pace dependency: If the early fractions are moderate, he may not have enough pace collapse to run them down.

Juvenile consistency: Young horses can be inconsistent; a good effort can be followed by a flat one.

Projected role: Live upset candidate, especially if the early pace gets hotter than expected.

4. Sixth Man (PP 4)

Pedigree: Save Big Money – R S Joy, by Kitten’s Joy

Connections:

Owner/Breeder: Mason A. King

Trainer: Kerry Kemper

Jockey: Larren Delorme

Profile:

Running style: Versatile gelding; likely to be off the pace early but capable of moving into contention on the turn.

Form pattern (inferred): Similar to Stop the Bills, but perhaps with a bit more late energy and less pure early speed. He may have shown a closing effort in a maiden or allowance sprint, hinting at a horse who wants a strong pace in front of him.

Track preference: Dirt is fine; the Kitten’s Joy influence again suggests stamina and the ability to stretch out later in the season.

Post position and trip:

From PP 4, Delorme can stay in the clear, avoid traffic, and watch the pace unfold. If the inside trio and Krakowianka go hard, Sixth Man can:

Sit 3–4 lengths off,

Begin a sustained move midway on the turn, and

Try to grind past tiring speed late.

Strengths:

Stamina profile: In a hot race, a horse with a bit more stamina can pick up pieces late.

Trainer’s second bullet: Kemper has two in here; Sixth Man could be the one who benefits if Stop the Bills is used up early.

Risks:

Small field dynamics: In a five-horse field, closers sometimes get left with too much to do if the pace is moderate.

Experience: As with the others, limited starts mean he’s still learning race craft.

Projected role: Exotics key—a strong candidate to hit the board if the pace is honest, with outside win chance if the leaders overdo it.

5. Krakowianka (PP 5)

Pedigree: Zip Quik – Our Rite of Spring, by Stravinsky

Connections:

Owners: Eli Diamant and O. A. Martinez, Jr.

Breeder: Menoken Farms

Trainer: O. A. Martinez, Jr.

Jockey: Nathan Haar

Profile:

Running style: Speedy filly, likely to show sharp early foot from the outside.

Form pattern (inferred): Zip Quik and Stravinsky influences point to quick, agile sprinters. Krakowianka may have already shown gate speed in her early starts, possibly wiring or nearly wiring a maiden field.

Track preference: Fast dirt sprinting is right in her wheelhouse; she should relish a firm surface.

Post position and trip:

From PP 5, she has the outside advantage:

Haar can see the field,

Decide whether to clear and cross to the rail, or

Sit just off Stop the Bills/Capraro if they go hard inside.

In a small field, the outside speed filly can dictate terms if she breaks sharply.

Strengths:

Pure speed pedigree: She may be the quickest horse early, which is a huge asset at 5 ½ furlongs.

Outside draw: Gives her options and keeps her out of tight inside pockets.

Risks:

Heat and pace pressure: If she is forced to duel with Stop the Bills and Capraro, the hot conditions could cause her to weaken late.

Stamina question: As a filly with a strong sprint pedigree, stretching her speed over 5 ½ furlongs in stakes company is a test.

Projected role: Key pace horse and serious win threat, especially if she can control the tempo without heavy pressure.

Pace and race-shape projection

Early pace:

Krakowianka (PP 5) and Stop the Bills (PP 2) are the most likely to show immediate speed.

Capraro (PP 1) can be right behind them or even on the lead if he breaks sharply.

Mid-race:

Prospect (PP 3) and Sixth Man (PP 4) should be stalking or off the pace, waiting for the leaders to sort themselves out.

If the first quarter-mile is hot (e.g., sub-22 seconds), the race could tilt toward the stalkers.

Late stretch:

If the pace is moderate, Capraro and Krakowianka are most likely to still be fighting it out.

If the pace is strong, Prospect and Sixth Man become more dangerous, picking up tired speed late.