The road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) goes through Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots Jan. 18 when eight fillies take aim at the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs in the Silverbulletday Stakes.
A trio of 3-year-olds from some of the top sires enter the one-mile, 70-yard challenge on the main track with a chance to improve their record to a perfect 2-for-2 and fast-track their path to the Oaks. The top five finishers will earn points.
Trainer Kenny McPeek, who won last year's Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna, brings three of his finest fillies. Gowells Delight broke her maiden at Fair Grounds the day after Christmas. The daughter of Practical Joke went 1 1/16 miles, besting her closest rival by 5 1/2 lengths.
Another of McPeek's charges, Golden Gamble, comes in at 1-1-1 from three starts and has Brian Hernandez Jr., in the irons. Hernandez guided Thorpedo Anna to wins in the Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), among others.
McPeek's third runner is She's a Swede, who broke her maiden last time out, her third career start.
Looking to get her second win in as many starts is the daughter of six-time leading sire Into Mischief . The Juddmonte homebred is trained by Brad Cox. She is a half sister to champion Idiomatic and is returning after winning a Nov. 30 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs.
Also heading into Saturday's race perfect after one start is Simply Joking, a daughter of Practical Joke. She will run on familiar ground, having won the Letellier Memorial Stakes by a neck at Fair Grounds Dec. 21.
Entries: Fasig-Tipton Silverbulletday S.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, January 18, 2025, Race 9
- STK
- 1m 70y
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 4:00 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Chasten (KY) | Florent Geroux | 122 | Brad H. Cox | 4/1 |
| 2 | 2Golden Gamble (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Simply Joking (PA) | Jaime A. Torres | 122 | D. Whitworth Beckman | 3/1 |
| 4 | 4Drexel Hill (KY) | Ben Curtis | 122 | D. Whitworth Beckman | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5California Sunset (KY) | Joel Rosario | 122 | Brad H. Cox | 5/1 |
| 6 | 6Gowells Delight (KY) | Colby J. Hernandez | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7She's a Swede (KY) | Luis Saez | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 8/1 |
| 8 | 8Bless the Broken (KY) | Axel Concepcion | 122 | William Walden | 10/1 |
