Churchill Downs Race 9

Open Mind S. Stakes

Stake: $509,175

TAXED (2) ran below expectations last time in stakes class at Ellis Park (Dirt) over 1609m, finishing fourth and beaten 3.5 lengths. Has the pace to be in a prominent position from the outset. Best form puts her right in this. IMPEL (6) lines up for the hat-trick after registering a strong win last time over 1609m at Listed level at Ellis Park (Dirt), scoring by a nose. Florent Geroux has been the pilot at her last two wins. Should be in the finish. POSITANO SUNSET (4) returns after a spell of four-and-a-half months. Looking to emulate her win at Tampa Bay Downs when returning from a spell last prep. Has found a suitable race and is worth including. LITTLE PRANKSTER (3) dug deep to win by half a length two runs back at this track (Dirt) then finished eighth over 1207m in the G2 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga (Dirt) last time. Will find this easier. Has never been out of the money in four starts here, including a win. Worth considering.

Distance: 1308m
Track: Good
Weather: -
Surface: Dirt
Class: HCP

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Gray Lightning (1) 113x342931
Trainer: Armando Hernandez(USA)
Jockey: Orlando Mojica
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $298,499
Win / Place: 36% / 81%

4 yo Grey/Roan Filly

Sire: SOCIAL INCLUSION (USA)

Dam: FAIRY GRAY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Cat Thief

100

Rating

Stats

Career

11: 4-2-3

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

6: 1-1-2

1st Up

3: 2-0-1

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 0-1-1

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

11: 4-2-3

Anti-Clockwise

11: 4-2-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-1-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1408m

Comments

Comes here off a 37-day let-up. Last start favourite; won by 4 len at Hawthorne August 7 over 1106m defeating Mary's Boon carrying 55.5kg at $1.50. The run before that 3rd of 7 at Hawthorne in LR on July 27 over 1106m, 2.5 len behind Rich City Girl with 54kg at $5.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	7/8/25	Hawthorne	1106m	ALLOW OCLM F	5	O Mojica	55.5kg	Fast	1:03.45	62.8 km/h	4.0L	6-2	$1.50f	11	$55,069	$33,041	1. Gray Lightning 2. Mary's Boon 3. Sally's Suprise
3rd of 7	27/7/25	Hawthorne	1106m	LR OPEN FM 3	5	Emmanuel Esquivel	54kg	Fast	1:03.52	62.7 km/h	2.6L	5-3	$5.00	36	$169,725	$16,973	1. Rich City Girl 2. Shezafunkydrummer 3. Gray Lightning
36 Day Freshen-Up
9th of 9	21/6/25	Churchill Downs	1408m	G2 OPEN FM 4	3	Jaime A Torres	53.5kg	Fast	1:20.89	62.7 km/h	14.3L	1-6	$63	34	$517,885	$4,316	1. Vahva 2. Claret Beret 3. Zeitlos
34 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 6	18/5/25	Hawthorne	1207m	LR OPEN FM 3	3	O Mojica	54kg	Fast	1:10.62	61.5 km/h	0.1L	1-1	$4.30	17	$86,719	$17,344	1. Oeuvre 2. Gray Lightning 3. Beehive
4th of 10	1/5/25	Oaklawn Park	1207m	LR OPEN FM 4	6	Francisco Arrieta	54kg	Fast	1:10.16	61.9 km/h	5.0L	3-4	$4.90f	17	$251,484	$13,203	1. Mischievous Gal 2. Dashingly 3. Absinthe
3rd of 6	14/4/25	Will Rogers Downs	1207m	LR OPEN FM 3	1	Francisco Arrieta	56kg	Fast	1:12.70	59.8 km/h	2.5L	2-1	$1.90f	312	$88,658	$9,735	1. Palacein 2. Take Me Serious 3. Gray Lightning
312 Day Spell

Taxed (2) 5x32331234
Trainer: R L Morse(USA)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $1,937,574
Win / Place: 20% / 64%

5 yo Grey/Roan Mare

Sire: COLLECTED (USA)

Dam: YANKEE UNION (USA)

Dam's Sire: Yankee Gentleman

Rating

Stats

Career

25: 5-5-6

Track

9: 2-1-4

Season

6: 1-1-3

1st Up

3: 1-0-1

2nd Up

3: 0-1-0

3rd Up

3: 2-0-1

4th Up

3: 0-0-2

Dirt

25: 5-5-6

Anti-Clockwise

25: 5-5-6

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Comments

Racing well recently. Comes here off a 34-day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 7 at Ellis Park in LR on August 10 over 1609m, 3.5 len behind Impel with 55.5kg at $4.25. The race before that 3rd in a small field at this track in the G2 Fleur de Lis Stakes on June 28 over 1811m, 7 len behind Thorpedo Anna with 54kg at $15.16.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 7	10/8/25	Ellis Park	1609m	LR OPEN FM 3	6	Rafael Bejarano	55.5kg	Fast	1:37.63	59.3 km/h	3.4L	5-2	$4.25	43	$344,187	$17,037	1. Impel 2. Regaled 3. Alpine Princess
43 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 5	28/6/25	Churchill Downs	1811m	G2 OPEN FM 4	5	Rafael Bejarano	54kg	Fast	1:48.52	60.1 km/h	7.3L	3-3	$15	57	$863,142	$86,314	1. Thorpedo Anna 2. Royal Spa 3. Taxed
57 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 7	2/5/25	Churchill Downs	1710m	G1 OPEN FM 4	6	Rafael Bejarano	56kg	Fast	1:42.91	59.8 km/h	0.8L	6-3	$32	54	$1,734,375	$340,631	1. Raging Sea 2. Taxed 3. Randomized
54 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 8	9/3/25	Oaklawn Park	1207m	ALLOW FM 4U	3	Cristian Mauricio Torres	53kg	Good	1:10.60	61.5 km/h	0.3L	8-4	$3.40f	36	$233,403	$140,042	1. Taxed 2. Holly Dolly 3. American Band
36 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 6	1/2/25	Oaklawn Park	1207m	LR OPEN FM 4	5	Cristian Mauricio Torres	53kg	Fast	1:12.06	60.3 km/h	1.5L	6-3	$3.90	13	$268,548	$26,184	1. Benedetta 2. Fibber 3. Taxed
3rd of 7	19/1/25	Oaklawn Park	1710m	LR OPEN FM 4	4	Ricardo Santana Jr	55.5kg	Fast	1:45.44	58.4 km/h	2.8L	1-2	$3.60	36	$268,548	$25,512	1. Corningstone 2. Indy Label 3. Taxed
36 Day Freshen-Up

Little Prankster (3) 221112x618
Trainer: Philip A Bauer()
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $701,720
Win / Place: 40% / 80%

5 yo Dark Bay/Brown Mare

Sire: PRACTICAL JOKE (USA)

Dam: GOOD GRAMMAR (USA)

Dam's Sire: Exchange Rate

Rating

Stats

Career

10: 4-4-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Track

4: 1-3-0

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 0-1-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

9: 4-4-0

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

10: 4-4-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 1-0-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1207m

Comments

Comes here off a 55-day let-up. Last start ran last of 8 at Saratoga in the G2 Honorable Miss Handicap on July 20 over 1207m, 18 len behind Halina's Forte carrying 54.5kg at $18.80. Before that won by 0.5 len at this track June 27 over 1207m defeating Asternia with 55kg at $6.09.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 8	20/7/25	Saratoga	1207m	G2 OPEN FM 4	5	Junior Alvarado	54.5kg	SP	1:09.87	62.2 km/h	18.0L	6-8	$19	23	$339,449	$3,394	1. Halina's Forte 2. R Disaster 3. Scylla
1st of 9	27/6/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	ALLOW OCLM F	6	Jose Ortiz	55kg	Fast	1:09.50	62.5 km/h	0.5L	3-1	$6.09	35	$243,406	$140,264	1. Little Prankster 2. Asternia 3. Almostgone Rocket
35 Day Freshen-Up
6th of 10	23/5/25	Churchill Downs	1106m	ALLOW OCLM F	5	Florent Geroux	55kg	FM	1:01.22	65.0 km/h	9.1L	9-9	$10	559	$244,546	$2,753	1. Run For The Hills 2. Paynt Ya Later 3. Crown Imperial
559 Day Spell
2nd of 6	11/11/23	Churchill Downs	1207m	LR OPEN FM 3	4	John R Velazquez	54.5kg	Fast	1:09.97	62.1 km/h	2.0L	6-2	$2.71	30	$523,585	$103,844	1. Wicked Halo 2. Little Prankster 3. Last Leaf
1st of 7	12/10/23	Keeneland	1207m	ALLOW OCLM F	6	Tyler Gaffalione	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.28	61.8 km/h	4.5L	6-1	$1.93f	43	$206,512	$124,836	1. Little Prankster 2. Miss Arlington 3. Lover Girl
43 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 5	30/8/23	Saratoga	1308m	ALLOW FM 3U	3	Tyler Gaffalione	54.5kg	Good	1:15.91	62.0 km/h	0.1L	4-1	$2.85	31	$248,420	$105,101	1. Little Prankster 2. Mongolian Panther 3. Cupid's Heart
31 Day Freshen-Up

Positano Sunset (4) x4225x116x
Trainer: Ian R Wilkes()
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $1,496,892
Win / Place: 29% / 52%

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: GOLDENCENTS (USA)

Dam: GIGGLIN' GAL (USA)

Dam's Sire: Consolidator

Rating

Stats

Career

17: 5-4-0

Distance

4: 2-1-0

Trk/Dst

3: 1-1-0

Track

8: 1-2-0

Season

3: 2-0-0

1st Up

6: 2-0-0

2nd Up

5: 1-2-0

3rd Up

5: 2-2-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

17: 5-4-0

Anti-Clockwise

17: 5-4-0

Jockey Stats

Horse

15: 3-4-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1408m

Comments

Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 10 at this track in the G1 Derby City Distaff Stakes May 3 over 1408m, 11 len behind Kopion carrying 56kg at $17.70. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.0 len Tampa Bay Downs March 9 over 1408m defeating Dream Concert with 54kg at $3.10.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 10	3/5/25	Churchill Downs	1408m	G1 OPEN FM 4	8	J R Leparoux	56kg	SP	1:21.76	62.0 km/h	11.0L	4-8	$18	25	$1,734,375	$16,304	1. Kopion 2. Hope Road 3. Ways And Means
1st of 6	8/4/25	Keeneland	1408m	G1 OPEN FM 4	1	J R Leparoux	56kg	Fast	1:23.39	60.8 km/h	1.0L	5-3	$15	30	$1,152,556	$705,654	1. Positano Sunset 2. Emery 3. My Mane Squeeze
1st of 7	9/3/25	Tampa Bay Downs	1408m	ALLOW FM 4U	7	P Morales	54kg	Fast	1:21.81	62.0 km/h	1.0L	4-2	$3.10	106	$89,085	$42,761	1. Positano Sunset 2. Dream Concert 3. Drifaros
106 Day Spell
5th of 8	23/11/24	Churchill Downs	1609m	G3 OPEN FM 3	6	J R Leparoux	55kg	Fast	1:34.40	61.4 km/h	12.8L	2-5	$6.23	29	$506,849	$14,825	1. Two Sharp 2. Royal Spa 3. Taxed
2nd of 6	25/10/24	Keeneland	1710m	ALLOW OCLM F	1	J R Leparoux	55.5kg	Fast	1:44.70	58.8 km/h	0.3L	1-1	$1.85f	41	$208,526	$41,184	1. Bru Na Boinne 2. Positano Sunset 3. Take A Stand
41 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 6	14/9/24	Churchill Downs	1308m	LR OPEN FM 3	3	J R Leparoux	54.5kg	Fast	1:16.87	61.3 km/h	1.8L	3-4	$2.96	21	$489,705	$97,125	1. Zeitlos 2. Positano Sunset 3. Happy Am I

Mink's Palace (5) 415x7x1562
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally(USA)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $748,463
Win / Place: 33% / 58%

Jockey / Horse Combo

4 yo Bay Filly

Sire: PALACE MALICE (USA)

Dam: SCATTERING MINK (USA)

Dam's Sire: Scat Daddy

Rating

Stats

Career

12: 4-2-1

Distance

2: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

2: 1-1-0

Track

8: 4-1-1

Season

4: 1-1-0

1st Up

4: 2-1-0

2nd Up

2: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-1-0

Dirt

12: 4-2-1

Anti-Clockwise

12: 4-2-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

6: 3-1-1

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1408m

Comments

Comes here off a 54-day let-up. Most recently 2nd of 7 at Ellis Park in LR on July 21 over 1207m, 1.0 len behind Asternia carrying 56kg at $5.15. Before that 6th of 9 at this track in the G2 Chicago Handicap on June 21 over 1408m, 11 len behind Vahva carrying 54.5kg at $64.24. Thereabouts last time out.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 7	21/7/25	Ellis Park	1207m	LR OPEN FM 3	4	Luan Machado	56kg	SP	1:10.26	61.8 km/h	1.0L	6-6	$5.15	30	$254,587	$50,239	1. Asternia 2. Mink's Palace 3. Tapit Quick
6th of 9	21/6/25	Churchill Downs	1408m	G2 OPEN FM 4	2	Ben Curtis	54.5kg	Fast	1:20.89	62.7 km/h	11.0L	6-8	$64	26	$517,885	$4,747	1. Vahva 2. Claret Beret 3. Zeitlos
5th of 7	26/5/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	G3 OPEN FM 4	6	Jose Ortiz	53.5kg	Fast	1:08.75	63.2 km/h	9.0L	1-5	$8.93	30	$433,594	$12,799	1. Two Sharp 2. Benedetta 3. Hope Road
1st of 7	26/4/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	LR OPEN FM 4	7	Luis Saez	53.5kg	Fast	1:09.41	62.6 km/h	0.5L	1-1	$5.03	125	$354,633	$214,801	1. Mink's Palace 2. Tripolina 3. Harbor Springs
125 Day Spell
7th of 9	22/12/24	Oaklawn Park	1207m	ALLOW OCLM F	7	Cristian Mauricio Torres	53.5kg	Fast	1:10.02	62.1 km/h	14.5L	5-7	$4.40	64	$227,473	$2,274	1. Haulin Ice 2. Tripolina 3. Tanya Showers
64 Day Spell
5th of 10	19/10/24	Keeneland	1408m	G2 OPEN F 3	7	Jose Ortiz	53.5kg	Fast	1:23.21	60.9 km/h	9.1L	6-5	$11	34	$561,416	$15,789	1. Emery 2. My Mane Squeeze 3. Fibber
34 Day Freshen-Up

Impel (6) 32x32x4511
Trainer: B H Cox(USA)
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 54.5kg
Prize Money: $949,644
Win / Place: 40% / 80%

Jockey / Horse Combo

Going for the Hat-Trick

4 yo Bay Filly

Sire: QUALITY ROAD (USA)

Dam: YOUR LOVE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Flatter

Rating

Stats

Career

10: 4-2-2

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Track

3: 1-1-0

Season

4: 2-0-0

1st Up

3: 1-0-1

2nd Up

3: 1-1-0

3rd Up

2: 1-0-1

4th Up

2: 1-1-0

Dirt

10: 4-2-2

Anti-Clockwise

10: 4-2-2

Jockey Stats

Horse

7: 3-1-2

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m - 1811m

Comments

Chasing a hat-trick. Comes here off a 34-day let-up. Last start won by a nose at Ellis Park LR August 10 over 1609m defeating Regaled with 55.5kg at $6.31. Before that won by 1.5 len at this track June 22 over 1609m defeating Sudden Switch carrying 55kg at $2.72.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	10/8/25	Ellis Park	1609m	LR OPEN FM 3	7	Florent Geroux	55.5kg	Fast	1:37.63	59.3 km/h	0.1L	6-1	$6.31	49	$344,187	$207,820	1. Impel 2. Regaled 3. Alpine Princess
49 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 5	22/6/25	Churchill Downs	1609m	ALLOW OCLM F	1	Florent Geroux	55kg	Fast	1:35.13	60.9 km/h	1.5L	5-3	$2.72	35	$231,322	$133,386	1. Impel 2. Sudden Switch 3. Foreseen
35 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 8	18/5/25	Churchill Downs	1811m	ALLOW OCLM F	6	Florent Geroux	55.5kg	Fast	1:49.20	59.7 km/h	1.1L	3-1	$3.56	35	$232,406	$6,972	1. Windy Walk 2. Sultry Lass 3. Ba Dee Yah
35 Day Freshen-Up
4th of 7	13/4/25	Keeneland	1308m	ALLOW OCLM F	1	Flavien Prat	53.5kg	Fast	1:17.69	60.6 km/h	4.8L	6-2	$2.08f	232	$230,511	$11,239	1. Easy Red 2. Sing A Little Song 3. Miss Enchanted
232 Day Spell
2nd of 6	24/8/24	Parx	1673m	LR OPEN F 3	4	Eric Cancel	55.5kg	Fast	1:44.22	57.8 km/h	2.5L	3-2	$2.50f	49	$341,014	$67,691	1. Gun Song 2. Impel 3. Wonder Ride
49 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 6	6/7/24	Indiana Downs	1710m	G3 OPEN F 3	5	Florent Geroux	55kg	Fast	1:42.93	59.8 km/h	0.6L	2-4	$1.30f	64	$333,835	$36,355	1. Chatalas 2. Little Jamie 3. Impel
64 Day Spell

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