Churchill Downs Race 9 - Race 9 - Allowance Optional Claiming
MENDELS MATE (8) brings the strongest recent AOC form, runner-up at Keeneland over 1710m beaten 0.3L after looming to lead late, and looks ready to strike. WEST END KID (11) was dominant last start at Keeneland over 1710m, winning by 3.5L after taking over mid-race, and is a key chance despite the wide gate. FANCY SAILOR (6) progressed sharply to win a Gulfstream Park 1609m maiden, and his prior close third reads well. CLASSIC TAP (7) led throughout to win a Fair Grounds 1710m maiden and can give a sight up front. ZEUS'S ECHO (10) was 4th in the same Keeneland 1710m allowance won by Touch Of Fire, beaten 2.3L after leading, and maps to be prominent again.
Jockey: Joseph Rocco, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Back in trip after a 35-day break. Last start 5th of 11 at Keeneland over 1710m on 3 Apr, beaten 3.5L in Stakes 98 on good going after settling back from gate 6 with 53.5kg. Prior won at Laurel Park over 1106m on 27 Feb by 0.8L in Maiden Special Weight 80 at $9.50, lifting late from the rear. Draws barrier 1 and can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | 03/04/2026 | - | Stakes 98 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | GD | Jr Joseph Rocco | 53.5kg | - | 9-9-10-11 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 27/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 80 | $0.00 | Laurel Park | 1106m | FT | Jr Joseph Rocco | 56kg | - | 7-7-6 | 3 |
| 0.8L | $9.50 |
Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second two back at Fair Grounds over 1609m on 22 Jan, led and kept on when 2nd to Remember Mamba, beaten 3.3L at $8.50 with 54kg. Last start 6th of 7 at Fair Grounds over 1710m on 28 Feb, beaten 12.3L at $11 in Stakes grade after settling handy. Drops 2kg and draws barrier 2 with James Graham up again, 69 days since that run. Can feature with a soft run from the gate.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | 28/02/2026 | - | Stakes 92 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1710m | FM | James Graham | 55.5kg | - | 4-4-4-5 | 7 |
| 12.3L | $11.00 |
| 2/7 | 22/01/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 87 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1609m | FM | James Graham | 54kg | - | 1-1-1-2 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $8.50 |
| 6/9 | 03/01/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 85 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1106m | FM | Ben Curtis | 54kg | - | 5-5-6 | 8 |
| 6.5L | $4.20 |
| 5/7 | 26/11/2025 | - | Stakes 89 | $0.00 | Delta Downs | 1509m | FT | James Graham | 55.5kg | - | 6-7-6 | 7 |
| 8.5L | $7.50 |
| 12/12 | 05/10/2025 | - | Stakes 88 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Francisco Arrieta | 54.5kg | - | 2-1-2-4 | 11 |
| 7.1L | $20.00 |
| 1/6 | 06/09/2025 | - | Stakes 79 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1710m | FM | Francisco Arrieta | 54.5kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 1 |
| 2.8L | $3.90 |
| 1/8 | 25/07/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 70 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1609m | FM | Francisco Arrieta | 54kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 7 |
| 1.8L | $3.50 |
| 2/8 | 03/07/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1509m | FAST | Mitchell Murrill | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-2 | 8 |
| 2L | $4.00 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up after 215 days. Last start 5th of 12 at Keeneland over 1710m on 5 Oct, beaten 3.1L with 53.5kg at $4.75 after settling back; winner was Final Score. Won prior at Kentucky Downs over 1609m on 6 Sep by 1.3L from Thebabeslayer at $3.90. Three-year-old colt for Brad H. Cox draws barrier 3 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 216 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | 05/10/2025 | - | Stakes 88 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Flavien Prat | 53.5kg | - | 10-10-9-10 | 4 |
| 3.1L | $4.75 |
| 1/12 | 06/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 82 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1609m | GD | Flavien Prat | 54kg | - | 9-9-7-2 | 11 |
| 1.3L | $3.90 |
| 10/12 | 02/08/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FAST | Florent Geroux | 54kg | - | 7-9-10-10 | 11 |
| 31.9L | $6.00 |
| 4/11 | 29/06/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | FT | Florent Geroux | 54kg | - | 7-7-7 | 2 |
| 11L | $3.90 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up after 215 days. Last start 9th of 12 at Keeneland over 1710m on 5 Oct, beaten 5.1L on FM at $7 after settling back; winner was Final Score. Previously broke maiden at Kentucky Downs over 1308m on 7 Sep, led and scored with Jose L. Ortiz up. Three-year-old colt by Violence; draws barrier 4 with 53.5kg for Mark E. Casse. Can improve fresh and has place claims.
Last Starts 216 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 | 05/10/2025 | - | Stakes 88 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Florent Geroux | 53.5kg | - | 12-11-10-12 | 10 |
| 5.1L | $7.00 |
| 1/11 | 07/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 74 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1308m | FM | Jose L Ortiz | 54kg | - | 7-6-1 | 5 |
| 5L | $6.00 |
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 61-day break after breaking through at Gulfstream Park over 1609m on 8 Mar, settling 3rd throughout and scoring by 0.3L at $2.88 on a firm track. Prior run was a debut 3rd of 10 at Gulfstream over 1509m on 25 Jan, beaten 0.5L at $6.50 on good going after running on from back in the field. Three-year-old colt by Justify for Brian A. Lynch, now drawn barrier 6 with Brian Hernandez Jr. and drops 2kg to 53.5kg. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 62 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 08/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 90 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | Joel Rosario | 55.5kg | - | 3-3-3-3 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $2.88 |
| 3/10 | 25/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | GD | Luis Saez | 55.5kg | - | 9-9-5 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $6.50 |
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 48-day let-up after breaking through at Fair Grounds over 1710m on 21 Mar, leading throughout to score by 0.3L at $21 on a FM track. Prior run there was 8th of 11 over 1710m on 14 Feb, beaten 27.8L at $17 after racing handy. Three-start colt by Classic Empire; carries 55.5kg with Axel Concepcion from barrier 7, up 1kg and drawn wider. Can feature with a clean jump and similar early speed.
Last Starts 49 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 21/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 101 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1710m | FM | Jareth Loveberry | 54.5kg | - | 1-1-1-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $21.00 |
| 8/11 | 14/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 87 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1710m | FT | Jareth Loveberry | 54.5kg | - | 6-6-4-8 | 5 |
| 27.8L | $17.00 |
| 6/11 | 17/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 84 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | Hunter Rea | 49.700000047683716kg | - | 5-3-3 | 7 |
| 10.6L | $26.00 |
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 28-day break after a close 2nd at Keeneland over 1710m on 10 Apr, beaten 0.3L in Allowance 91 with 53.5kg, making the lead late behind Touch Of Fire. Prior run 2nd at Turfway Park over 1609m on 5 Mar, beaten 0.1L in Allowance Optional Claiming 90 at $10 after racing handy. Three-year-old colt by Mendelssohn with 1 win and 2 seconds from 5 starts; blinkers on and Ben Curtis rides from gate 8 for Joe Sharp. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 10/04/2026 | - | Allowance 91 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 53.5kg | - | 4-4-5-1 | 7 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 |
| 2/9 | 05/03/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 90 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | FT | Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 55.5kg | - | 3-3-3-2 | 2 |
| 0.1L | $10.00 |
| 1/12 | 14/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | FT | Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-2-1 | 10 |
| 1L | $9.00 |
| 10/11 | 26/12/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | FT | Adam Beschizza | 54kg | - | 5-5-8 | 6 |
| 20.4L | $5.50 |
| 4/12 | 30/11/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FM | Jose L Ortiz | 54kg | - | 7-6-6 | 2 |
| 2.8L | $7.00 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 47-day break after breaking through at Gulfstream Park over 1509m on 22 Mar, leading and scoring by 4.3L on good going at $2.38. Prior run was 5th of 10 at the same track/trip on 22 Feb, beaten 2.3L behind Sheriff Bart on firm at $2.75. Third on debut at Ellis Park over 1609m, beaten 2.25L. Drops 2kg and draws barrier 9; can feature with similar speed.
Last Starts 48 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 22/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | GD | Irad Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | - | 2-1-1 | 7 |
| 4.3L | $2.38 |
| 5/10 | 22/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | FM | Irad Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | - | 5-4-5 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $2.75 |
| 3/8 | 06/07/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FAST | Cristian A Torres | 54kg | - | 5-5-4-3 | 2 |
| 2.25L | $2.90 |
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 28-day let-up after a solid 4th at Keeneland over 1710m on 10 Apr, led early and held on, beaten 2.3L in an Allowance 91 with 53.5kg. Prior run was 5th of 7 at Oaklawn Park over 1207m on 5 Mar in AOC 88, beaten 13.3L at $6. Ran 2nd at Churchill Downs over 1207m on 1 Nov, beaten 1.5L at $14. Blinkers go on and draws barrier 10; can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 29 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 10/04/2026 | - | Allowance 91 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | - | 1-1-1-2 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $0.00 |
| 5/7 | 05/03/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 88 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | FT | Luis Saez | 52.5kg | - | 1-4-4 | 2 |
| 13.3L | $6.00 |
| 2/5 | 01/11/2025 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 89 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | FT | Sophie Doyle | 55.5kg | - | 2-3-3 | 1 |
| 1.5L | $14.00 |
| 8/8 | 05/10/2025 | - | Stakes 98 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1106m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 53.5kg | - | 3-2-6 | 7 |
| 6.6L | $19.00 |
| 9/10 | 31/08/2025 | - | Stakes 98 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1308m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | - | 4-4-8 | 1 |
| 12.6L | $9.00 |
| 1/10 | 10/08/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 3.3L | $2.45 |
| 2/9 | 13/07/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 78 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | GD | Luan Machado | 54kg | - | 2-2-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $9.00 |
| 6/10 | 20/06/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FAST | Luis Saez | 54kg | - | 6-6-7 | 11 |
| 8L | $34.00 |
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 27-day break after breaking maiden at Keeneland over 1710m on 11 Apr, leading late to score by 3.5L on firm going with 54.5kg. Prior run was a solid 4th of 12 at Gulfstream Park over 1609m on 8 Feb, beaten 1.3L at $13 after settling well back. Blinkers go on; draws barrier 11 and carries 55.5kg with Tyler Gaffalione up for William Walden. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 11/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 95 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FM | Tyler Gaffalione | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-1-1 | 5 |
| 3.5L | $0.00 |
| 4/12 | 08/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 95 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FM | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | - | 10-9-11-9 | 8 |
| 1.3L | $13.00 |