Churchill Downs Race 3 - Race 3 - Mdn Special Weight
DIRECT STRIKE (5) sets up as the one to beat after leading throughout and finishing 2nd at Churchill Downs over 2012m last start, beaten 0.5L. SILENT WAY (3) is the main danger with back‑to‑back placings, including 2nd at Churchill Downs over 1710m, beaten 2.8L. OSO DE ORO (10) was 4th at Gulfstream Park over 1609m, beaten 4L, and can be in the mix. VICTORY CORPS (1) showed speed when 3rd at Oaklawn Park over 1609m, beaten 2.4L, and profiles as another chance. MONEY MAN (6) brings a last‑start 3rd at Keeneland over 1710m, beaten 3L, and is in the mix for minors. Something for the Multiples: DIRECT STRIKE (5) MONEY MAN (6) BOURBON DREAM (9) OSO DE ORO (10)
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Back in trip after debut at Churchill Downs over 1408m on 2 May, beaten 23.3L in a Maiden Special Weight 88 behind Prize Pick. Draws barrier 2 and retains 53.5kg for William Walden, with Axel Concepcion up. Three-year-old colt by Practical Joke out of Blue Prize. Needs sharp improvement but can improve with experience.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | FT | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | - | 11-12-11 | 1 |
| 23.3L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Edgar Morales
Weight: 56.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 40-day break after finishing 4th at Keeneland over 1710m on 19 Apr, beaten 6.5L after getting back and running on late with 57kg. Prior run was a plain 7th at Turfway Park over 1207m at $26. Best recent effort was 3rd at Horseshoe Indianapolis over 1609m on 12 Nov, beaten 0.9L after closing from back in the field. Can feature with a similar finish and a softer run from barrier 4.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 19/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FT | Edgar Morales | 57kg | - | 7-7-7-5 | 5 |
| 6.5L | $0.00 |
| 7/8 | 13/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 91 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1207m | FT | Luan Machado | 56.5kg | - | 6-6-7 | 8 |
| 13.8L | $26.00 |
| 3/8 | 12/11/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 66 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1609m | FT | Walter A Rodriguez | 55.5kg | - | 5-6-6-2 | 3 |
| 0.9L | $6.50 |
| 4/10 | 27/10/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 82 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | - | 10-9-7-5 | 5 |
| 9.8L | $21.00 |
| 4/11 | 18/09/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 76 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | Luan Machado | 54kg | - | 10-10-5-5 | 11 |
| 17.3L | $13.00 |
| 3/12 | 05/08/2024 | - | MDN Optional Claiming 65 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1408m | FT | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | - | 10-7-4 | 3 |
| 2.3L | $17.00 |
| 7/10 | 19/06/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 83 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1106m | FT | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | - | 7-8-7 | 7 |
| 8.1L | $26.00 |
| 6/12 | 09/05/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 83 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FT | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | - | 11-10-8 | 5 |
| 11.3L | $17.00 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 33-day break after a close 2nd at Churchill Downs over 2012m on 26 Apr, beaten 0.5L on a fast track after leading throughout with 53.5kg. Previously 5th at Fair Grounds over 1710m on 21 Mar, beaten 4.3L at $3, with Tiernanogue again in the finish. Track record reads 2:0-1-0, and he drops 202m here from barrier 5 for Brad H. Cox with Irad Ortiz, Jr. sticking. Can feature with a controlled ride on the speed.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 26/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | FT | Irad Ortiz Jr | 53.5kg | - | 1-1-1-1-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 |
| 5/8 | 21/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1710m | FT | Flavien Prat | 54.5kg | - | 6-4-5-5 | 4 |
| 4.3L | $3.00 |
| 4/8 | 14/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | SY | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 5-6-5-4 | 8 |
| 4.3L | $3.90 |
| 5/11 | 11/08/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1408m | FAST | Tyler Gaffalione | 54kg | - | 9-9-6 | 11 |
| 3.65L | $5.00 |
Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 56.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 40-day break after a solid 3rd at Keeneland over 1710m on 19 Apr, beaten 3L behind Saugeen, making late ground. Blinkers go on and carries 56.5kg from barrier 6 for James Graham. Track record reads 3:0-0-1 at Churchill Downs. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 19/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FT | James Graham | 57kg | - | 8-8-5-3 | 7 |
| 3L | $0.00 |
| 8/10 | 21/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | FT | Irving Moncada | 55.5kg | - | 7-9-9-7 | 3 |
| 10.3L | $13.00 |
| 7/11 | 03/12/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 96 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 2012m | FT | Victor R Carrasco | 55kg | - | 7-6-6-5-7 | 11 |
| 9.3L | $18.00 |
| 5/7 | 20/11/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 93 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | MY | Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr | 55kg | - | 3-3-3-4 | 5 |
| 12.1L | $11.00 |
| 7/12 | 22/10/2025 | - | 3U | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1609m | FAST | James Graham | 54.5kg | - | 12-12-10-8 | 7 |
| 5.6L | $21.00 |
| 3/12 | 25/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 94 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Lanfranco Dettori | 54.5kg | - | 12-9-7-3 | 2 |
| 5L | $21.00 |
| 3/11 | 22/08/2025 | - | 3U | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FAST | Gabriel Saez | 53.5kg | - | 10-9-6-4 | 6 |
| 2.75L | $20.00 |
| 3/7 | 13/07/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FT | Gabriel Saez | 53.5kg | - | 7-6-4-3 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $26.00 |
| 5/11 | 24/05/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 89 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FT | Gabriel Saez | 53.5kg | - | 9-11-9-8 | 7 |
| 11.3L | $71.00 |
| 5/11 | 22/03/2025 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | FAST | Declan Cannon | 54.5kg | - | 11-11-10-8 | 9 |
| 6.25L | $34.00 |
| 5/11 | 22/02/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 83 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1308m | FT | Declan Cannon | 54.5kg | - | 10-8-4 | 11 |
| 3.4L | $41.00 |
| 10/11 | 25/10/2024 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1308m | FT | Rafael Bejarano | 54kg | - | 11-11-10 | 9 |
| 31.3L | $31.00 |
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up after a 27-day break. Last start 4th of 12 at Churchill Downs over 1408m on 2 May, beaten 9.5L on FT, from barrier 12 for J. J. Hernandez in a Maiden Special Weight 88 behind Prize Pick. Drops five barriers to gate 7 here; John R. Velazquez takes over for Michael W. McCarthy at 53.5kg. Can improve with the better draw and added experience.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 53.5kg | - | 8-5-4 | 12 |
| 9.5L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Three-year-old colt for Nicholas Vaccarezza with blinkers on. Last start 9th of 9 at Keeneland over 1408m on 19 Apr, beaten 33.5L on FT, with 54.5kg after settling back. Drops 1kg and draws barrier 8 under Junior Alvarado. Needs sharp improvement but can improve with added headgear.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/9 | 19/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 95 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1408m | FT | Mario Gutierrez | 54.5kg | - | 7-9-9 | 4 |
| 33.5L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up effort at Gulfstream Park on 28 Mar was strong, 2nd over 1609m in MSW 87, beaten 1.0L by Sovereign Law at $29 after racing handy with 55.5kg. Last start at Churchill Downs on 2 May he faded to 6th of 8 over 1710m in MSW 90, beaten 10.3L on FT with 53.5kg after settling 4th. Blinkers go on and he draws barrier 9 with Jose L. Ortiz up for Fausto Gutierrez. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 90 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Mario Gutierrez | 53.5kg | - | 4-4-4-6 | 7 |
| 10.3L | $0.00 |
| 2/8 | 28/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 87 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FT | Mario Gutierrez | 55.5kg | - | 2-4-2-2 | 7 |
| 1L | $29.00 |
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 41-day break after a solid 4th at Gulfstream Park over 1609m on 18 Apr, beaten 4L in MSW, racing on speed. Prior start 7th over 1207m there on 28 Feb at $19, well beaten. Blinkers go on, drops 2kg and nudges up in trip. Can improve with the right run.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | 18/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FT | Miguel Angel Vasquez | 55.5kg | - | 4-4-2-2 | 8 |
| 4L | $0.00 |
| 7/10 | 28/02/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1207m | FAST | Tyler Gaffalione | 55.5kg | - | 4-6-8 | 2 |
| 15.25L | $19.00 |