Churchill Downs Race 9 - Race 9 - Allowance Optional Claiming
GUN RANGE (2) impressed on debut at Keeneland over 1207m, controlling late to score by 5L, and looks ready for 1609m from a soft draw. WESTERN WARRIOR (3) brings solid form, having won by 7L at Oaklawn over 1609m before a credible 4th in a 1811m stakes. MEMORY (6) took a Santa Anita 1609m maiden then was handy throughout when 6th in a Churchill Downs AOC over 1710m. LIGHTER (1) thrashed a small field at Horseshoe Indianapolis by 7.5L on debut and can measure up. NOBLE AFFAIR (8) has placed in stronger company, including a close 2nd at Oaklawn over 1207m before a Churchill Downs AOC 3rd over 1308m.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returned with a dominant win at Horseshoe Indianapolis over 1207m on 6 May, drawing clear by 7.5L in a Maiden Special Weight 80 under 55.5kg after improving from midfield. Steps up 402m and drops 2kg, with Tyler Gaffalione taking over from Jr Marcelino Pedroza. Draws barrier 1 for Rodolphe Brisset and remains lightly raced with upside. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 06/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 80 | $0.00 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | 1207m | GD | Jr Marcelino Pedroza | 55.5kg | - | 5-3-1 | 5 |
| 7.5L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up when winning at Oaklawn Park over 1609m on 26 Mar by 7L at $2.10 after improving from midfield. Followed with a 4th of 8 at Oaklawn Park over 1811m on 18 Apr, beaten 4L by Crupper, with 55kg after racing handy. Now back in trip and drops to 53.5kg from barrier 3 with Jose L. Ortiz for Mark E. Casse. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 43 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 | 18/04/2026 | - | Stakes 92 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1811m | FT | Ramon A Vazquez | 55kg | - | 3-4-3-3 | 2 |
| 4L | $0.00 |
| 1/7 | 26/03/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | FAST | Ramon A Vazquez | 56kg | - | 5-3-2-1 | 4 |
| 7L | $2.10 |
| 1/9 | 26/02/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | FAST | Ramon A Vazquez | 55.5kg | - | 8-7-7-4 | 9 |
| 2.5L | $4.40 |
| 1/12 | 02/01/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 67 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1710m | FT | Ramon A Vazquez | 55.5kg | - | 2-2-1-1 | 9 |
| 8L | $3.90 |
| 4/6 | 26/09/2025 | - | MDN Claiming 67 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Jose L Ortiz | 54kg | - | 1-1-1-3 | 3 |
| 12.9L | $2.90 |
| 9/12 | 31/08/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 77 | $0.00 | Kentucky Downs | 1609m | FM | Axel Concepcion | 54kg | - | 3-4-3-9 | 12 |
| 14.8L | $10.00 |
| 8/12 | 02/08/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FAST | Cristian A Torres | 54kg | - | 11-11-8-8 | 14 |
| 19.4L | $34.00 |
| 9/11 | 04/07/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1106m | FAST | Cristian A Torres | 54kg | - | 8-8-9 | 1 |
| 9.5L | $6.00 |
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-up after 208 days. Last start won at Aqueduct over 1609m on 2 Nov by 3L on FT, $1.75, sitting handy before taking over, defeating Hadrian's Wall. Prior run 2nd at Aqueduct over 1609m on 27 Sep, beaten 1L by Igniter at $11. Three-year-old colt by Into Mischief; Irad Ortiz Jr rides for Brad H. Cox from barrier 4 with 53.5kg. Can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 210 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 02/11/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 83 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1609m | FT | Flavien Prat | 54kg | - | 2-2-1-1 | 5 |
| 3L | $1.75 |
| 2/8 | 27/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1609m | FT | Flavien Prat | 54kg | - | 2-4-4-3 | 7 |
| 1L | $11.00 |
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 27-day turnaround after racing on speed and finishing 6th of 11 at Churchill Downs over 1710m on 2 May, beaten 2.6L with 54.5kg. Previously broke maiden at Santa Anita over 1609m on 2 Apr by 0.8L after tracking the pace. Three-start 3YO colt by Uncle Mo for Bob Baffert; unbeaten at the mile from one try. Can feature with a similar trip.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/11 | 02/05/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 93 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Flavien Prat | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-2-2 | 4 |
| 2.6L | $0.00 |
| 1/6 | 02/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 92 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1609m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 54kg | - | 2-3-2-1 | 2 |
| 0.8L | $0.00 |
| 7/9 | 07/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 92 | $0.00 | Santa Anita | 1308m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 55.5kg | - | 8-8-7 | 8 |
| 12.8L | $3.40 |
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Has been around the mark with three placings in his last five. Last start 5th of 5 at Aqueduct over 1609m on 25 Apr, beaten 10.3L in Stakes 92 with 54.5kg after racing back. Prior run 3rd at Aqueduct over 1609m on 29 Mar at $4.20, beaten 12.25L, and earlier a close 3rd over 1207m in Stakes 86 when $17. Drops 1kg and draws barrier 7; can feature with a cleaner trip.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 25/04/2026 | - | Stakes 92 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1609m | FM | Christopher Elliott | 54.5kg | - | 4-4-5-5 | 4 |
| 10.3L | $0.00 |
| 3/5 | 29/03/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1609m | FAST | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | - | 5-5-4-3 | 3 |
| 12.25L | $4.20 |
| 3/5 | 14/03/2026 | - | Stakes 86 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1207m | FT | Christopher Elliott | 54kg | - | 5-5-5 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $17.00 |
| 2/7 | 11/02/2026 | - | 03 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1408m | FAST | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | - | 7-7-3 | 3 |
| 4.25L | $23.00 |
| 2/7 | 21/11/2025 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 84 | $0.00 | Laurel Park | 1207m | GD | Martin Chuan | 54kg | - | 7-6-5 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $2.20 |
| 2/7 | 26/10/2025 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 84 | $0.00 | Laurel Park | 1106m | FT | Daniel Centeno | 54kg | - | 5-5-2 | 7 |
| 1.5L | $3.90 |
| 5/9 | 27/09/2025 | - | Stakes 84 | $0.00 | Laurel Park | 1710m | FM | Horacio Karamanos | 55.5kg | - | 6-7-7-7 | 3 |
| 6L | $21.00 |
| 3/6 | 14/08/2025 | - | Stakes 90 | $0.00 | Delaware Park | 1207m | GD | Gabriel Maldonado | 53kg | - | 6-5-3 | 2 |
| 2.8L | $26.00 |
| 1/6 | 19/06/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 70 | $0.00 | Delaware Park | 1006m | FT | Gabriel Maldonado | 54kg | - | 5-4-3 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $9.00 |
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second two runs back at Oaklawn Park over 1207m on 28 Mar, beaten 0.3L by Two Seven O after racing on speed at $1.65. Last start 3rd of 10 at Churchill Downs over 1308m on 2 May, beaten 8L in Allowance Optional Claiming 96 with 53.5kg on FT, sitting handy throughout. Three-year-old colt for Steven M. Asmussen with Florent Geroux retains the ride; consistent profile with 1-1-2 from 4. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 02/05/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 96 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1308m | FT | Florent Geroux | 53.5kg | - | 3-3-3 | 10 |
| 8L | $0.00 |
| 2/7 | 28/03/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 87 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | FT | Irad Ortiz Jr | 55kg | - | 3-2-1 | 6 |
| 0.3L | $1.65 |
| 1/8 | 24/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | James Graham | 54.5kg | - | 1-1-1 | 7 |
| 0.5L | $3.80 |
| 3/9 | 27/12/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 87 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1106m | FM | James Graham | 54.5kg | - | 8-8-6 | 5 |
| 0.9L | $4.80 |
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 36-day break after breaking through at Oaklawn Park over 1609m on 23 Apr, edging clear by 0.1L on a FT track with 55kg. Prior runs were consistent seconds at Oaklawn over 1207m, including 28 Mar when runner-up to Dawn At Normandy at $2.90. The 3yo colt is 1/1 at the mile and sticks with Rafael Bejarano for Ron Moquett. Can feature with the right run from barrier 9.
Last Starts 38 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 | 23/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1609m | FT | Rafael Bejarano | 55kg | - | 5-5-5-4 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |
| 2/6 | 28/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 82 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | FT | Irad Ortiz Jr | 54kg | - | 5-4-2 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $2.90 |
| 2/8 | 19/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | FT | Evin A Roman | 55kg | - | 8-6-5 | 5 |
| 4.5L | $6.00 |
| 2/10 | 03/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | FT | Evin A Roman | 55kg | - | 6-6-5 | 8 |
| 4L | $17.00 |
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 48-day break after finishing 4th at Keeneland over 1710m on 11 Apr, beaten 7L in a Stakes 96 after settling back and improving late with 56kg. Prior run was a close 2nd at Colonial Downs over 1609m on 12 Mar in AOC 89, beaten 0.3L at $4.33 after racing handy. Three placings from eight overall and two seconds at 1609m indicate he’s around the mark. Can feature with the right run from barrier 10 under 53.5kg for Michael J. Maker and Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
Last Starts 50 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 11/04/2026 | - | Stakes 96 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1710m | FT | Juan J Hernandez | 56kg | - | 8-8-6-5 | 9 |
| 7L | $0.00 |
| 2/6 | 12/03/2026 | - | Allowance Optional Claiming 89 | $0.00 | Colonial Downs | 1609m | GD | Mychel J Sanchez | 54.5kg | - | 2-2-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $4.33 |
| 7/8 | 17/01/2026 | - | Stakes 91 | $0.00 | Turfway Park | 1609m | FT | Walter A Rodriguez | 53.5kg | - | 6-7-6-7 | 6 |
| 19L | $9.00 |
| 7/11 | 06/12/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Aqueduct | 1811m | FAST | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | - | 6-7-8-6 | 3 |
| 13.35L | $17.00 |
| 4/7 | 26/10/2025 | - | Stakes 91 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | FT | Irad Ortiz Jr | 55.5kg | - | 5-5-3-4 | 6 |
| 4.1L | $9.00 |
| 1/8 | 14/09/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | SY | Irad Ortiz Jr | 54kg | - | 2-2-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $2.10 |
| 2/12 | 02/08/2025 | - | 02 | $0.00 | Ellis Park | 1609m | FAST | Gabriel Saez | 54kg | - | 4-3-4-2 | 2 |
| 9.75L | $22.00 |
| 5/11 | 29/06/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | FT | Junior Alvarado | 54kg | - | 6-4-4 | 9 |
| 12.5L | $10.00 |
Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 53.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 27-day break after breaking through at Churchill Downs over 1408m on 2 May, led throughout to score by 4.3L with 53.5kg. Prior run was 5th at Keeneland over 1609m on 3 Apr, beaten 5.4L after racing handy. Track record reads well at Churchill Downs (2:1-1-0). Luis Saez rides for Brian A. Lynch; can feature with a repeat of last start.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | FT | Joel Rosario | 53.5kg | - | 1-1-1 | 5 |
| 4.3L | $0.00 |
| 5/12 | 03/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 96 | $0.00 | Keeneland | 1609m | GD | Joel Rosario | 54.5kg | - | 3-3-3-3 | 1 |
| 5.4L | $0.00 |
| 3/10 | 22/02/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 86 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1509m | FM | Joe Bravo | 55.5kg | - | 3-3-2 | 10 |
| 1L | $5.00 |
| 4/6 | 25/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 88 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1207m | FT | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | - | 5-4-3 | 4 |
| 2.8L | $9.50 |
| 5/5 | 27/12/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 79 | $0.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | FT | John R Velazquez | 54.5kg | - | 1-1-1-3 | 5 |
| 11.3L | $3.20 |
| 2/12 | 14/11/2025 | - | MDN Special Weight 85 | $0.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | FT | Luis Saez | 54kg | - | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 2L | $4.50 |