The $200.000 CC Jewel Stakes takes center stage at Churchill Downs on November 15, 2025, offering a competitive 1 1/8-mile test on the main dirt track for three-year-olds and upward. This restricted stakes event carries additional requirements, limiting the field to horses that have started for a claiming price of $35.000 or less since January 1, 2024. The weight conditions favor younger runners, with three-year-olds carrying 122 pounds while their older rivals shoulder 124 pounds, though recent graded and stakes winners face weight penalties up to six pounds. The race has attracted a diverse field of nine runners, each hoping to capture their most significant victory of the season.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Fire Chase brings the most accomplished resume to this affair for Mb Stables with regular rider Iván Ortiz Jr. (5/2 odds) in the irons. This four-year-old bay gelding by Chase My Tail Lights has compiled eight wins from 23 lifetime starts and earned over $1875.910 while posting a top speed figure of 93. His recent form includes a seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct on September 27, where he was auctioned afterward for $129.000. Prior to that, he ran a strong race in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 26, finishing third after pressing the pace throughout. His best recent performance came at Monmouth Park on June 14, when he won the Grade 3 Salvator Mile by 2 1/4 lengths in the mud, demonstrating his ability to handle off tracks. Before that, he dominated an allowance field at Churchill Downs on May 16, winning by 1 1/2 lengths at this distance. Fire Chase has proven effective at today’s 1 1/8-mile trip, with three wins from 12 starts at the distance, and his recent workouts show consistent preparation. His tactical speed and proven class make him a serious threat to capture this restricted stakes event.
Without Me represents Temulac Farm with Gabriel Corrales (7/2 odds) riding this four-year-old black gelding by Menacing Ghost. With five wins from 22 career starts and earnings approaching $434.950, he enters off a pair of solid optional claiming efforts where he finished fifth both times. On October 26 at Churchill Downs, he ran evenly to be fifth in a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer, beaten 5 1/4 lengths while racing mid-pack throughout. His previous start on September 12 at Aqueduct saw a similar result, finishing fifth in a one-mile optional claimer after tracking the pace. His most impressive 2025 performance came on August 10 at Elko when he captured the $200.000 Jones Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths, stalking the pace before drawing clear. He also ran a credible third in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine on May 31, showing he can compete at a higher level. His recent workouts at Churchill Downs have been sharp, including a bullet mile in 1:36 on November 11. While he’s been running well without winning lately, his stakes victory earlier this year and consistent form give him an opportunity to upset if the pace sets up favorably.
Solar Roof ships in for The Sidley Stud with Joel McKee (12/1 odds) aboard this four-year-old gray gelding by Solar System. Despite limited career earnings of just over $20.950 from 12 starts, he’s shown steady improvement with three runner-up finishes in 2025. His most recent outing on October 5 at Albuquerque saw him finish second in the $20.000 Powell Stakes, rallying from mid-pack to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles. Prior to that on August 25 at Hastings Park, he finished fourth in the $50.000 CTH Stallion Roster Stakes after pressing the pace. His best effort came on August 4 at Hastings when he was narrowly beaten a nose in an allowance race, showing determination in the stretch. He broke his maiden on May 24 at Beulah Park, winning by one length. His consistent efforts at today’s distance (one win from 10 starts at routes) and recent form suggest improvement, though he’ll need to take another step forward to compete with more accomplished rivals in this spot.
Limpopo also represents The Sidley Stud with Tyler Bacon (6/1 odds) guiding this four-year-old gray gelding by Miles Per Gallon. This versatile runner has won eight of 18 career starts while earning over $81.480, with his best efforts coming in sprint races. His most recent route attempt came on October 25 in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita, where he rallied to finish third at 1 1/16 miles, beaten 3 1/2 lengths. Before that, he’d been dominant in sprint races, winning the $30.000 Essex Cup at Fairmount on September 9 by 1 1/2 lengths after setting the pace. He also captured allowance sprints at Fair Play on October 11 and August 9, showing his effectiveness at shorter distances. His closing kick in the Tokyo City Cup suggests he can handle routes, though his limited experience at 1 1/8 miles (just one career start at the distance) raises questions about whether he wants this much ground. His tactical speed and class make him dangerous, but the distance stretch may prove his undoing.
Snip That Thing brings experience for Night Rider Stables with Luis Rivera (15/1 odds) in the saddle. This five-year-old gray gelding by Hamilton has won six of 26 career starts while earning over $164.520. His 2025 campaign has been inconsistent, with his lone victory coming in a claiming race. On October 11 at Charles Town, he finished fifth in the $300.000 West Virginia Breeders Classic after pressing the pace in a statebred stakes. Prior to that on August 30 at Del Mar, he faded to fifth in an optional claimer after showing early speed. His best effort of the year came on July 30 at Saratoga when he was third in an allowance race, beaten just a head after dueling on the lead throughout the 6 1/2-furlong sprint. He also captured the Grade 3 Salvator Mile at Monmouth on June 14, though he was claimed out of that race for $14.000. His limited success at route distances and declining form suggest he’ll struggle to keep pace with this field’s quality runners over today’s demanding trip.
Super Puzzle represents Team 7 Illusions with Tyler Gaffalione (4/1 odds) riding this five-year-old bay gelding by Supercomplication. With six wins from 26 career starts and earnings exceeding $167.290, he enters off a disappointing tenth-place finish at Churchill Downs on October 26 in an allowance sprint. However, his best 2025 performance came on July 25 at Saratoga when he dominated a $20.000 claiming race at today’s 1 1/8-mile distance, winning by 1 1/2 lengths after setting the pace. He also captured an allowance sprint at Churchill Downs on May 22, showing his versatility. His $300.000 Hanshin Stakes effort on June 29 saw him finish eighth after racing in contention, demonstrating he can compete in better company. With four wins from 12 starts at route distances and proven effectiveness at Churchill Downs, he could rebound from his last disappointing effort if he can secure a favorable stalking position early.
Declassified Agent ships in for Bears Stable with Irad Castillo (5/1 odds) aboard this six-year-old chestnut gelding by Declassified. This seasoned veteran has won 10 of 34 career starts while earning nearly $265.960, posting his best speed figure of 94. His recent form has been excellent, highlighted by a dominant front-running victory on October 13 at Fairmount in an allowance race at today’s 1 1/8-mile distance, winning by two lengths. Prior to that on September 8, he finished third at Fairmount after setting the pace in another allowance route. His best effort of the year came on July 27 when he won a 1 3/16-mile allowance race at Fairmount by six lengths, demonstrating his stamina and gate speed. He’s particularly effective at route distances, with 10 wins from 32 starts beyond a mile. His tactical speed and excellent recent form make him a legitimate threat, though stepping up to stakes company presents a new challenge for this consistent allowance performer.
Honolulu represents The Sidley Stud with Jose Torres (10/1 odds) riding this four-year-old bay gelding by War Command. With just one win from 15 career starts and earnings of approximately $49.890, he enters off a maiden-breaking victory on September 8 at Fairmount, where he rallied to win by 3 3/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles. Prior to that on October 11 at Albuquerque, he finished fifth in the $175.000 Downs Stakes after racing in the back half of the field. His most encouraging effort came on August 16 at Del Mar when he finished second in an allowance race after being claimed for $12.500. While he’s shown flashes of ability, particularly when stretching out around two turns, his limited success and inconsistent form suggest he’ll need significant improvement to threaten more accomplished rivals in this spot.
Thrill Of The Chase completes the field for Asgar with Florent Geroux (8/1 odds) guiding this lightly raced four-year-old bay gelding by Chase My Tail Lights. With just seven career starts, he’s won once while earning over $32.680. His most recent effort on October 31 at Del Mar saw him win an allowance race on turf at 1 1/16 miles, rallying from mid-pack to score by one length. His only other 2025 start came on February 28 at Tampa Bay Downs when he finished second in a maiden race on turf. While he’s shown talent on grass, his lack of dirt experience raises significant questions about his ability to handle today’s surface switch. He’s never raced at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, and his limited overall experience makes him a risky proposition despite his recent turf success.
Pace Scenario and Prediction
The pace structure should develop with Fire Chase and Declassified Agent likely battling for the early lead, with Super Puzzle potentially sitting just off their flanks. Limpopo has shown gate speed in sprints and may also factor into the early pace discussion. The middle portion of the race should see Without Me and Solar Roof tracking in ideal stalking positions, while Honolulu and Thrill Of The Chase will need to come from farther back. Snip That Thing will likely press the pace but may lack the class to sustain his bid.
The projected winner is Fire Chase, who brings the best combination of proven class, tactical speed, and effectiveness at today’s distance. His Grade-level experience sets him apart from this restricted field, and despite some recent setbacks, his earlier performances this year—particularly his Monmouth Grade 3 victory and near-miss in the San Diego Handicap—demonstrate his ability to compete successfully at this level. With Ortiz Jr. able to control the pace from the front or stalk just off it, Fire Chase should have every opportunity to secure his ninth career victory. Without Me appears the most dangerous threat with his recent stakes victory and sharp workouts, while Super Puzzle could factor significantly if rebounding from his last poor effort. Declassified Agent and Limpopo round out the top five with legitimate upset potential if the pace scenario unfolds in their favor.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded