Vinery Madison – (Grade l)

Purse $650.000 – For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward

7 Furlongs – Dirt

Keeneland – April 4, 2026

It’s a big purse on the line for these older female sprinters as the 23rd running of the Vinery Madison draws a field of eleven fillies and mares. The eight-year-old mare Lady Sammyantha headlines this year’s edition as she seeks her third straight victory in this race. Mb Stables, Maxmillion Farm, and The Sidley Stud are each represented by a pair of runners, and a win for The Sidley Stud would put him level with Mb Stables and 30west atop the standings. The stakes record was set by Princess Isabella back in 2012, when she powered away from the field and stopped the clock in 1:21.30. There appears to be some unfavorable weather in the forecast, but this year’s Vinery Madison shapes up as a competitive renewal. Let’s take a closer look at the contenders.

1. Aghast – (Mb Stables, L. Dettori) There’s no doubt this filly will be forwardly placed, as her last four victories have come in near wire-to-wire fashion. She put together a strong 2025 campaign with three wins, including two at this seven-furlong distance. Her best effort came in the Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park, where she scored by a length while earning a career-best 101 speed figure. Now a five-year-old, Aghast has made two starts in South Florida this year, picking up one victory. In her most recent outing, she worked out a perfect trip and was part of a blanket finish at the wire, ultimately coming up just short and finishing fourth by a nose. She will be one of my top picks.

2. Eilonwy – (TwinTowersRacing, T. Gaffalione) Was a $100.990 auction purchase just four months ago and is seeking her first graded stakes win. She is two for three lifetime going ⅞, highlighted by a win in the Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar. After switching to her new barn, connections tried to stretch her back out to two turns again. It hasn’t been too successful as both entries had her closing from last and finishing in fifth place. Looking at Eilonwy’s past speed figures, her highest ones have come at this seven-furlong distance. The cutback should suit her well, but she faces her toughest test to date in this spot.

3. Quail Trot – (Maxmillion Farm, S X. Bridgmohan) The daughter of Declassified ran the race of her life last time out in the Grade One Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. She tried to take the field wire-to-wire and was outfinished in the stretch to finish a very respectable second as the longest shot in the field. In the race prior, Quail Trot made every pole a winning one against allowance company. It seems that Maxmillion Farm has unlocked new potential with his filly now running on the lead. She has some experience at the level and cutting back in distance, it will take a top-level effort for her to contend against this field.

4. Devil Slayer – (Maxmillion Farm, A. Jimenez) Hasn’t done much wrong on the dirt as of late, recording a pair of triple-digit speed figures. Connections briefly tried her on the turf earlier this year, but she failed to hit the board in both attempts. Prior to that, Devil Slayer captured the Ontario Fashion Stakes against a solid group as the favorite. In her most recent start, the Hurricane Bertie, she was part of a blanket finish at the wire and ultimately came up short, finishing in a dead heat for second. This will be her first try at the specialist seven-furlong distance, and if she handles it well, she could be a dangerous longshot.

5. Altered State – (Mb Stables, R. Santana Jr.) Comes in here on a four-race winning streak with steadily improving speed figures. She was the lucky one and prevailed in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes last time out, which marked her third career graded stakes win. Her prior wins came in the Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and a pair of open allowance races, all against solid competition and sizable fields. There’s no question Altered State comes into the Vinery Madison in peak form, and notably, she already owns two graded stakes victories at this seven-furlong distance. So don’t be surprised if she stretches her streak to five.

6. Este Nocha – (D J C Racing Stables, S. Elliott) Este Nocha’s three-year-old season was impressive, adding a pair of graded stakes victories to her résumé in the Beaumont and Eight Belles. She continued to perform well at the seven-furlong distance and wrapped up her campaign in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She endured a wide trip throughout but still managed to make up enough ground late to finish seventh. However, since turning four, her form has taken a step back, as she has made two starts at Gulfstream Park without making an impact in either. A change in tactics is needed here to get back to her winning ways.

7. Gigafemme – (Big Guns Stables, G. Corrales) She began her career facing State Bred company in New York and picked up a stakes win as a two-year-old. Gigafemme went on to capture a pair of graded stakes at this seven-furlong distance, including the Charles Town Oaks and the La Brea. Any experience at this specialist distance is always a positive. However, her most recent start raises some concerns, as she went from a Grade 1 winner to finishing last in the Inside Information Stakes. Hopefully, this daughter of Hashrate isn’t heading in the wrong direction, but she’ll need to take a step forward here.

8. Reflex Action – (The Sidley Stud, M. Franco) In 25 career starts, this five-year-old mare has never competed outside of stakes company, compiling three graded stakes victories over a three-year span. She most recently captured the Inside Information Stakes in comfortable wire-to-wire fashion and followed that up with another impressive effort at Aqueduct. Reflex Action drew off to win by two lengths in the stretch and posted a triple-digit speed figure. This placement makes sense, as her speed figures at the seven-furlong distance stand out compared to her other efforts. She’s capable of making an impact here.

9. Lady Sammyantha – (The Sidley Stud, J R. Velazquez) The 2023 and 2024 HRP Female Sprinter of the Year and winner of $5,092.640 in purse money. Not to mention, she has fourteen wins at the seven-furlong distance and seventeen total graded stakes wins. It’s definitely a mouthful, but she’s been one of the most dominant sprinting fillies this game has seen. As an ⅞ specialist and two-time Breeders Cup winner, she continues to hit the board as an eight-year-old and doesn’t show many signs of slowing down. All eyes will be on Lady Sammyantha as she goes for a third straight win in the Vinery Madison and looks to extend her dominance. My top pick.

10. Lille – (Mo Mentum Farm, J. Bravo) Claimed for $100.000 in April of last year, she has since gone on to win three graded stakes. Her most notable victory came in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, where she made every pole a winning one. The Chicago Stakes marked her first victory after switching barns, also winning in gate-to-wire fashion. Lille has shown versatility as well, with a pair of stakes wins on the turf both routing and sprinting. There’s no question she comes into this race in strong form and I’m sure the connections are happy getting her back to ⅞. However, she is a need-the-lead type, and her outside draw could make things difficult early.

11. Spring Street – (High Voltage, D E. Centeno) The first half of Spring Street’s career was spent sprinting, but as she matured, High Voltage shifted focus to longer races around two turns. That move has proven effective, as she has picked up three graded stakes victories over a route of ground. This is a bold placement cutting her back in distance, especially coming off a win in the Azeri at Oaklawn Park. She does have a couple of wins at seven furlongs earlier in her career, which is a positive. With plenty of early speed drawn to her inside, she figures to settle just off the pace. If the leaders hook up early, she shapes as a legitimate upset candidate.

– AJM

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES