Gaelic Commander from High Voltage heads the field for the G1 American Turf on the Saturday undercard at Churchill Downs on KD day. “Commander” was purchased for a hefty $400.00 back in November and has looked the part in his subsequent three starts, including a win in the Transylvania Stakes last time. The post draw is ok, although not perfect and the gelding should be able to weave through the field and be the one to hold back in the drive. No small matter that Johnny V stays put. The barn is small but has had solid success against top competition over the past few seasons. No Prince from Mb Stables was also purchased for decent money ($200.00) back in the beginning of the year and has not disappointed in three races since, albeit without winning. He ran second to the top pick last time and must be respected in this spot for one of the country’s perennial leading barns. Reign Supreme, also from Mb Stables comes out of the same race as the top pair and finished third. “Supreme” exploded late two starts back while traversing a flat mile at Santa Anita and just looked like a better horse than when asked to go a sixteenth further. His best effort could easily upset the apple cart here. Simple Man from Serenity Stables is another up setter of note. “Man” ran in the Florida Derby right off the large $400.00 purchase near the end of March. “Man” ran a very credible fourth and now switches back to sod for this engagement. The feeling here is that he is better on the grass and if that is correct, he could play a major role in this race.

Of The Rest:

Kuykendahl from Luz International had a tough trip in the aforementioned Transylvania Stakes and ran a real decent fourth. Any improvement puts him squarely in the hunt at what should be a decent price.

Bells N Whistles from TwinTowersRacing ran a much better than looked effort in his last start, given that the spot was an impossible place to throw down in the lane. Sharp effort going seven panels and now goes two-turns on turf. Expect a performance better than his probable odds Saturday will indicate.

Britslastempire from Lemax Farms is rated lower than expected here for a last season Breeder’s Cup winner. Unfortunately, the age change has not moved him up with his peers and he appears to have regressed as a three-year-old. From parking lot draw number fourteen his connections will need to conjure up all the racing luck in the world for a placing today.

Montauciel from Waldo ran his best career race last time and that effort fits numbers wise, but coming from Tampa Bay Downs to the home of the twin spires doesn’t exactly get the pulse racing. He will need a repeat effort and then some to play ball with this crew.

Stormy Knight also from Mb Stables appears to want the flat mile and comes into this well primed for a big effort. Steady improvement since the low-price purchase and the last number earned makes him a player. This is however the acid test and it’s a tough spot for anything but his career best.

Hengroen from Delta Farms could be viewed as interesting in that he might be better on this surface than on dirt. If that analigy is correct he might surprise more than a few handicapper’s Saturday, but that’s a decent sized “if” to swallow.

Yellowbrick Road from DJC Racing Stables was a $150.00 purchase before his last start where he floundered against several of these rivals. Barn will need to figure this guy out in a hurry if he is going to rebound in here.

PC Police from Threshold is a nice story, given the $25.00 claim back in August of 2025, but that might be where the story stops. Although sharp, the competition faced won’t get the heart racing for this dance. To say that he will need his career best is an understatement.

Drummer Boy also from DJC Racing Stables appears to be a late running sprinter trying a flat mile against horses with just too much seasoning to topple. The post draw is perfect, but the conditions are certainly not.

In The Drink from Pan Farms won on a soft turf course going two-turns after breaking his maiden and then fell apart against many of these same rivals on a fast course. Drawn on the rail looks like the final blow to his chances Saturday, given his running style.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES