Antares delivered again for Alydar Stables, taking the Anchorage Stakes as the post-time favorite with Esquivel E aboard. The 7-year-old mare tracked the pace, advanced into second by the third call, and finished strongly enough to secure the victory.

Race Recap

The Anchorage Stakes was run on June 27, 2026, at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/8 mile turf stake for fillies and mares four years old and upward. The race carried a purse of $275.00 and was contested over firm turf. Antares, owned and trained by Alydar Stables and ridden by Esquivel E, completed the race in 1:45.42.

Kash Bounty showed the way at the opening call, narrowly in front, with Affair Expert close in second and Bronxbabesarebest also prominent. Antares was settled in fourth, with Enough Class To Pass fifth, My Dams Atitude sixth, Happy Dancer seventh, and Ailin eighth.

By the second call, Bronxbabesarebest had moved forward to take command, while Affair Expert remained close and Kash Bounty began to give up early position. Antares continued in fourth but had improved her margin, keeping within range of the leaders. Happy Dancer was still seventh, while Ailin remained eighth.

At the third call, Bronxbabesarebest still led, but Antares had advanced into second and was now applying pressure. Affair Expert held third, Happy Dancer moved into fourth, Kash Bounty dropped to fifth, Ailin advanced to sixth, My Dams Atitude was seventh, and Enough Class To Pass had fallen back to eighth.

In the stretch, Antares finished best and edged past the leaders to win. Happy Dancer produced a strong late move from seventh early to second at the wire. Bronxbabesarebest held third after doing the heavy work up front. Ailin continued on for fourth, followed by Affair Expert, Kash Bounty, Enough Class To Pass, and My Dams Atitude.

Each Runner Mentioned

Antares, the post-time favorite, tracked from fourth early, moved into second by the third call, and finished first.

Happy Dancer rallied from seventh early to finish second and ran a strong race after being well back through the first half.

Bronxbabesarebest moved from third to the lead by the second call, stayed in front through the third call, and held third.

Ailin was eighth early, advanced during the second half, and finished fourth.

Affair Expert was close to the early pace, held third at the third call, and finished fifth.

Kash Bounty led at the opening call but faded to sixth.

Enough Class To Pass was fifth early, dropped back by the third call, and finished seventh.

My Dams Atitude never made a meaningful forward move and finished eighth.

About The Winner

Antares is by Neon Wolf out of Unchained Melody, was bred by Smokey Stover, and is currently owned by Alydar Stables. With the win, her lifetime earnings now stand at $1,965.420.

Track: Firm
Time: :47¹  1:10³  1:33⁴  1:45²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 2 Paid 21.00
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 2 – 3 Paid 309.10

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded