CC Empress

Purse $100.00 – For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward

6 Furlongs – Dirt

Churchill Downs – November 14, 2026

The CC Empress joins the Claiming Crown lineup for the first time with an inaugural dirt sprint for fillies and mares! This race offers a new opportunity for runners that have started for a claiming price of $16.00 or less since January 1st, 2025. The $100.00 purse provides a valuable target for these horses as they pursue a victory on the Claiming Crown stage. The winner will earn the distinction of being the first to capture the CC Empress and give her connections a place in the race’s history. Her final time will also set the standard for future fields to chase. One detail worth mentioning before we examine the field is that none of this year’s entrants are homebreds. That’s why it’s very important to highlight the owners who build their stables through the claiming box and private purchases. It’s shaping up to be a very competitive race as ten fillies and mares head to the starting gate this Saturday. Let’s take a deep dive into each contender to see if there are any standouts in this inaugural running!

1. Absolute Pinnacle – (The Sidley Stud, S X. Bridgmohan) Absolute Pinnacle makes her first appearance for The Sidley Stud after being claimed for $14.00 at Monmouth in August. She got second over six furlongs that day after having a decent lead at the half-mile call. The four-year-old is winless in four starts this season but has finished within three lengths of the winner in each appearance. Her last victory came in a six-furlong optional claimer at Aqueduct in September of last year. This distance suits this California-bred’s background, but she will need a stronger finish as Absolute Pinnacle returns from a break for her new connections. Will need to step up.

2. Uspinmerightround – (Xcel Racing, J L. Ortiz) Has won three of eight starts this year and brings proven form over this course and distance. Uspinmerightround edged a six-furlong claimer at Churchill Downs by a head in May before winning a restricted stakes at Lone Star in July. Her next appearance produced a sixth, but she responded with a much stronger effort last time out. The daughter of No Doubt Bronze rallied from last to finish second by a neck over six furlongs. She really didn’t find a clear running lane until the middle of the stretch that day. That rebound and her established local form make her a strong contender for the inaugural title.

3. Anita Bath – (Ashwood Farms, B. Curtis) Returns to Ashwood Farms after being reclaimed for $7.00 at Fort Erie last month. Anita Bath rallied to finish second by half a length over a mile on turf that day following a fourth in a seven-furlong grass open-allowance. Her latest victory came in a seven-furlong optional claimer at Albuquerque in August. The five-year-old mare also finished third over six furlongs in July with rival Absolute Pinnacle just behind her. This West Virginia-bred brings solid recent form, but will need to carry it back to dirt while shortening up from her latest outing. This could be a sneaky longshot who will do her best running in the stretch.

4. Policiere – (Hf Stable, E. Esquivel) Policiere has been a useful $4.00 claim with two victories since changing hands in February. She won a six-furlong stakes in March before leading throughout a starter allowance over the same trip in August. Her latest appearance produced a fourth in the Grubb Cup at Fort Erie, where she was beaten just a length over a muddy track. The daughter of Preternatural has since worked six furlongs in 1:11.11 at Churchill Downs with that drill ranking fastest among 19 at the distance. Policiere’s ability to win from the front or just off the pace gives her options as she returns to a trip that has suited her well.

5. Tricky Temper – (Spb Racing, J R. Velazquez) Tricky Temper has been knocking on the door for Spb Racing with consecutive seconds at Belmont. She was beaten three-quarters of a length over six furlongs in September before finishing a length behind the winner in a $200.00 state-bred stakes last month. Those efforts followed a neck victory at Ellis Park where she led throughout over six and a half furlongs. This four-year-old filly has finished in the top three in five of six starts since joining her current connections. Tricky Temper’s tactical speed and recent stakes placing make her a serious contender as she returns to six furlongs. Watch out!

6. Tail Shimmy – (C And C Racing, T. Gaffalione) Won first off the claim for her new connections after being taken from The Sidley Stud for $5.00 back in August. Tail Shimmy rallied from off the pace at Finger Lakes to capture a starter allowance over five and a half furlongs by a quarter-length. That followed a third over six furlongs at Belterra Park, where she contested the pace and was beaten only a length. Most of her career has been spent routing, but her last two appearances suggest sprinting could be a productive direction. The stronger opposition is the main concern as this California-bred looks to build on her first victory of the season. Step up will be needed.

7. Strong Emotion – (Alydar Stables, R. Bejarano) Strong Emotion brings a three-race winning streak into the CC Empress, along with four victories from seven starts this year. She scored consecutive turf wins at Monmouth over contrasting distances before returning to dirt last time out. The daughter of Wigglin Stars pressed the early pace in that six-furlong claimer before taking command and scoring by half a length. She has continued to work sharply with a recent five-furlong drill at Churchill Downs ranking third among 18 at the distance. Strong Emotion’s speed and versatility make her a dangerous opponent as she pursues a fourth straight victory.

8. Koopa Troopa – (Rheingold Stables, J E. Felix) Rheingold Stables’ Koopa Troopa won back-to-back short sprints at Charles Town and Woodbine before missing by a nose at Finger Lakes in July. She stepped up into an N1X two-back and got third as the post-time favorite. This mare’s latest outing came over six furlongs at Fairmount Park, where she led into the stretch before finishing fourth just a length behind the winner. Two victories over this distance last year offer reassurance that the trip is within her range. Koopa Troopa’s early speed should keep her involved, but a stronger finish will be needed to turn those recent close efforts into another win.

9. Queen Mia – (Big Jd Racing, G. Corrales) Added a new dimension to her record when winning The Iroquois at Belmont last month. Queen Mia led throughout over six and a half furlongs to defeat Tricky Temper by a length, adding the first stakes win to her résumé. That was her fourth victory from eight starts this season and her first on the main track after building most of her record in turf sprints. This filly’s earlier wins this year came at Tampa Bay Downs and Churchill Downs with all three earned over five furlongs. A repeat of that latest effort would make her a major threat as Queen Mia cuts back slightly to six furlongs. Don’t let her get away on the front end.

10. Carouse – (Night Rider Stables, L. Saez) Has won twice for her new connections since being claimed for $6.25 last November. Both victories came over six furlongs at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park early this season. Carouse returned from nearly five months away to finish fourth in a Saratoga N1X allowance in August. That latest effort was competitive as she finished just a length behind the winner over the niche seven furlongs. This Florida-bred’s ability to win from the lead or a stalking position gives her some tactical flexibility. The cutback suits her winning form, but Carouse will need to be ready following another break from racing. The outside post could be a problem as well.

– AJM

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded