Tall Stack Stakes

Purse $75.00 – For Three Year Olds

6 1/2 Furlongs – Dirt

Belterra Park – May 8, 2026

Tucked away from the major racing circuits, the 4th edition of the Tall Stack Stakes at Belterra Park gives a group of three-year-olds a chance to take a meaningful step forward. Introduced in 2016, this race disappeared for several years before resurfacing in 2024. The last three runnings of the Tall Stack Stakes have all been tightly contested, with a neck standing as the largest winning margin. There has yet to be a repeat winning trainer in this race, and that trend will continue again this year. The stakes record was set last year by the Arizona-bred Small Things, who covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.37. If recent history is any guide, another narrow finish and a fresh face in the winner’s circle await in this year’s Tall Stack Stakes. Let’s take a deep dive into the contenders and see if there are any standouts!

1. Euclidean – (Ire Iron Stables, P W. Ouzts) Bought privately for $125.00 earlier this year and comes off a win in the Fonner Park Stakes. Euclidean broke his maiden first time out, and connections immediately tried going two turns. It wasn’t a huge success as his best placing was third in two experimental outings. He then won easily going six furlongs, and it became clear that he’s most likely a sprinter. The son of Excoriator got a perfect rail trip last time out, sitting just off the pace in second place. He took the lead at the top of the stretch and never looked back to win by an easy length. This gelding is definitely a contender in this spot.

2. Wizardly – (Barcelona Farms, C P. Pilares) This California-bred was on the Derby trail earlier this year after running in two prep races. He closed seven lengths from last place in the Los Alamitos Futurity and finished second by a length. Barcelona Farms then took his gelding to Louisiana and took a shot in the Risen Star, going 1⅛ miles on the dirt. Wizardly was last coming into the stretch and closed to get fifth place. His last race was at Keeneland in a N2X going six furlongs and just missed by a head. Though it was a four-horse field, he still put up a 92 SRF figure. It should be noted that Lasix will be added for this start. My top pick.

3. Special Moments – (Maletto, Mc. Anderson) Has five lifetime starts with four of them on the turf—this homebred for Maletto has yet to finish off the board. Special Moments broke his maiden on the grass by three impressive lengths in wire-to-wire fashion. Connections then took him to Gulfstream Park to try the dirt, and it was a success after finishing second. The son of The Great Zeus returned to the turf in his most recent start and again showed early speed, going straight to the lead before being caught late and settling for third. With a solid effort on dirt already under his belt, a win here would not come as a surprise.

4. Grand Sharky – (Serenity Stables, A. Jimenez) A $50.00 private purchase after solid efforts against State-Breds. After debuting in the free-track circuit, Grand Sharky took a step forward, winning an MSW at the one-turn mile distance. The Gander Stakes was his next start with New York-Breds and failed to fire. Serenity Stables now takes over the training duties and gave this gelding an outing at TUP. It was a decent performance after closing five lengths in the stretch to finish fourth. With some quick recent workouts, I think the cutback in distance will help this guy. Grand Sharky will be closing fast with some fast fractions on the front end.

5. Jet Blast – (TwinTowersRacing, V. Lebron) The only colt in this field and has the most amount of racing experience. After experimenting with equipment, this son of Atomic Icon broke his maiden after his sixth start, going 6½ furlongs on the dirt. Connections then stretched Jet Blast out to two turns again at Fonner Park and got fifth place after closing six lengths. We last saw him as the favorite at Belterra Park, where he ran in the mud and failed to fire. It’s clear that Jet Blast is best suited for sprint distances, however this field looks to be too deep for him. He’ll need to improve, especially against some more proven runners in here.

6. Ebiowei – (Panionios Racing, J L. Castanon) An interesting horse coming off his maiden victory. Royalty Stables bred this horse and campaigned him for four races earlier this year. Panionios Racing swooped in and claimed him for $12.50 two starts ago and quickly gelded him. The new connections entered Ebiowei in an MSW at Fonner Park and won by an easy two lengths. That effort produced a 93 SRF figure, the best last-out number of any runner in the field. Taking a shot in this stakes makes sense, and this New York-Bred should be looked at as a serious contender. Jockey Jesus Castanon will also have a lot of options with this comfy outside post.

– AJM

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded