GRADED STAKES PREVIEW FROM MAY 29TH

We will look at the Graded Stakes Preview for the five Graded races that fans can look forward to on Saturday. This weekend promises to be one of the busiest of the year so far in the United States, with graded action on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Matt Winn Stakes

Churchill Downs will host a Grade 3 race on Saturday, as the Matt Winn Stakes takes place. The horses involved will be three years old, and the field will compete for over 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Two Kentucky Derby contenders are likely to return to the track in this race, with both O Besos and Helium looking to kick on after finishing in fifth and eighth, respectively. However, Caddo River could be the leading contender to win this Grade 2 for trainer Brad Cox. The three-year-old sidestepped the Triple Crown meetings and looks good value to follow up a second in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby with a strong run here.

Regret Stakes

Another Grade 3 contest that will be run at Churchill Downs on Saturday will be the Regret Stakes. Fillies that are three years old will be able to enter this race, which is run over 1 1/8 miles on turf. Barista and Line Dancing both produced strong runs in the Grade 2 Edgewood, while Postnup and Spanish Loveaffair were slightly disappointed in the same Grade 2 last time out. Oyster Box finished strong to claim fourth in the Memories of Silver Stakes, but our preference is for Il Malocchio. The three-year-old showed great improvement last time out to finish second in an allowance at Keeneland, and she should be a contender in Grade 3 company.

Charles Whittingham Stakes

The graded action continues at Santa Anita on Saturday with the Charles Whittingham Stakes. Horses aged three and older can compete in this Grade 2, which covers a distance of 1 ¼ miles. Red King will return after finishing fifth in the Hollywood Turf Cup, while Acclimate may also attract attention after finishing third in the Crystal Water Stakes. However, it looks difficult to go against United for trainer Richard Mandella, who won the Grade 3 San Luis Rey on his last run and won this race 12 months ago.

Daytona Stakes

Santa Anita will also host the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes this weekend, with a talented field of ten likely to go to post. Horses aged four and older will travel across six and a half furlongs on the turf in this race. Border Town, Fight On, and Stubbins have clear graded form coming into this. However, we are prepared to take a chance on Gregorian Chant, who has won his last three, including the Grade 3 San Simeon in March.

Triple Bend

To conclude our Graded Stakes preview, the Grade 2 Triple Bend will also take place at Santa Anita on Saturday, as the field competes over seven furlongs on dirt. Law Abidin Citizen looks open to improvement after finishing third in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Handicap. However, Flagstaff looks the strongest pick, as the John Sadler-trainer horse comes into this after winning his last two at Graded company. His most recent victory came in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes at the beginning of May.

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