May 29, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
When There’s Sparks…
Get Smokin has seen a thing or two across 32 starts, five graded stakes wins, and over $2.1 million in total purse earnings.
But one thing the mighty 8-year-old hasn’t seen is the winner’s circle after the Eclipse Stakes (G2).
Following a fourth in last year’s edition of the $175,000 contest, Get Smokin returns to Woodbine this Saturday for a second shot as the 9-5 choice.
The well-travelled Mark Casse trainee will be making his first start since a 3 3/4-length score in December’s snow-covered Valedictory (G3), also at Woodbine.
Grade A Gallop
The first ever meeting between graded stakes winners Nysos and Dr. Venkman is coming to Santa Anita in this Saturday’s $100,000 Triple Bend (G3) with both contenders gunning for a bounce back effort after a loss.
After roaring out to a perfect three-for-three start, headlined by tallies in the Bob Hope (G3) and Robert B. Lewis (G3), Nysos came up a neck short in May’s Churchill Downs (G1) resulting in his first career misfire.
Dr. Venkman, on the other hand, has yet to compete in 2025 following a fourth in last August’s Pacific Classic (G1) at neighboring Del Mar.
Nysos holds the early advantage, opening as the 3-5 favorite ahead of second choice Dr. Venkman (2-1).
Derby Daze
Mystik Dan took the Thoroughbred racing world by storm when he fought tooth and nail to steal the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) at 18-1.
The spectacular showing was expected to be the colt’s meteoric rise to fame, but instead, feels like a distant memory as his last trip to the winner’s circle in over a year.
Mired in a five-race winless drought, Mystik Dan eyes a return to his championship form in Saturday’s $275,000 Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Back at the Louisville oval for the first time since his landmark triumph, Mystik Dan, who finished a neck behind the leader in the Lake Ouachita Stakes last time out, enters the Blame at 4-1.
No Regrets
A shaky United States debut didn’t dampen Lush Lips’ (GB) spirit, as the 4-year-old filly made consecutive trips to the winner’s circle before netting a pair of seconds in the Florida Oaks (G3) and Edgewood (G2).
Determined for a breakthrough at the graded level, Lush Lips (3-1) takes her talents back to Churchill Downs this Saturday for the $275,000 Regret (G3T).
Pegged for post seven, the Brendan Walsh charge’s first order of business will be getting out to a quicker start than she did in the Edgewood.
If, under the hand of rider Flavien Prat, she is able to do so, then that elusive first graded title may very well be within reach.
Spare a Strike
Churchill Downs’ wild weekend of stakes continues Sunday with the $250,000 Mint Julep (G3T).
Included in the deep field of 11 fillies and mares is last year’s Grade 3 Regret (see above) champion, Pin Up Betty.
The 4-year-old filly has been stuck in an ensuing six-race dry spell, although it appears she’s trending in the right direction after slotting in a neck behind the aptly named Simply in Front last time out in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2).
Standing at 2-6-1 through 15 starts, Pin Up Betty opens at 5-1.
