June 19, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Pat on the Back
After missing out on a fairytale ending in last month’s Peter Pan (G3) by three-quarters-of-a-length, McAfee eyes a soft reset in Saturday’s $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown.
Mired in a winless three-start sophomore season, the 3-year-old colt has shown steady improvement from race-to-race.
While McAfee has yet to track down that true breakthrough showing, the Richard Dutrow Jr. trainee proved last time out that he can handle himself at the graded level, charging gamely to nearly steal the Peter Pan at 7-1.
McAfee enters the 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby as the 3-1 second choice behind 9-5 favorite Clever Again.
’97-98
A tough ending to her 2024 campaign – eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) – spilled over to her first start of 2024 – seventh in the Derby City Distaff (G1) – but a drop in class and chance to defend her crown could be just the spark Vahva needs.
On Saturday, the four-time graded stakes winner returns to Churchill Downs with an opportunity to collect her second consecutive $300,000 Chicago (G2) title.
Going into this year’s Chicago (11 entered), Vahva is projected to contend with a much larger field of challengers than last year’s edition (five entered).
Oddsmakers, however, don’t envision trouble with the larger crowd, listing Vahva as the 3-1 second choice.
On the Hunt
Trips to the winner’s circle have been few and far between for Where’s My Ring, who’s recorded a lone victory – a claimer at Oaklawn Park – in seven starts since taking last April’s Gazelle (G3) by 4 ¼-lengths.
The 4-year-old filly with 15 starts under her belt makes her first at Thistledown in this Saturday’s $250,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes.
Pegged for post six, Where’s My Ring looks to get back on track in what appears to be favorable conditions as the 2-1 second choice behind 9-5 clubhouse leader Peignoir.
The latter does not have a stakes win on her résumé, but has shown a consistent nose for the podium, going 4-2-4 across 14 starts.
We Can Run
Friend Ofthe Devil’s connections were certainly grateful after the young colt started his 2025 with a win, but they’d be even happier if he kept on truckin’ in Saturday’s $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes.
Heading back to Aqueduct – the site of his two career wins – Friend Ofthe Devil rattled off a career-best effort last time out, leading coast-to-coast for the confident 3 ½-length score at 4-1.
The 6-furlong NYSS will be the Carlos Martin charge’s maiden attempt at the stakes level after five starts across the lower ranks.
The lights, at least in the early stages, don’t seem to be too bright, with Friend Ofthe Devil opening as the 4-5 choice.
Not If, When
Following up a career-defining performance can be just as, if not more difficult than the act of winning itself.
While that’s been the case for Whenigettoheaven, the well-travelled 6-year-old gelding finds himself in a prime position to right the ship Saturday in the very race that launched his career – the $100,000 Ben’s Cat Stakes.
Returning to the friendly confines of Laurel Park (13: 2-4-3 all time), Whenigettoheaven seeks an outing reminiscent of the one that delivered last year’s Ben’s Cat by a neck’s difference.
Taking to post nine, instead of four like last time, the Nolan Ramsey pupil opens as the narrow 5-2 favorite.