Two Sharp, a 4-year-old bay filly by Twirling Candy, showcased a commanding performance to win the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Making her first start since a victory last November, Two Sharp went wire-to-wire, demonstrating impressive speed and holding off all challengers.
Under jockey Junior Alvarado, Two Sharp broke sharply from the outside post in a field of seven, quickly establishing the lead. She set swift early fractions of 21.14 for the quarter-mile and 43.99 for the half-mile.
Despite a challenge from favored Hope Road and a late rally from Benedetta, Two Sharp maintained her momentum, finishing the six-furlong dirt race in a final time of 1:08.75.
“She broke very sharp, and I wasn’t going to take anything away,” Alvarado commented. “I don’t think it’s how fast you’re going, it’s how you’re going fast with her. In the middle of the turn she took a deep breath and I said, ‘Oh boy, I have horse.'”
Trainer Philip Bauer, who trains Two Sharp for Rigney Racing LLC, was thrilled with the filly’s comeback. “She’s probably the best horse we’ve ever had in the barn,” Bauer stated. “She’s so talented and to run that well fresh was really exciting to see. It’s obviously a great starting point.” Bauer indicated that a Grade 1 victory is the ultimate goal for the talented filly.
Benedetta, ridden by Keith Asmussen, finished second, 3 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Hope Road, with Florent Geroux aboard, was another three-quarters of a length back in third. Brightwork completed the superfecta.
Two Sharp was bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm, LLC. This victory marked her second Grade 3 win and her fourth win in six lifetime starts, increasing her earnings to $518,218.
Scratched Horse(s): Easy Red (RegVet-Unsound), Harbor Springs (Stakes Scratch)
Fractional Times: :21.14, :43.99, :56.15
Final Time: 1:08.75
Winning Connections
- Winner: Two Sharp
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Trainer: Philip Bauer
- Owner: Rigney Racing LLC
- Breeder: Woods Edge Farm, LLC
- Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Twirling Candy out of Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor. Foaled Feb 20, 2021 in Kentucky.
Twirling Candy stands at Lane’s End ($60,000 Live Foal / Stands & Nurses)
Payouts:
- (9) Two Sharp – Win: $5.82, Place: $4.36, Show: $2.54
- (3) Benedetta – Place: $12.32, Show: $4.42
- (7) Hope Road – Show: $2.10
- $1.00 Exacta (9-3) Paid: $53.77
- $1.00 Trifecta (9-3-7) Paid: $132.68
- $1.00 Superfecta (9-3-7-1) Paid: $303.40
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