A fascinating field of older horses is set to contest this year’s edition of the Grade 3 Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs this Saturday, May 31, 2025. The $275,000 race, run over 1 1/8 miles on the main track, has drawn a compelling lineup, featuring local standouts, classic winners, and seasoned graded stakes performers all vying for a prestigious victory.
Among the leading contenders, Most Wanted (7-2) emerges as a slight favorite due to his exceptional track record at Churchill Downs and stellar recent form.
However, he faces a stern test from the likes of Mystik Dan (4-1), the celebrated 2024 Kentucky Derby champion who recently almost returned to the winner’s circle, and the morning-line favorite Post Time (3-1), a consistent Grade 2-winning campaigner looking to add another significant stakes to his resume.
The 10th race on the card, with a post time of 5:27 PM ET, promises an exciting battle from start to finish.
The Field
1. Katonah (20-1) – Boasts career earnings of $490,180 and was a Grade 2 winner of the San Pasqual at Santa Anita in January. His recent form has fallen sharply.
He was recently a non-factor sixth in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes in May 2025, earning an 86 Beyer. While he has tactical speed, he must rediscover his peak form to contend with the top choices.
2. Alexander Helios (6-1) – This five-year-old horse has been a consistent performer, with lifetime earnings of $588,420 from 16 starts. He captured the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on February 23, 2025, with a strong 102 Beyer, leading gate-to-wire. Before that, he won an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park with a 95 Beyer.
His last outing saw him finish fifth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap after a slow start. He possesses good early speed and has hit the board in 11 of 16 starts, making him a contender if he has a good start and trip.
3. Antiquarian (15-1) – A promising, lightly raced horse with only six starts, Antiquarian won the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes in May 2024. He enters this race off a win in an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park on April 19, 2025, earning a 93 Beyer over six furlongs after a 10-month layoff.
While he has shown talent, his experience is less than others here, and he needs to prove he can carry his speed effectively against this caliber of competition. This will be his first start at Churchill Downs.
4. Mystik Dan (4-1) – The winner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby, Mystik Dan brings a significant class edge and career earnings exceeding $4.25 million.
He was sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) before taking a four-month break and returning to form with a game second-place finish at the Lake Ouachita at Oaklawn Park on May 3rd, earning a 101 Beyer.
He has proven his liking for the Churchill Downs surface (3-2-0-0 record), and if he brings his best, he is a formidable win candidate.
5. Best Actor (30-1) – A Grade 3 winner of the Smarty Jones Stakes and Indiana Derby in 2022, Best Actor has struggled to find that form in the past year.
His 2025 campaign includes two off-the-board finishes, most recently an eighth place in the Kincks Go at Churchill Downs in May, earning a 70 Beyer. The connections are removing blinkers for this start. He needs a significant turnaround to be a factor.
6. Hall of Fame (7-2) – This colt has a strong record with four wins from nine starts and earnings of $497,310.
He won the Grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes at Fair Grounds in February 2025 with a 100 Beyer. He was recently third in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2nd, also earning a 100 Beyer, behind Fierceness and fellow Blame entrant Most Wanted.
He is consistent at this track (3-1-1-1) and should be in the mix.
7. Most Wanted (7-2) – Has been a model of consistency, with four wins and three second-place finishes in seven career starts, earning $805,253. He won his first four starts, including the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby in September 2024.
He enters this race after a game second-place finish in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on May 2nd, against arguably one of the best older horses, Fierceness, earning a career-high 105 Beyer Speed Figure.
His tactical speed and proven affinity for the track (3-1-2-0 record) make him a leading contender.
8. Banishing (9-2) – A seasoned campaigner with over $1.15 million in earnings, Banishing is in sharp current form. He won the Grade 3 Oaklawn Mile on March 29, 2025 (102 Beyer) and the Byerley Turk Stakes in January.
He followed that up with a strong second in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 19th, beaten only by First Mission and earning a 106 Beyer. Last time out, he was flying at the end after a bad start to finish a neck behind Mindframe at the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes.
His versatility and current condition make him dangerous.
9. Post Time (3-1) – The morning line favorite, Post Time has an impressive record, never finishing off the board with 10 wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 16 starts, and earnings of $1,266,550. His victories include the Grade 2 Carter Handicap and the Grade 3 General George Stakes.
He was third in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes last year at this 1 1/8 mile distance. He comes off an easy allowance optional claiming win at Laurel Park on May 3, 2025, earning a 93 Beyer. He figures to be in the mix late. This will be his first start at Churchill Downs.
10. Tennessee Lamb (15-1) – Tennessee Lamb is an improving colt who recently captured the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland on April 19, 2025, his first graded stakes win, earning an 87 Beyer.
Before that, he won an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. He has two starts at Churchill Downs, including a maiden win. He is stepping up in class against a more challenging field here, but has an upward trajectory.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (7) Most Wanted (7-2) – His recent 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Grade 2 Alysheba at this track is the highest last-out figure among the leading contenders. Combined with his perfect in-the-money record at Churchill Downs (3-1-2-0) and the potent trainer-jockey combination of Brad Cox and Florent Geroux, he appears poised for a peak performance.
Place: (4) Mystik Dan (4-1) – As a Kentucky Derby winner, his class is undeniable. His recent second-place finish with a 101 Beyer shows he’s in good form. The 1 1/8 mile distance is right in his wheelhouse, and he clearly handles the Churchill Downs surface. He’s a massive threat to win outright.
Show: (9) Post Time (3-1) – The morning line favorite has a sparkling resume, including Grade 2 victories and a Grade 1 placing. While his last Beyer (93) was in an easier spot, he would be running late and could pick it up if there was a hot pace. His overall consistency and class make him a danger to hit the board, if not win, in his Churchill Downs debut.
Wildcard: (6) Hall of Fame (7-2) – He ran a commendable race to finish third in the Alysheba, earning a 100 Beyer, and boasts an excellent record at Churchill Downs with a win, a second, and a third from three starts. Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, he could easily find himself in the winner’s circle if any of the top choices don’t bring their absolute best.
Longshot: (3) Antiquarian (15-1) – Trained by Todd Pletcher, this colt was a Grade 3 winner as a 3-year-old. He comes into this race off a sharp seven-furlong allowance win and has looked great on the works. If he can stretch out his speed effectively, he has the pedigree and connections to outrun his odds and potentially spice up the exotics.
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