Dr. Venkman, a five-year-old gelding returning to the track after a two-month layoff, headlines a competitive field in the Grade 3 Kelly’s Landing Stakes at Churchill Downs.
He will face several formidable contenders in the 6 ½ furlong sprint, including the consistent winner Booth and the late-running Durante, who recently won the G3-Aristides. The race carries a purse of $250,000, including $50,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The race, scheduled as the ninth on the card with a post time of 4:58 PM ET, features a deep field of contenders, and with Dr. Venkman’s long layoff, it could provide an opportunity for an upset. The pace of the race will be a key factor in who will be in the winner’s circle.
Spot On The Field
1) Dr. Venkman (5/2) returns to the track after a two-month break. The five-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency, boasting a career record of 7-3-3-0. He finished a non-threatning second to Nysos in his lone start this year. He has been working out at Santa Anita, and his recent drills suggest he is ready to fire. With a Beyer par of 100, he will be a formidable contender to beat.
2) Three Technique (10/1) is an eight-year-old horse that has been a frequent competitor in graded stakes races. He has not run since his disappointing 12th-place finish at the BC Dirt Mile in November but has been a consistent worker in the mornings. Has good experience at Churchill, with a record of 12-3-2-3, earning $594,286. The long layoff will be a concern for this veteran runner.
3) Booth (2/1) has been on a tear, winning the last four of his five starts in 2025. He is a front-running sprinter who will look to dictate the pace. He has been competing in similar graded stakes races and has consistently won. He has a TimeformUS Early Pace rating of 133, which is significantly higher than that of his competitors, and if he can secure an uncontested lead, he will be tough to catch.
4) Roll On Big Joe (3/1) is another consistent sprinter with a great record in 2025, with three wins and a second from four starts. He is coming off a win against similar competition at Churchill Downs in the OC 175k/c-N. He has a running style that allows him to either set the pace or stalk it, making him a versatile contender. His last five wins have come when setting the pace.
5) Otto the Conqueror (15/1) has had a decent year in 2025, with a third-place finish in two starts. He has a record of four wins from twelve starts and earnings of over $500,000. He will be a pace factor in the race and has a TimeformUS Early Pace rating of 124. He will need a strong performance to overcome the top contenders.
6) Happy Is a Choice (10/1) is a five-year-old gelding who has run well in graded stakes races, with a record of six wins, a second, and five show finishes in 16 starts. He has been in the money in all four of his 2025 starts, with a show finish in the G3-Aristides at Churchill Downs. He is coming off a show performance in his most recent start on May 31. He has a TimeformUS Pace rating of 93 Early and 91 Late. He is an off-the-pace runner, and he should have enough pace to run at to make a difference in this race.
7) Red Flag (15/1) is a seven-year-old gelding with a lifetime record of 6 wins from 20 starts and earnings of over $493,000. He has been in the money in four of his five of his 2025 starts, with two wins, and is coming off a show finish at Hawthorne. He has a TimeformUS Pace rating of 78 Early and 93 Late. He is a late runner, and if the pace is hot up front, he could make a late surge and surprise the favorites.
8) Durante (8/1) is a six-year-old gelding who recently won the G3-Aristides at Churchill Downs. He has been very consistent in 2025, with two wins and two thirds in his five starts. He has a record of 10 wins from 38 starts, with earnings of over $821,000. He has a TimeformUS Pace rating of 101 Early and 78 Late. He is a pace setter, but he has been successful from stalking the pace.
Spot On Picks
Win: (3) Booth (2/1) – Has been on fire in 2025, winning four of his five starts. He has the highest early pace rating in the race and should be able to dictate the pace and hold off the late runners.
Place: (1) Dr. Venkman (5/2) – The morning line favorite is coming off a long layoff, but his workouts have been sharp, and he has consistently performed well against similar competition. He should be able to stalk the pace and make a run for the win.
Show: (6) Happy Is a Choice (10/1) – A consistent runner who always seems to be in the money. He’s an off-the-pace horse who will thrive on a hot pace. He could be in a good position to take advantage of a meltdown up front.
Wildcard: (4) Roll On Big Joe (3/1) – He has been a pace factor and could spoil the race if he can get an uncontested lead. He has been winning his races from the front, so if Booth and Otto the Conqueror fail to fire, he could take them all the way.
Longshot: (7) Red Flag (15/1) – This veteran runner has been a consistent performer in graded stakes, and he has been in the money in all of his starts this year. He has the late-running style that could be a major factor in the race.
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