A compelling field of fillies and mares is set to contest this year’s edition of the Grade 3 Shawnee Stakes this Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The $275,000 race, run over 1 1/16 miles on the main track, has drawn a competitive group, with recent Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes winner Gin Gin and Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap runner-up Where’s My Ring likely to attract significant attention from bettors.
The Shawnee, carded as the 8th race with a post time of 4:23 PM ET, promises an intriguing clash of established graded stakes performers and up-and-coming distaffers.
Several other accomplished runners, including the millionaire mare Free Like a Girl and the consistent Hoosier Philly, are poised to make their presence felt in what shapes up to be a fascinating contest.
The Field
1. Where’s My Ring (5-2) Owned by Michael McMillan and trained by Peter Miller, this daughter of Twirling Candy enters off a strong third-place finish in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 12th. Before that, she destroyed an optional claiming field by 12 lengths going gate-to-wire. Last year, she won the G3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct in April 2024 before falling out of form.
While her Churchill Downs record shows one unplaced effort from one start, her current form against top-level company makes her a serious threat. As a plus, she gains the mount of world-class Luis Saez.
2. Corningstone (10-1) Trained by Kenneth McPeek for Payson Stud Inc and RTA Trust, Corningstone boasts a solid record at Churchill Downs with one win and three place finishes in four starts. The five-year-old Kantharos mare captured the listed Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park in January and the Mistletoe Stakes at the same track in December 2024.
She was last seen finishing fifth in the G3 Bayakoa Stakes. With Brian Hernandez Jr, who’s had previous success with her, returning to the irons, she could appreciate the return to a track she clearly favors.
3. Royal Spa (10-1) Breffni Farm’s Royal Spa, conditioned by Rodolphe Brisset, comes into the Shawnee off a victory in the Heavenly Cause Stakes at Laurel Park on April 12th. The five-year-old daughter of Violence has consistently faced stakes competition, including a second-place finish to Two Sharp in the G3 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs last November. Two Sharp recently won the G3 Winning Colors.
While her overall record at the distance is less proven with no wins from one start, her recent win and back class make her an interesting contender under champion jockey Flavien Prat.
4. Hoosier Philly (5-1) A Grade 2 winner at Churchill Downs as a juvenile in the Golden Rod Stakes, Gold Standard Racing Stable LLC’s Hoosier Philly has maintained a high level of performance. Trained by Tom Amoss, the Into Mischief mare was second in her last race, the Dig A Diamond Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 26th.
She also boasts a Grade 1 placing in the Beholder Mile earlier this year. Her affinity for the Churchill Downs surface (3 wins from 5 starts) and her proven class make her a significant player with Edgar Morales aboard.
5. Wild Bout Hilary (12-1) This four-year-old filly by Midnight Lute, owned by 5 Finger Racing and trained by Tracy Tanner, was a game winner of the G3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park in February, leading gate-to-wire, holding off Free Like a Girl by a head.
She subsequently finished a tiring fifth in the G1 Apple Blossom Handicap. Her early speed is her main weapon, and if jockey C.J. McMahon can control the pace, she could prove difficult to catch, though this will be her first start at Churchill Downs.
6. Alpine Princess (6-1) Trained by Brad Cox for Full of Run Racing and Madaket Stables, Alpine Princess is a consistent daughter of Classic Empire. She was second in the Top Flight Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct in her most recent start on April 12th and runner-up in the G3 Houston Ladies Classic in January.
Easy winner of the Remington Park Oaks last September, she has hit the board in numerous graded stakes. She won her only race at Churchill Downs in November 2023, and her overall consistency makes her a logical contender with Florent Geroux taking the call.
7. Gin Gin (7-2) The likely favorite, Calumet Farm’s Gin Gin, trained by Brendan Walsh, was an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland on April 18th, pressing the pace and drawing clear. Before that, the four-year-old Hightail filly was unplaced in an optional claiming race at Fair Grounds in January. As a three-year-old, she was third in the G3 Gazelle Stakes, which was won by Where’s My Ring.
With Jose Ortiz riding, her tactical speed and recent powerful score make her the one to beat. She has one win from four starts at Churchill Downs.
8. In Just My Heels (20-1) Owned by Anita Ebert Racing LLC and trained by Ronald Moquett, In Just My Heels enters off a third-place effort in the Dig A Diamond Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 26th, finishing behind Hoosier Philly.
Earlier this year, she won an allowance race at Oaklawn and was second in the Lapatourel Overnight Stakes at the same venue. The Midnight Lute filly has only raced once at Churchill Downs, but will have Joel Rosario in the saddle as a plus.
9. Free Like a Girl (4-1) A warrior of a mare, Free Like a Girl boasts an impressive lifetime record of 21 wins from 51 starts and earnings exceeding $2.5 million for owners Gerald Bruno Jr, Carl J Deville, and Chasey Deville Pomier, who also trains.
The six-year-old El Deal mare has been in stellar form, finishing second in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap (behind Thorpedo Anna and ahead of Where’s My Ring) and second in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park in her last two outings. While she has only one second from four starts at Churchill Downs, her class and current form are undeniable. Julien Leparoux gets the mount.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (7) Gin Gin (7-2). Her decisive victory in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland was visually impressive and earned a strong speed figure. With her tactical speed, she should be well-positioned throughout under Jose Ortiz, and her recent form suggests she is peaking at the right time.
Place: (9) Free Like a Girl (4-1). This remarkably consistent and high-earning mare rarely runs a bad race. Her runner-up finishes in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom and Grade 2 Azeri demonstrate she can compete at the highest levels. Her experience and tenacity make her a prime candidate to be in the thick of things.
Show: (1) Where’s My Ring (5-2). She has proven her quality after a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. While she was behind Free Like a Girl in that contest, her overall record in graded stakes is strong. If she handles the Churchill Downs surface better in her second attempt here, she’s a major factor.
Wildcard: (4) Hoosier Philly (5-1) She loves Churchill Downs (3 wins from 5 starts) and showed she’s back in good order with her runner-up finish in the Dig A Diamond. If the pace gets contentious, her mid-pack style could see her making a strong late move. Her back class as a Grade 2 winner here makes her dangerous.
Longshot: (2) Corningstone (10-1) She has an excellent record at Churchill Downs (4-1-3-0) and has shown she can win stakes races. While her last race was a bit below par, a return to her favorite track at a decent price could see her outrun her odds and hit the board.
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