Mercante, a seasoned competitor with a knack for finding the winner’s circle, and Brilliant Berti, a multiple stakes winner, are set to renew their rivalry in the Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs.
With a purse of $500,000, this 1 1/16-mile turf race has drawn a competitive field of four-year-olds and upward, with these two contenders likely to vie for favoritism.
The race, scheduled for 5:31 PM ET on Saturday, June 28, is the tenth race on the Churchill Downs card.
The presence of a couple of front-runners and stalkers in the field should set up a competitive pace on the turf course, making for an exciting contest for the win.
Spot On The Field
1) Henro (20/1) is a colt with a mixed record, showing flashes of brilliance in allowance races and then struggling against graded stakes competition. He has fallen out of form in his last two starts. His last graded stakes attempt was at the G3-Razorback H on February 23, 2025, at Oaklawn Park, where he finished tenth. He will have to step up his game to compete effectively against a much more challenging field.
2) Lagynos (6/1) has been a consistent performer, hitting the board in seven of his last ten starts. He comes into this race off two consecutive runner-up finishes in stakes races at Churchill Downs, including the G3 Arlington Stakes on May 31, 2025. His recent form is strong, and he is a legitimate contender, but he will need to find that little extra to secure his first graded stakes victory.
3) Mi Hermano Ramon (9/2) is an experienced turf runner with a record of 13 starts, four wins, three seconds, and a third. He finished second by a neck in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 26, 2025. He has a history of competing in top-level turf races, and his consistent performances make him a strong contender. He is well-rested, having last worked out on June 21, 2025.
4) Mercante (5/2) is a leading contender in this race, with a record of 13 starts, five wins, one second, and three thirds. He is coming off a win in the G3 Arlington Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 31, 2025, where he outdueled Brilliant Berti and Lagynos. His strong form and ability to win on the Churchill Downs turf course make him the one to beat. He has a stalking running style, which is a big advantage for this distance.
5) Event Detail (8/1) is an inconsistent but talented horse who has yet to win on turf in three tries. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the G3 Arlington Stakes behind Mercante and Brilliant Berti on May 31, 2025. He will need to improve on his previous turf efforts to be a factor in this race.
6) Taking Candy (8/1) has a strong record on turf, with 4 wins from 10 starts. He is coming into this race off a third-place finish in the G1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025. His consistent turf form and his ability to run well at Churchill Downs make him a solid contender. He is trained by Cherie DeVaux, who is having a great year at Churchill Downs with a 21% winning percentage.
7) Brilliant Berti (3/1) is a talented colt who has won five of his last seven starts. He finished second to Mercante in the G3 Arlington Stakes on May 31, 2025, after a furious stretch duel. His strong early pace gives him an advantage, but he will have to contend with Mercante again.
8) Fort Washington (6/1) is a seasoned turf specialist with 25 starts and 6 wins. He is coming off a win in the G3 Dinner Party Stakes on May 17, 2025, at Pimlico. His consistent performance and winning experience make him a strong contender in this field.
9) Seminole Chief (20/1) is another horse with a mixed record who has done well against lesser competition. He is a front-running horse who has won five of his ten starts. However, he finished ninth in his last graded stakes start, the G1 Shoemaker Mile, on May 26, 2025.
Spot On Picks
Win: (4) Mercante (5/2) – Comes into the race off a strong graded stakes win and has a running style that should suit him perfectly for this distance. He should stalk the early pace and pounce on the leaders in the stretch.
Place: (7) Brilliant Berti (3/1) – Has been a consistent winner and will likely set a strong early pace. If he can manage to hold off the late-running horses, he will be a major player in the stretch.
Show: (2) Lagynos (6/1) – Has consistently hit the board and has shown a strong late kick. He will be closing in the stretch and should be in the mix for a top-three finish.
Wildcard: (3) Mi Hermano Ramon (9/2) – A consistent runner at the highest level, he could pull off the win if the pace gets too hot between Mercante and Brilliant Berti.
Longshot: (6) Taking Candy (8/1) – He has shown flashes of brilliance on the turf and has a solid record at Churchill Downs. If he can get a clean trip, he has a shot to upset the favorites.
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