Salahudin hits the front to take the Iroquois, Jenny Doyle/Past The Wire
Churchill Downs Press
Zedan Racing Stables’ Salahudin is the early points leader on the 2027 “Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve” after the Uncle Mo colt overcame a slow start and rallied to win Saturday’s 45th running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs by a half-length over He Is No Lie. Caribbean Life was another 2 ¾ lengths back in third, Real Goodbar was fourth and Real Gone finished fifth.
Sent to post as the odds-on 4-5 betting choice, Salahudin – an Arabic masculine name that means “righteousness of the faith” – ran one mile over a fast track in 1:36.54 under replacement jockey Jose Ortiz for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Ortiz replaced regular rider Florent Geroux, who remained in stable condition at University of Louisville Hospital after a Thursday afternoon fall.
“We were thinking about Florent today,” Ortiz said. “I was able to watch the last two replays and see how Florent rode him and how he ran. He broke a little slow again today but got into a comfortable rhythm. He’s a big horse and takes a little time to get going into his best stride. But once he did, he kept finding more to get to the front.”
Salahudin, unbeaten in three starts, banked the $181,710 first prize and 10 points on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” that will determine the field for next year’s 153rd Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) on May 1, 2027 at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois was the first in a series of 36 select races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” and the top five finishing positions earned points on a sliding scale of 10-5-3-2-1, respectively.
Breaking from post position No. 5 in field of seven 2-year-olds, Salahudin was away slowly and spotted the field several lengths as Bearamour dictated the pace through early splits of :22.85 and :46.35 with He Is No Lie stalking from second. Salahudin only had Caribbean Life beat early on but began to move into contention around the turn with a sweeping four-wide move.
Salahudin, racing in the center of the track, poked his head in front of He Is No Lie, the Bashford Manor runner-up and Best Pal (GIII) fourth, with a furlong to the finish and grinded his way to the hard-fought triumph.
“I feel so bad for Florent being injured because he got him ready,” Baffert said. “Jose Ortiz got the horse into a nice rhythm. I’m glad he was able to take his time with him up the backside and not rush him.”
Salahudin paid $3.98, $2.82 and $2.10. He Is No Lie, under Joel Rosario at 9-2, returned $4.26 and $2.54. Caribbean Life, rallied with Flavien Prat up at odds of 2-1, paid $2.34 to show.
They were followed by Real Goodbar, Real Gone, Bearamour and Admiral’s Order. Antivenom and Blessed Flyer were scratched.
Salahudin, a Kentucky-bred, improved his record to 3-3-0-0—$392,172. Previously, he won the $250,000 Ellis Park Juvenile by 4 ½ lengths after winning his July 17 debut at the Henderson, Ky. track by two lengths.
“It’s been a perfect progression so far to get his career started,” Baffert said. “He’s continued to mature each start.”
The dark bay or brown colt was bred by Newstead Corp. and is out of the Smart Strike mare Weekend Strike.
The next races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby come Saturday, Oct. 3 with the $650,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland; $500,000 Champagne (GI) at Belmont Park; and $300,000 American Pharoah (GI) at Santa Anita.
Earlier on the 11-race Saturday card, 2-year-old colt Coach Pope – named for University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope, rolled to a jaw-dropping 12 ½-length maiden win in 1:35.77 under Ortiz. The son of Tapit, trained by Kenny McPeek, ran 0.77 faster than the experienced winner Salahudin.
IROQUOIS QUOTES
Jose Ortiz, jockey, Salahudin, winner: “We were thinking about Florent (Geroux) today. I was able to watch the last two replays and see how Florent rode him and how he ran. He broke a little slow again today but got into a comfortable rhythm. He’s a big horse and takes a little time to get going into his best stride. But once he did, he kept finding more to get to the front.”
Bob Baffert, trainer, Salahudin, winner: “I feel so bad for Florent (Geroux) being injured because he got him ready. Jose Ortiz got the horse into a nice rhythm. I’m glad he was able to take his time with him up the backside and not rush him. It’s been a perfect progression so far to get his career started. He’s continued to mature each start.”
Joel Rosario, jockey, He Is No Lie, runner-up: “I thought he ran a really good race today. Down the stretch I thought I could get the job done but (Salahudin) kept coming at us and got us late.”
MANUKA HONEY REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH TWO-LENGTH POCAHONTAS WIN
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Manuka Honey, seven-length winner of the $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante in her previous start, settled early and laid it down late to surge past Scarlett Begonia and Miss Anna by two lengths in Saturday’s 58th running of the $297,750 Pocahontas (Grade III) for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.
Manuka Honey ran one mile over a fast track in 1:36.90 to remain unbeaten for jockey Luis Saez, trainer Brian Lynch and owners Lisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch, Brian Howe and Terry Hamilton.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Upstart out of the Hold Me Back mare Drop Dead Red, Manuka Honey banked $181,710 for the win and is the early points-leader on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” after collecting 10 points. The Pocahontas was the first of 33 qualifying races to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) to be run April 30, 2027, and points were awarded to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.
Breaking from post No. 2 in the field of seven 2-year-old fillies, Manuka Honey relaxed in fourth and spotted early leaders Pierette, Scarlet Begonia and Miss Anna about three lengths down the backstretch through fractions of :23.03 and :45.70. As Pierette gave way around the turn, Manuka Honey tipped out to close within reach of Scarlet Begonia and Miss Anna. Still 1 ½ lengths behind in upper stretch, it wasn’t until the final 100 yards that Manuka Honey rushed past the twosome for her third straight win.
Manuka Honey (3-3-0-0—$383,981) paid $3.92, $2.48 and $2.10 as the 4-5 betting favorite. Scarlet Begonia won the photo for second under Flavien Prat at 3-1 and returned $3.34 and $2.54. Miss Anna, with Tyler Gaffalione up, was another head back in third and paid $2.94 to show at 5-1.
Stripe Show, Betty Sue, For the Win and Pierette completed the order of finish. Sweet Kathleen and Tahaluf were scratched.
Manuka Honey was bred by her co-owner Terry Hamilton.
POCAHONTAS QUOTES
Manuka Honey, jockey, Luis Saez, winner: “I’m really proud of her. She had to really fight to get by the leaders and she kept finding more for me late.”
Brian Lynch, trainer, Manuka Honey, winner: “She really had to work for it today. There was some stage there where I thought she had a task ahead of her. This filly just lays it down each time. We’re excited to see her stretch out a little bit more and get her to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Brad Cox trainer, Sweet Begonia, runner-up: “She ran well. It was a pretty contested pace up front and we’re proud she was able to hang around to grab second.”
SPLENDORA EASILY WINS FIFTH STAKES OF 2026 WITH LOCUST GROVE GALLOP
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Splendora, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade I) winner, continued her steady campaign around two turns with a comfortable wire-to-wire victory in Saturday’s 42nd running of the $326,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (GII) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Bob Baffert, Splendora ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.30 with her ears perked throughout after setting unpressured fractions of :24.28, :47.86 and 1:11.84 to defeat Yes It Tiz by 5 ¼ lengths. Immersive, the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2024, was third and Chilled was a distant last in a field reduced to four after Miss Authentic and Simply Joking were scratched.
The victory was worth $186,000 to Splendora and increased her earnings to $1,843,700 with a record of 10-4-0 from 16 starts for owners Boyd Racing LLC (Randy Boyd) and By Talla Racing LLC (Michael Talla).
This was the seventh stakes win of her career, and fifth in a six-race campaign this year. Her other 2026 victories came in the $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas (GII) and $300,000 Beholder Mile (GI) at Santa Anita; $300,000 Shawnee (GII) at Churchill Downs; and $500,000 Molly Pitcher (GII) at Monmouth Park. Her lone defeat came in the $1 million Derby City Distaff (GI) when she was fourth.
Splendora, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Audible out of the Frost Giant mare Miss Freeze, returned $2.40 and $2.10. Yes It Tiz, ridden by Jose Ortiz, paid $2.84. There was no Show wagering.
Splendora was bred by The Elkstone Group LLC.
The Locust Grove is named after the 1790 Georgian mansion in Louisville that played home to ancestors of Churchill Downs founder Col. M. Lewis Clark.
LOCUST GROVE QUOTES
Flavien Prat, jockey, Splendora, winner: “She was very impressive again today. She broke well and traveled easily on the lead and showed her class once again.”
Randy Boyd, co-owner, Splendora, winner: “We’re very thankful for Mike Talla for allowing us to buy into her. He’s a great friend and we’re enjoying sharing this success with him. We wanted to have a small but quality broodmare band. We have a couple of great horses now between Vahva and Seismic Beauty. Splendora will probably be joining them sometime in the near future. We hope now she can take us to the Breeders’ Cup.”
BUILT WINS AGAIN, TAKES DOWN $300,000 LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Alfred G. Vanderbilt (Grade II) winner Built remained in top form with a 1 ½-length win over 48-1 longshot Echo Again in Saturday’s fifth running of the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society at Churchill Downs.
Built clocked 6 ½ furlongs over a fast track in 1:16.28. Flavien Prat rode the winner for trainer Wayne Catalano and owner Aron Wellman’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
Away from post No. 4, Built tracked in third behind pacesetter Harrodsburg, who was making his first start in 11 weeks since defeating Built in the $275,000 Bango (GIII) in June. Winging it from the rail, Harrodsburg zipped an opening quarter-mile in :22.28 with Jack’s Promise pressing every step of the way. Around the turn, Built easily sidled up three-wide to take the lead. After a half-mile in :44.69, Built kicked clear inside the final three-sixteenths of a mile and had enough left to hold off the closing Echo Again.
This was the third stakes win for the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Hard Spun. In addition to winning the $400,000 Vanderbilt at Saratoga on July 25, Built won the $100,000 Gun Runner at Fair Grounds as a 2-year-old.
Built rewarded his backers with $3.32, $2.70 and $2.10 as the 3-5 favorite. Echo Again closed from fourth to pay $23.54 and $8.18 while being ridden by Jaime Torres. Dreaminblue, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, was another two lengths back in third and returned $4.32 to show.
Jack’s Promise, Keep It Easy and Harrodsburg completed the order of finish. Cat On Time was eased shortly after the start, did not finish and received a van ride back to his barn. Here Mi Song was scratched.
Built, out of the Curlin mare Sea Garden, won for the seventh time in his 15-race career. The $183,450 payday jumped his earnings to $883,146.
Next up will be an engagement in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
Bentornato won last year’s Louisville Thoroughbred Society and the BC Sprint at Del Mar.
The race is named for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, which opened for regular hours of operation in March 2021. The Louisville Thoroughbred Society is Louisville’s only on-site wagering by Churchill Downs in the heart of Louisville’s metropolitan scene. The premier club for Thoroughbred enthusiasts is open for private membership applications, and reservations for special events are being accepted. For more information, visit www.thelouisvillethoroughbredsociety.com.
LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY QUOTES
Flavien Prat, jockey, Built, winner: “He broke well today and was pretty keen up the backside but traveling very easily doing so. When I asked him down the lane he was still fighting for me.”
Wayne Catalano, trainer, Built, winner: “It was a great prep this afternoon. He was doing well coming into the race and ran like it. He broke slow a couple of times but was much better today. Now we just need to keep everything together for the big one in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) next month.”
DETERMINED USHA BOUNCES BACK TO WIN $268,500 OPEN MIND
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A determined Usha battled gamely along the inside rail and turned back a late charge from Look Forward to win Saturday’s 17th running of the $268,500 Open Mind (Listed) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length.
Ridden by Flavien Prat for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Usha ran six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.55.
Following a subpar third at Saratoga in the $200,000 Johnstone for New York-breds, Usha rebounded to collect her third career stakes win. Last December, she took the $300,000 La Brea (Grade I) at Santa Anita and won the $250,000 Winning Colors (GIII) at Churchill Downs in June.
On Saturday, Usha was forwardly placed away from post No. 1 and relaxed in third behind pacesetter Modo and stablemate Cash Call as the leader rattled off early quarter mile splits of :22.53 and :45.62. Usha was set down for her best run with three-sixteenths of a mile to finish, grabbed the lead inside the sixteenth-mile pole and fought off a driving Look Forward, the winner of last year’s Eight Belles (GII), for the victory.
Usha, owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, banked the $151,900 first prize and improved her record to 13-5-2-4—$718,270.
Usha returned $5.08, $3.12 and $2.36 as the 3-2 favorite. Look Forward, ridden by Joel Rosario, returned $3.62 and $2.60 at 2-1 with Cash Call another 1 ¾ lengths back in third under Jose Ortiz and paying $2.48 to show at 4-1.
Benedetta was fourth and was followed by Modo, Asternia and Flat Out Time.
Usha is a 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law out of the Leroidesanimaux mare Animal Appeal and was bred in New York by Esler & Raine.
Saturday’s race saluted the late Eugene Klein’s Hall of Fame filly Open Mind, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained winner of the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Churchill Downs who returned to the Louisville track the following spring to win the Kentucky Oaks. The New Jersey-bred filly was an Eclipse Award champion at ages two and three. A winner of 12 races and $1,844,372 in 19 starts, the daughter of Deputy Minister was enshrined in Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
Flavien Prat, jockey, Usha, winner: “She broke well and I tried to get her to the outside, but she felt comfortably traveling there and I didn’t want to change it. She came through the rail and ran a good race.”
OPEN MIND QUOTES
Bob Baffert, trainer, Usha, winner, Cash Call, third: “(Usha) just didn’t show up last time in New York, but she came back here and trained really well out of it. I didn’t like her drawing the inside because she doesn’t really like being down there. We wish she would’ve run one-two with Cash Call, but they both ran well.”
