Burnham Square returns in G3 Matt Winn
Churchill Downs media notes by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/Cathy Allinikov aerial photo of Burnham Square winning Keeneland’s G1 Toyota Blue Grass by a nose over East Avenue)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, June 6, 2025) – Whitham Thoroughbreds’ Burnham Square, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (Grade I) in early April, will return to action Sunday in the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs, looking to rebound from a tough trip in Kentucky Derby 151.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, Burnham Square finished sixth in the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) after encountering traffic trouble throughout the stretch, ultimately crossing the wire 10 ½ lengths behind Sovereignty.
“It was disappointing what happened in the Derby but we’re moving on now with him,” Wilkes said. “He’s put on some weight after the Derby and had a really good work leading into this race. We’re looking forward to getting him back to the races.”
Following the Derby, Wilkes sent Burnham Square to his string at the Skylight Training Center, located about 40 minutes from Churchill Downs. The gelded son of Liam’s Map had three works over their all-weather track: a half-mile in :48.80 on May 18, five furlongs in 1:00.40 on May 25 and a half mile in :48.40 on June 1.
Brian Hernandez Jr. will retain the mount and break from post No. 5.
“It’s a good field,” Hernandez Jr. said. “The horses in there are all accomplished in their own right and so are we.”
The Matt Winn is part of a Sunday stakes doubleheader, which also includes the $175,000 Leslie’s Lady Overnight Stakes in Race 5 at 2:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). The Matt Winn will go as Race 8 at 4:22 p.m. with first post scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
The complete lineup for the Matt Winn in order of post position (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):
- Gaming (Florent Geroux, Bob Baffert, 5-1)
- Final Gambit (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 5-2)
- Chunk of Gold (Jareth Loveberry, Ethan West, 6-1)
- Just a Fair Shake (Jaime Rodriguez, Daniel McKenzie, 15-1)
- Burnham Square (Hernandez, Wilkes, 7-2)
- Coal Battle (Corey Lanerie, Lonnie Briley, 9-2)
- East Avenue (Luis Saez, Brendan Walsh, 4-1)
Gaming is cross-entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita and shipped back to California on Tuesday.
Trainer Ethan West reported Chunk of Gold is likely to scratch from the Matt Winn and enter the June 21 Ohio Derby (GIII) at Thistledown.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Friday’s card at Churchill Downs featured a massive $429,717 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot that began in Race 4. First post was 12:45 p.m. … “Inside Churchill Downs” returns Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Louisville. The one-hour show will preview the action on Belmont Stakes Day as well as the weekend races at Churchill Downs. Fans can tune in on ESPN 680/105.7 in the Louisville area or worldwide at www.espnlouisville.com. … Saturday’s 11-race card at Churchill Downs will have watch party for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, which features Kentucky Derby 151 winner Sovereignty and Preakness Stakes winner Journalism. Post time for the Belmont Stakes is 7:04 p.m. … Sunday is Family Adventure Day with more than 15 kid-friendly activities for children under 12 to enjoy. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.churchilldowns.com. … For more information and to purchase tickets for the Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
