Splendora looks to continue two-turn success in $400K Locust Grove
Churchill Downs barn notes by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/John Gallagher photo of Splendora winning the G2 Shawnee Stakes)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, Sept. 11, 2026) – After winning last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade I), Boyd Racing and By Talla Racing’s Splendora will attempt to continue her success around two turns Saturday in the 42nd running of the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.
Splendora was one of the top female sprinters in 2025 following a campaign highlighted by her victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar. This year, the 5-year-old mare has proven equally effective around two turns, winning the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile (GI), Shawnee Stakes (GII) and Molly Pitcher Stakes (GII).
“She’s always been highly regarded by trainer Bob Baffert,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “She won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last year, and this year they tried her around two turns and found out she may be even better going two turns. I’m looking forward to her doing it again Saturday.”
Among Splendora’s challengers is Godolphin’s three-time Grade I winner Immersive, who has been away since her victory in the June 27 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII) at Churchill Downs.
“Immersive has been training very well at her home base at Churchill Downs,” said Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA. “(Trainer) Brad (Cox) was keen to keep her there, as she appears to run well out of her own stall. She has had the layoff by design to focus on an autumn campaign, which begins here in the Locust Grove.
“She was impressive with the way she knuckled down to win the Fleur de Lis. She is as consistent as a horse can be and always leaves it all on the track.”
Immersive was named the 2024 champion 2-year-old filly after victories in the Spinaway (GI), Alcibiades (GI) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI).
“We are expecting her to run well Saturday,” Banahan said. “Splendora will be the favorite, and she defeated Immersive comprehensively in their only other meeting, although hopefully the extra distance here will work in Immersive’s favor. If Splendora gets an easy lead, she will be hard to rein in, so we are hoping she will have some company on the front end.
“This is a prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, so as long as we get a nice effort and something to work off, we will be pleased.”
The Locust Grove, run at 1 1/16 miles, goes as the afternoon’s ninth race with a post time of 4:58 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.
The field for the Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):
- Splendora (Prat, Baffert, 3-5)
- Simply Joking (Juan Hernandez, Michael McCarthy, 6-1)
- Yes It Tiz (TBA, Cox, 5-1)
- Immersive (Saez, Cox, 3-1)
- Miss Authentic (Jose Ortiz, Eddie Kenneally, 20-1)
- Chilled (Mario Gutierrez, Vicki Oliver, 30-1)
Trainer Michael McCarthy reported Simply Joking would likely scratch from the field in favor of Saturday’s $225,000 Princess Rooney (GIII) at Gulfstream Park.
BASHFORD MANOR WINNER BLESSED FLYER JUMPS ON ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY IN SATURDAY’S IROQUOIS STAKES – Patricia’s Hope and Mark Farrar’s Bashford Manor Stakes (Listed) winner Blessed Flyer will take the next step in his young career when he faces eight rivals entered in Saturday’s 45th running of the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs, the kickoff leg on the Road to Kentucky Derby 153.
A 2-year-old son of Dialed In, Blessed Flyer has impressed in both of his career starts by gamely winning on debut at Keeneland, then rallying from six lengths off the pace to win the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs.
“He physically looks like he’ll handle more distance,” trainer Mike Tomlinson said. “Every time we’ve worked him, his gallop outs have impressed us and it gives a sign stretching him out to a mile in Saturday’s race shouldn’t be an issue.”
Blessed Flyer debuted with trainer Michel Douaihy but was purchased for $270,000 in the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale by Tomlinson, who acted as an agent for Farrar and Vince Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope.
The investment immediately worked for the group when he won the June 28 Bashford Manor and earned a sharp 93 Brisnet Speed Rating, one point better than Iroquois Stakes favorite Salahudin received when he victorious in the Aug. 9 Ellis Park Juvenile.
The Iroquois will go as Race 10 with a post time of 5:29 p.m. First post for the 11-race program is 12:45 p.m.
The field for the Iroquois from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):
- Caribbean Life (Flavien Prat, Will Walden, 6-1)
- Blessed Flyer (Brian Hernandez Jr., Tomlinson, 9-2)
- Bearamour (James Graham, Keith Desormeaux, 30-1)
- Admiral’s Order (Luan Machado, Ben Colebrook, 15-1)
- Real Goodbar (Manny Esquivel, Kenny McPeek, 10-1)
- Antivenom (Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse, 6-1)
- Salahudin (TBA, Bob Baffert, 8-5)
- He Is No Lie (Joel Rosario, Doug O’Neill, 5-1)
- Real Gone (Keith Asmussen, Patrick Biancone, 12-1)
The Iroquois kicks off the “Prep Season” on the Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 153 on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
The Iroquois also is part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series with the top three nominated finishers receiving a partial entry credit toward the Oct. 30, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Keeneland. The winner also receives an automatic berth to the Nov. 28 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at Churchill Downs.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Florent Geroux will be sidelined from riding for the foreseeable future after being unseated from Flip Flop Freak when the colt sustained a serious right front leg injury during Thursday’s fourth race at Churchill Downs. “I’m disappointed to be sidelined, but I’m looking forward to recovering and beginning my comeback,” Geroux said Friday morning via telephone from University of Louisville Hospital. “I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me for their continued prayers and support.” After evaluation by on-track veterinarians, Flip Flop Freak was humanely euthanized. … Green Lantern Stables’ Endrush earned a solid 89 Brisnet Speed Rating for his debut victory in Race 6 Thursday for trainer Eddie Kenneally. “He’s the half-brother to Grade I-winning sprinter A. P. Indian,” Kenneally said. “He’s not the quickest away from the gate but he has a lot of attributes that reminds me of A. P. Indian. But, being by Curlin, he’s shown some stamina in his preparation for this race.” … Friday’s 10-race card gets underway at 12:45 p.m. and includes carryovers of $342,979 in the Jackpot 8; $8,330 in the Super Hi-5; and $5,611 in the Derby City 6 Jackpot. The main track was sealed with back rakes to begin training Friday morning, then sealed after the second training break when more rain fell in the area. … Friday was First Responders Day as Churchill Downs saluted the service of local heroes, including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and emergency dispatchers. There was a special presentation of colors and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Kentucky State Police Honor Guard and KSP Officer Frank Russell. … “Inside Churchill Downs” airs Friday on ESPN 680/105.7. Join Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein as they preview Saturday’s card and give a look ahead to the rest of the September Meet. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live on www.espnlouisville.com.
