All eyes now on Splendora in Locust Grove

When trainer Mark Casse revealed last week that champion Nitrogen would be rerouted elsewhere, Splendora became the new favorite for the $400,000 Locust Grove (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Dynamic winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) and four of her five starts since, Splendora will break from post 1 in the 1 1/16-mile Locust Grove against five rivals. Dependent on her performance, the Locust Grove could serve as a springboard for Splendora to stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland.

The Bob Baffert trainee has been perfect in two-turn races this term, easily capturing the Beholder Mile (G1), Shawnee (G2), and Molly Pitcher (G2). Her win in the Shawnee, in which she made amends for a puzzling loss in the seven-furlong Derby City Distaff (G1), came at the expense of Immersive, the re-opposing champion juvenile filly of 2024. Immersive flattered the form with a re-rallying success in the Fleur de Lis (G2).

Simply Joking was no match for Splendora in the Beholder Mile, but her improved show of speed in three subsequent outings suggests she could potentially soften up the favorite. However, the daughter of Practical Joke was cross-entered in the Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream on Saturday, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Filly & Mare Sprint. 

Harrodsburg and Built, one-two in the June 27 Bango (G3) contested on a sloppy track, will have a rematch in the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. at 6 1/2 furlongs. Harrodsburg, who relishes off-going, has not run since, while Built was a smart winner of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) at Saratoga over subsequent Forego (G1) scorer Hymn. 

The $300,000 Open Mind S. for fillies and mares at six furlongs has attracted La Brea (G1) and Winning Colors (G3) heroine Usha, while 2025 Eight Belles (G2) heroine Look Forward is on the comeback trail following a 13-month layoff.