Street Sense, Rags to Riches kick off Churchill fall meet

The fall meet at Churchill Downs kicks off Sunday with the first of two "Stars of Tomorrow," programs devoted exclusively to two-year-olds. But it will be hard to eclipse the impact of what transpired on the same card 12 months ago.

It was a momentous day in the evolution of the concept, as both the $200,000 Street Sense (G3) and $200,000 Rags to Riches S. were won by the eventual winners of the Kentucky Derby (G1) (Sovereignty) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) (Good Cheer). It was the first for the Street Sense, a 1 1/16-mile event which has attracted a field of seven for Sunday's renewal.

Trainer Kenny McPeek has the likely favorite in Universe, who has outrun expectations at long odds in both starts despite unfavorable starts. Universe hit the gate upon exiting in his Saratoga debut, though apparently not hard enough to prevent him from gaining early position en route to a 4 1/2-length decision.

Universe was bumped at the start of the Champagne (G1), lost considerable ground and position in the third quarter of the one-mile race, but re-rallied to finish third, though some distance off the winning Napoleon Solo. He is joined in the Street Sense by stablemate Very Connected, a track-and-distance maiden winner in the slop Sept. 21.

Ganaas is 2-for-2 in sprints, including an allowance at Churchill in September, but has the pedigree to handle the additional distance. The only other entrant with experience against winners is Vost, five lengths third in the Iroquois (G3).

Among the last-out maiden winners, Incredibolt and I Did I Did both won comfortably in their Churchill graduations, though the former arguably has more immediate upside.

The Street Sense will offer 2026 Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 to the respective top five finishers.

Life of Joy, one of seven fillies entered in the 1 1/16-mile Rags to Riches, has parallels with Good Cheer. Not only do both reside in the Brad Cox barn, but Life of Joy also kicked off her career with a professional victory in a maiden race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

A daughter of Gun Runner, Life of Joy hardly broke a sweat winning by 14 3/4 lengths. The waters are presumably much deeper at Churchill, but there is likely more to come.

McPeek saddles The Grumpy Rabbit and Go to Girl, the respective third- and fourth-place finishers in the Alcibiades (G1). Schuylerville S. winner Kingsolver might go here, rather than the Myrtlewood S. at Keeneland on Friday, while Americathegreat and Josie Joe exit a one-two finish in a Sept. 27 Churchill maiden over one mile.

The Rags to Riches offers Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 to the respective top five finishers.