Taken by the Wind breezes to victory in Pocahontas

Taken by the Wind, trainer Kenny McPeek’s latest bargain purchase, was a dominant winner Saturday of the $251,250 Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first race in the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series.

While several rivals attempted to win the Pocahontas with outside bids, Taken by the Wind was wisely kept in a ground-saving position by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Advancing from midpack, the Florida-bred split rivals in the two path in upper stretch and coasted home to a 5 1/4-length victory in a strung-out field of seven two-year-old fillies.

“She ran like an older filly today,” Ortiz said.

Owned in partnership by Sherri McPeek’s Magdalena Racing, Terry Bradshaw, and Graham Leveston, Taken by the Wind covered one mile over a fast track in 1:36.50. Miss Complicated, the post-time favorite at 9-5, finished second by 2 1/2 lengths over Joke Maker.

The order of finish was rounded out by Dazzling Dame, Our Two Girls, Embrace the Moment, and Starlit Sky.

This was a record-extending fifth Pocahontas win for Kenny McPeek, who previously won the race with Dothraki Queen (2015), Daddys Lil Darling (2016), Fun and Feisty (2022), and V V’s Dream (2023).

Taken by the Wind, who was bought for a mere $20,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October sale, has now earned $180,710. She debuted at Saratoga on Aug. 21, winning by three lengths in an optional maiden claimer that was transferred from the turf to the dirt and held over seven furlongs.

Taken by the Wind is the first stakes winner sired by 2021 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Rock Your World. She was produced by Up for Grabs, a daughter of First Samurai.

Taken by the Wind earned 10 qualifying points towards the 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1). Miss Complicated earned five points, Joke Maker three points, Dazzling Dame two points, and the McPeek-trained Our Two Girls one point.