Skippylongstocking vs. Baeza in a spectacular edition of the Alysheba Stakes
- Turf Diario
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The trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. aims to continue his phenomenal streak, now at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Just two weeks after the victory achieved by White Abarrio(Race Day) in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. returns to the international spotlight. This time, the challenge moves to Churchill Downs, where this Friday he will send out a powerful duo in the Alysheba Stakes(G2, $750,000), a contest that, despite its grading, features a field with the unmistakable scent of a G1.
The main card for the South Florida stable is the ageless Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator). Defending the colors of Daniel Alonso, the veteran of a thousand battles with over $5.7 million in earnings arrives at the peak of his maturity after stringing together three consecutive victories. He is coming off a display of power in the Essex Handicap (G3), where he won by more than 5 lengths, following his career-defining victory over White Abarrio himself in January's Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1). With Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, the 7-year-old bay appears as a formidable obstacle for his rivals.
However, the path to the winner's circle will be no easy stroll. The morning-line favoritism (5-2) falls on the talented Baeza, one of the top performers of the previous generation, who will be making his 2026 season debut. Now under the care of Bill Mott—following the heartfelt passing of the legendary John Shirreffs—the son of McKinzie looks to return to the winning form that took him to the top in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). He will be guided by Junior Alvarado, forming a highly trusted tandem for the Hall of Fame trainer.
The field is rounded out by names that would headline any official program. Tappan Street (Tapit), winner of last year's Florida Derby (G1), will attempt to bounce back after a misstep in the Pegasus under the direction of Brad Cox. Likewise, East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), the brilliant winner of the Breeders' Futurity (G1), will seek his first impact of the year after finishing second to Nu What's New (Munnings) in his recent outing at Oaklawn Park.
The list of entries also includes the rising Corporate Power (Curlin), coming off a great effort in the New Orleans Classic (G2), and Navajo Warrior, a son of the Argentine crack Candy Ride, a former claiming horse now seeking a feat on the stakes stage with Francisco Arrieta at the reins. The presence of Disruptor (Gun Runner) and Grande(Curlin), both under the wing of Todd Pletcher, remains in doubt pending potential route changes toward other stakes commitments during Derby week.
With June's Stephen Foster (G1) on the horizon for the top finishers, the Alysheba Stakes is shaping up to be a high-level tactical battle. It will be a litmus test for Skippylongstocking in his quest to confirm that, currently, he is one of the best distance horses on the U.S. dirt, facing a young guard unwilling to yield an inch of ground on the legendary Louisville track.
