The Slugger’s Breeder’s Bowl

Thanks for joining us on Bluegrass Derby Day, for the 2026 edition of The Slugger’s Breeder’s Bowl. Plenty of elite talent in today’s field, looking to take home the beautiful trophy and get their picture taken next to that field of roses. This experienced group is sure to put on a spectacular display of competitiveness at every moment. Let’s introduce the field and get to more about your contenders. 

The Field:

#1 NIJINSKY TAP – (TAPIT X SMART STRIKE X NIJINSKY)

            Canyongate Racing Stables (varsity)

            Major Wins: G3 The Khartoum Challenge II

Another in here with some really eccentric late turn of foot. Rolled over a group in UAE 2 back, rallying from over 12 lengths behind, to win pulling away by 3. Not quite the same last out, but has been very consistent throughout this recent cycle. He’s facing a tough group, but has plenty in the tank when coming down the stretch. Would love to see a couple of these battling for the lead.

#2 JAMISONTAP AGAIN – (TAPIT X AWESOME AGAIN X STORM CAT)

            James34 Racing Stables (james44)

Major Wins: G1 Middle Jewel Stakes, G2 The Slugger’s Breeder’s Bowl, G2 Moises Alou Cap

The returning champion from last year’s event, has fallen on hard times recently. 0 for 7 since that last triumph, and hasn’t really been involved in any of them. This son of G1 winning, $5 Mill earner Jamison Again, has lots of back class! His most recent can strike up a little batch of confidence for his trainer though, as he rallied for second place finish, behind runaway winner Niner Ghost Song. Seems to be an uphill climb coming, unless they can all come back to him like last year. Not likely to happen that way again.

#3 THE HAMBLETONIAN – (AUTHENTIC X SEEKING THE GOLD X BROAD BRUSH)

Sjmeola Racing Stables (sjmeolawc) – Orphan Racing

Major Wins: G1 Desert Stamina Cup, G2 No Surrender Stakes, G2 The Buckeye Stayer (x2), G2 The Grey Fox

Interesting fella here. Here we have a silky-smooth distance runner with top class talent cutting WAY back in distance, a track that he has not ran since December 2023. Had a heartbreaking defeat to EOY Award Winner SEA DRAGON HUNTER in the Breeders’ Bowl Dirt marathon. He followed that up with back-to-back romps before taking his first defeat of the year in his most recent attempt, the G1 Cayuga Lake Special. Is a vital key to the race, but must be able to keep up with these more miler specialized colts.

#4 SECRET STRATEGY – (CURLIN X TAPIT X A.P. INDY)

            Oakridge Racing Stables (alibilane44) – The Mecca

            Major Wins: G2 The Gold War Front Cup

The gelding option really seemed to wake this guy up while a 3yr old. He’s been running a tremendous amount of terrific SP numbers that puts him in contention here, although he’s still just 4 for 22 lifetime. Was a disappointing effort last out but previous bunch were all solid. Running style seems to suit with what he’ll be matched up against, but will he be ready? He will look to get a jump on the late closers in hope of finding the finish line first.

#5 WAR OF GOLD – (WAR OF WILL X BERNARDINI X SEEKING THE GOLD)

            Oakridge Racing Stables (oakridge0) – The Mecca

            Major Wins: The Mecca Dirt Mile, Summer Juvenile Stakes

Not sure what happened in latest, but this 4yr old gelding out of War of Will was super hot in the second half of last year. Has shown really good turn of foot out of the gate in all of his success stories and anticipate another forwardly placed effort here, maybe even showing the field the way. A repeat of the efforts in the Mecca Dirt Mile, and the ALW NW6L two back, might get him the win here.

#6 STREET DISTRICT – (STREET SENSE X PIONEEROF THE NILE X HARLAN’S HOLIDAY)

            Francua4 Racing Stables (francuahot1) – GR Simsters

            Major Wins: G2 LA Derby

Top points earner in the field hasn’t crossed the line first in a race since September 2024, as a 3yr old. That being said, he’s now 5yrs old and has been facing some top-class company ever since the end of his 3yr old campaign, and has put forth some excellent efforts that include near misses in the G1 GoodyGood and the G2 Lewis and Clark Stakes. Has shown some serious kick over fast paces in the past, and this is a field he could circle around if they come back to him. Despite disappointing finishes in two recent, his numbers fit with this group.

#7 DAN DIXIE VENTURE – (CHURCHILL X DYNAFORMER X KINGMAMBO)

            Legions Racing Stables (danknight) – Universal Racing Club

            Major Wins: G2 Bertrando Handicap, G3 The Not Far Stakes

One of a few regally bred turf pedigrees in here that seem to thrive of the traditional dirt. Has 4 wins and a near miss to his credit in his last 6 races, and comes in on a 2 race win streak. Sports consistent 110+ SP numbers. This will be his first crack in a G1 race, but after watching his last two Graded attempts, I see no reason why he couldn’t step up big. One nick will be the fact that he’s making a long travel from across the pond for this.

#8 EDESSA EMPIRE – (FROSTED X TIZNOW X HALO)

            Oakridge Racing Stables (alibilane4) – The Mecca

            Major Wins: Bluegrass Juvenile

Gives graded company another attempt after posting a couple of career best efforts in his last two appearances. Those came against much lesser company then he will be facing today but will look to continue that trend to contend with this group. Owner put him up for $100k two back, but he really smoked that group and has given his owner some confidence in here. Must buck his history against the open stakes and graded company to overcome.

#9 CALAHARIS – (CONNECT X BLAME X SAINT BALLADO)

            Oakridge Racing Stables (oakridge10) – The Mecca

            Major Wins: Runaway T Dirt Sprint

Been poking around the claiming ranks these days, and fell to as little as $2000. A return entrant from last years’ edition, was running pretty evenly before the layoff. This will be the second start off the layoff and is eligible to improve off the last effort. Still going to be a pretty daunting task, but his trainer is loading this one up with talent. Hoping to turn back the hands of time, being a 7yr old now, in an attempt to shock the world.

#10 JUST THE KING – (JUSTIFY X KINGMAMBO X DANZIG)

            Tenpoint Racing Stables (justasr) – Orphan Racing

Major Wins: ASR Derby

After a few flat runs to end last year and to start this year, this guy woke back up with a solid win when returning to the Allowance level. Ships back in to the states from UAE for this. Has found the Graded levels a bit too much for him over the years with the exception of a couple hard charging thirds to his credit. Can put in some good late strides if the pace seems to falter up top, but seems a cut below the top choices here.

#11 TRY TO STAY TRUE – (NO NAY NEVER X WAR FRONT X GIANT’S CAUSEWAY)

            Spinround Racing Stables (thevillage) – Empire State Racing

            Major Wins: Annual Home Dirt Mile

Seems like the trainer really wanted a turf runner here, and pushed that hard in his early runs. And one would agree with that pedigree. Has really taken to the dirt since switching their full time in December of 2023, where he reeled off 2 wins and 2 second place finishes in his next 4 outings. Was very inconsistent last year, and obviously didn’t like the mud in those 2 tries. Showed some uncharacteristic early speed last out, that might be a decent strategy here. Has the capable speed numbers to compete with these.

#12 FAKE NORTH – (CHARLATAN X MEDAGLIA D’ORO X SEEKING THE GOLD)

            Supertaffy Racing Stables (babychicks) – Midas Racing

            Major Wins: G3 Barbara Walters

This 4yr old colt by Charlatan had himself pretty decent 2 and 3yr old campaigns. Scored big last April in the Barbara Walters, rallying from over 6 lengths back to take the win. Put up a career best effort 3 back, when finishing third in the Bone Roaming Dirt Special. Facing elders hasn’t been to kind to him yet. He would love to get a nice boost in his third run of his 4yr old campaign, and he’s going to need it as he seems a notch below these on paper.

#13 EYERIDER – (CANDY RIDE X AWESOME AGAIN X DYNAFORMER)

            Robscoobi Racing Stables (scoobisgold1) – Orphan Racing

            Major Wins: Oblivious Halo Dirt Mile

Tackling Graded company for the first time since he was a 3yr old, where he was on the Bluegrass Derby trail after a solid third in the G1 All Saints Derby lock race. Now 6, with 29 races under his belt, makes him one of the most experience in the race. Been picking up checks through the ALW and Listed Stakes fields on a regular. Back to back solid efforts in most recent Stakes action sets him up well for his comeback to this level. Mid-pack prowess could set him up for a strong effort down the lane.

#14 ADMIRAL JELLICOE – (SIYOUNI X KINGMAN X GALILEO)

            Fredje Racing Stables (fredjedk) – Universal Racing Club

            Major Wins: G3 The New Jersey Cup, URC Godolphin Mile, URC Whitney Stakes

This 6yr old, with stellar turf pedigree, will be hoping to find a few of these battling for the lead to utilize a mighty fine closing kick he sports. He closed out last year with a couple of flat efforts, but in his couple runs this year, he’s been able to show some of that better form. Last win came nearly 10 months ago, so he must continue to build of the current cycle. Was the beaten favorite, finishing 4^th in his most recent, a residency restricted stakes and draws the outside post here to boot.

Handicapping the field:

Lots of good options. Most of these utilize a similar running style so it’s going to come down to form. Going to use #7 Dan Dixie Venture as my top selection. Without any standout speed in here, the forwardly placed style he possesses should give him a jump on the late arrivers. To round out my exacta and tri, use #1 Nijinsky Tap and #14 Admiral Jellicoe.