On Saturday, a field of eight sophomore fillies will vie for glory at the Fair Grounds in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes. This prestigious 1-mile, 70-yard race not only offers substantial prize money but also serves as a key qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks, awarding crucial points to the top five finishers.

A Pivotal Race That Will Shape the Future of These Promising Fillies

The Dominance of Elite Trainers

More than half of the entrants in the Silverbulletday hail from the stables of two renowned trainers—Brad Cox and Kenny McPeek. Cox, a two-time Eclipse Award winner, has previously tasted victory in the Kentucky Oaks with Monomoy Girl (2018) and Shedaresthedevil (2020). His experience and track record make him a formidable force in this competition. Meanwhile, McPeek enjoyed an outstanding year in 2024, achieving the rare feat of winning both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna.Cox enters two promising fillies into the fray. Juddmonte’s homebred Chasten, a daughter of Into Mischief, demonstrated remarkable resilience in her debut, securing a come-from-behind victory on November 30 at Churchill Downs. Joining her is California Sunset, owned by Gary and Mary West. Despite a third-place finish in the Untapable on December 21, she boasts a solid record of one win and one second place from three starts.McPeek counters with a trio of well-bred 3-year-olds. Leading the charge is Golden Gamble, who made a significant impression by breaking her maiden by nine lengths on November 24 at Churchill Downs. Her subsequent second-place finish in the Untapable underlines her potential. Also representing McPeek are Gowell’s Delight, a Practical Joke filly who broke her maiden convincingly by 5½ lengths on December 26, and She’s a Swede, who, after a challenging summer, emerged victorious in an off-the-turn maiden race on December 29.

Beckman's Strategic EntriesWhit Beckman adds a competitive edge with his entries, including Simply Joking, the morning-line favorite. This impressive maiden winner secured a narrow victory in the Letellier Memorial on December 21 and now aims to build on that success. Beckman also fields Drexel Hill, who transitioned from Canada to Louisiana, where she finished fifth in the Untapable. For this race, she will be outfitted with blinkers, potentially enhancing her performance.

Bless the Broken: An Outsider with Potential

Completing the field is Bless the Broken, trained by Will Walden. After placing seventh in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct, she was cross-entered in the Busanda at the same venue. Her presence adds another layer of intrigue to the race, as every filly vies for those coveted Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

The Importance of Qualifying Points

The Silverbulletday Stakes plays a pivotal role in determining which fillies advance closer to the Kentucky Oaks. The top five finishers will earn 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points, respectively. With post time set for 5 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on the Fair Grounds as these young talents showcase their prowess.

Insights for Horse Racing Enthusiasts

For those looking to place bets, the favorites include Golden Gamble, California Sunset, and Simply Joking. Each horse brings unique strengths and histories, making this race a thrilling spectacle. As the starting gate opens, the stage is set for an unforgettable contest that could shape the future of these promising fillies.