Arkansas Derby Winner Cyberknife Leads Field in Sunday's Grade III, $225,000 Matt Winn

Jun 09, 2022 Churchill Downs Communications

Gold Square’s Grade I winning colt Cyberknife headlines a field of seven 3-year-olds that were entered in Sunday’s $225,000 Matt Winn Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

The 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn will go as Race 8 with a post time of 4:22 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.

The Matt Winn annually serves as the next stop for many horses than ran in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI). Cyberknife, trained by Brad Cox, finished 18^th in the Kentucky Derby under jockey Florent Geroux.

“In the Derby the pace was very fast and something he may never have to experience again,” Geroux said. “I think the Matt Winn is a good spot for him to get some of his confidence back. He’s been doing well out of the Derby and should have a better pace setup in this race than he had to deal with in the Derby.”

Cyberknife, who won the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (GI) in his final prep toward the Kentucky Derby, has never won at Churchill Downs but has been based beneath the Twin Spires for most of his career. The son of Gun Runner finished second twice at Churchill as a 2-year-old before he broke his maiden at Fair Grounds. Following the Kentucky Derby, Cyberknife has recorded three published works prior to the Matt Winn. Geroux will once again be aboard for Sunday’s race and break from post No. 6.

Here’s the field for the Matt Winn from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Trafalgar (Colby Hernandez, Al Stall Jr.); Tough to Tame (Jose Lopez, Chris Davis); Camp David (Tyler Gaffalione, Rodolphe Brisset); Howling Time (Joe Talamo, Dale Romans); Droppin G’s (Rafael Bejarano, Jerry Antonuik); Cyberknife (Geroux, Cox); and Rattle N Roll (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek).

TWO-TIME STAKES WINNER PRETTY BIRDIE TOPS $160,000 LESLIE’S LADY OVERNIGHT STAKES – Marylou Whitney Stables’ multiple stakes-winning filly Pretty Bridie, the narrow runner-up finisher in last month’s $500,000 Eight Belles (Grade II), leads a compact field of five that entered Sunday’s $160,000 Leslie’s Lady Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Run at seven furlongs, the inaugural running of the Leslie’s Lady will go as Race 2 with a post time of 1:14 p.m. First post of nine is 12:45 p.m.

Trained by Norm Casse, Pretty Bridie won the $150,000 Purple Martin and last year’s $150,000 Schuylerville (GIII) as a 2-year-old. The speedy daughter of Bird Song finished 2 ¼ lengths behind Matareya in the Eight Belles after she grudgingly relinquished the lead at the top of the stretch. Jockey Florent Geroux will have the call from post No. 5.

Chief among Pretty Birdie’s rivals in the Leslie’s Lady is Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Eight Belles third-place finisher Wicked Halo. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Wicked Halo won the Adirondack Stakes (GII) last year at Saratoga. The now 3-year-old daughter of Gun Runner was defeated by Pretty Birdie by about three lengths in the Purple Martin and two lengths in the Eight Belles. Leading rider Tyler Gaffalione has the mount and drew post 2.

Here is the complete field for the Leslie’s Lady from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Baby Blue Eyes (Joe Talamo, Phil Sims); Wicked Halo (Gaffalione, Asmussen); Runnin Happy (Mitchell Murrill, Eric Heitzmann); Sweet as Pie (Ricardo Santana Jr., Todd Pletcher); and Pretty Birdie (Geroux, Casse).

CAROTARI MADE 7-5 FAVORITE IN SATURDAY’S $160,000 MIGHTY BEAU OVERNIGHT STAKES – Five-time stakes winner Carotari was made the 7-5 morning line favorite over defending champion Just Might (2-1) in Saturday’s sixth running of the $160,000 Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Owned by William Branch and trained by Brian Lynch, Carotari cruised to a 1 ½-length win in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint in his last start. Previously, the 6-year-old gelding recorded wins in the $100,000 Janus Stakes, $75,000 Silks Run and $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint. Carotari finished third in last year’s Mighty Beau. He’ll be ridden in this year’s edition by Florent Geroux from post No. 4.

Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell’s well-seasoned Just Might was the one-length winner of last year’s Mighty Beau. Just Might’s victory in the Mighty Beau started a four-race win streak for the son of Justin Phillip. The chestnut gelding also recorded victories in the $100,000 Da Hoss and $100,000 Chesapeake at Colonial Downs and the $275,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society at Churchill Downs. Overall, Just Might has recorded 10 victories though 36 starts. Five of his wins were on dirt and the other five on turf. He’ll be ridden in Saturday’s Mighty Beau by Rafael Bejarano from post No. 2.

The five-furlong Mighty Beau, run over the Matt Winn Turf Course, is scheduled as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:26 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m. Racing Saturday and Sunday on the Matt Winn Turf Course will be conducted in Lane 2, 12 feet from the inside rail.

Here’s the Mighty Beau field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Major Wager (Edgar Morales, Anna Meah, 20-1); Just Might (Bejarano, Lovell, 2-1); Baytown Bear (Odhair Mayta, Paul McEntee, 30-1); Carotari (Geroux, Lynch, 7-5); Johnny Unleashed (Gerardo Corrales, Eric Foster, 8-1); Oceanic (Julien Leparoux, Jordan Blair, 10-1); Smokin’ Jay (Adam Beschizza, Kelsey Danner, 9-2); Creative Credit (Rey Gutierrez, T.R. Haehn, 30-1); and Charcoal (Joe Talamo, Tracey Wisner, 15-1).

Saturday’s National Weather Service forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high of 81.

Wagering for the Mighty Beau, and every race from Churchill Downs, is available on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.

DERBY CITY 6 MANDATORY PAYOUT SET FOR SUNDAY – The 20-cent Derby City 6 will have a mandatory payout for racing Sunday at Churchill Downs.

The jackpot wager, which has not had a solo winning ticket since it was paid on Kentucky Derby Day, had a carryover of $281,226 into racing Thursday (Races 3-8).

The Derby City 6 has a 15% takeout and if there are no single winning tickets, 90% of the daily pool will get paid out and 10% will carryover. If there are no winning tickets, the entire pool is carried over.

Racing on Sunday will have a first post of 12:45 p.m. and entries will be released Thursday afternoon.

For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com/derbycity6.

CHURCHILL DOWNS LIVE AVAILABLE ON SMART TVs – The Churchill Downs LIVE app is available free of charge on streaming services such as Amazon, Apple TV and Roku. Fans can download the Churchill Downs LIVE app for full access to a free HD live stream of the Churchill Downs simulcast signal and three additional angles including the saddling paddock.

Fans will get analysis each race day from expert handicapper/host Joe Kristufek who will be joined alongside Kaitlin Free, James Scully, Scott Shapiro and Brandon Stauble.

Wagering is available on www.TwinSpires.com, the official ADW of Churchill Downs Incorporated. and the Kentucky Derby.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Sunday is Military Appreciation Day. Veterans and active military members will receive free general admission with a valid military I.D. Military members will also receive a special $32 Millionaires Row ticket by calling (502) 636-4450. Nashville recording artist and Top 8 The Voice Season 21 contestant Lana Scott will sing the National Anthem between Races 3-4 at approximately 1:55 p.m. For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

• Promotion: Twilight Thursday – $2 select domestic can beer, live music (Southern Sirens), food trucks (Sweet N Savory; Bamba Eggrolls; Good Belly; Copper Kitchen; Flavorville; and Lil Cheezers)
• Racing: 8 Races; Day 25 of 44
• Gates Open: 4 p.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 5-8:23 p.m.
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): Fast/Firm
• Carryovers:
  • 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot ($281,226)
• Featured Races:
  • Race 2 (5:29 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 2yo, 5 F
  • Race 7 (7:54 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, 3&up, 1 1/8 M
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • Bel 3 (4:09 p.m.) – $200,000 Wonder Again (GII), 3yo f, 1 1/8 M (T)
  • Bel 6 (5:43 p.m.) – $150,000 Astoria, 2yo f, 5 ½ F
  • Bel 8 (6:45 p.m.) – $150,000 Tremont, 2yo, 5 ½ F
• Milestone Watch:
  • Trainer Rusty Arnold (396 Churchill Downs wins) – no entries Thursday
  • Jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. (97 Churchill Downs wins) – no mounts Thursday
  • Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. (197 Churchill Downs wins) – two mounts Thursday (Races 5-6)
• Meet Leading Jockeys: Tyler Gaffalione (35); Ricardo Santana Jr. (17); Brian Hernandez Jr. (16); Rafael Bejarano (14); Florent Geroux (13)
• Meet Leading Trainers: Brad Cox (12); Steve Asmussen (10); Mike Maker (9); Joe Sharp (9); Kenny McPeek (8); Brendan Walsh (8)
• Meet Leading Owners: Peter Brant (3); Godolphin LLC (3); Juddmonte (3); David E. Miller (3); Rigney Racing LLC (3); Silverton Hill LLC (3); Stonestreet Stables LLC (3); Gary and Mary West (3)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny, 79. Northwest wind around 9 mph.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (3-8:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

• Promotion: Senior Day – Discounted $26 Millionaires Row/Skye Terrace for age 60 and up
• Racing: 9 Races; Day 26 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 4, 36 feet): TBA
• Featured Races:
  • Race 3 (1:43 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 2yo f, 5 F
  • Race 6 (3:18 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, 2yo, 5 F
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.) – OC 80000n3x, 3&up, 1 M
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • Bel 3 (1:58 p.m.) – $300,000 Bed o’ Roses (GII), f&m, 7 F
  • Bel 8 (4:42 p.m.) – $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup (GII), 4&up, 2 M (T) (Belmont Gold Cup/Belmont Double)
  • Bel 9 (5:17 p.m.) – $300,000 True North (GII), 4&up, 6 ½ F (start of two-day Pick 6) (Sprint Double with Jaipur)
  • Bel 10 (5:50 p.m.) – $750,000 New York (GI), f&m, 1 ¼ M (T) (start of two-day Pick 4) (NY/Met Mile Double)
  • Bel 11 (6:22 p.m.) – $200,000 Intercontinental (GIII), f&m, 6 F (T) (Filly and Mare Double with Ogden Phipps)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Increasing clouds, 76. 40% showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-6:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com
• Radio: “Inside Churchill Downs” on ESPN 680/105.7 (6-7 p.m.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 (BELMONT STAKES WATCH PARTY)

• Racing: 11 Races; Day 27 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:58 p.m.
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 2, 12 feet): TBA
• Featured Races:
  • Race 4 (2:13 p.m.) – OC 80000n1x, 3yo f, 1 M (T)
  • Race 6 (3:18 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, f&m, 1 1/16 M
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – Mdn 120k, f&m, 6 F
  • Race 9 (4:55 p.m.) – OC 62500n2x, f&m, 6 F
  • Race 10 (5:26 p.m.) – $160,000 Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes, 3&up, 5 F (T)
  • Race 11 (5:58 p.m.) – Alw 127000n1x, 3&up, 5 ½ F
• Featured Simulcasts:
  • Bel 3 (12:33 p.m.) – $500,000 Acorn (GI), 3yo f, 1 M
  • Bel 4 (1:08 p.m.) – $500,000 Just a Game (GI), f&m, 1 M (T)
  • Bel 5 (1:47 p.m.) – $400,000 Brooklyn (GII), 4&up, 1 ½ M
  • Bel 6 (2:22 p.m.) – $400,000 Woody Stephens (GI), 3yo, 7 F
  • Bel 7 (3:05 p.m.) – $500,000 Ogden Phipps (GI), f&m, 1 1/16 M
  • Bel 8 (3:53 p.m.) – $400,000 Jaipur (GI), 3&up, 6 F (T)
  • Bel 9 (4:43 p.m.) – $1 million Metropolitan (GI), 3&up, 1 M
  • Bel 10 (5:38 p.m.) – $750,000 Manhattan (GI), 4&up, 1 ¼ M (T)
  • Bel 11 (6:44 p.m.) – $1.5 million Belmont (GI), 3yo, 1 ½ M
  • SA 7 (7:55 p.m.) – $100,000 Affirmed (GIII), 3yo, 1 1/16 M
• National Weather Service Forecast: Partly sunny, 81. 10% chance of showers before 8 a.m.
• Tickets: General Admission ($9), Reserved Seating ($12), Reserved Dining ($54)
• TV: FS2 (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 7:15-8:30 p.m.)
• TV – Belmont Stakes:
  • CNBC (3-5 p.m.)
  • NBC (5-7 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

• Promotion: Military Appreciation Day/Flag Day – Active members and veterans of the military are invited to enjoy a day at the races as Churchill Downs celebrates and honors America’s service men and women for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
  • Active and retired military receive free general admission with a valid military I.D.
  • Discounted $32 Millionaires Row or Skye Terrace tickets
  • Nashville recording artist and Top 8 on The Voice Season 21 Lana Scott will perform National Anthem at 1:55 p.m.
  • Ford Motor Company’s Veteran’s Group will present the colors prior to the National Anthem
  • Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123^rd Special Tactics Squadron will have a special C130 military aircraft flyover in honor of Travis Brown and to bring awareness to the difficulties of deployed warriors.
  • Charitable partners Active Heroes and Dogs Helping Heroes will be on hand.
  • Bugler Steve Buttleman will salute military members with patriotic themes following the Call to Post for each race.
• Wagering: Derby City 6 Jackpot Mandatory Payout (Races 4-9)
• Racing: 9 Races; Day 28 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Dirt/Turf (Lane 2, 12 feet): TBA
• Stakes Racing:
  • Race 2 (1:14 p.m.) – $160,000 Leslie’s Lady Overnight Stakes, 3yo f, 7 F
  • Race 8 (4:22 p.m.) – $225,000 Matt Winn (GIII), 3yo, 1 1/16 M
• Featured Simulcasts: GII Summertime Oaks (SA)
• National Weather Service Forecast: Mostly sunny, 87.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-2:30 p.m., 4:30-6 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

• Scheduled Racing: 9 Races; Day 29 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• National Weather Service Forecast: Sunny and hot, 97. 20% showers and thunderstorms.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-5 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

• Promotion: Twilight Thursday – $2 select domestic can beer, live music (Piper Madison), food trucks (MRC’s Cheesecake; All Thaid Up; Crave a Go Go; Crave Street Kitchen; and Flavorville)
• Scheduled Racing: 8 Races; Day 30 of 44
• Gates Open: 4 p.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 5-8:23 p.m.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (3-8:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

• Scheduled Racing: 9 Races; Day 31 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-4:55 p.m.
• Tickets: General Admission ($7), Reserved Seating ($10), Reserved Dining ($42)
• TV: FS2 (12:30-5:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com
• Radio: “Inside Churchill Downs” on ESPN 680/105.7 (6-7 p.m.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 18 (DOWNS AFTER DARK)

• Scheduled Racing: 11 Races; Day 32 of 44
• Gates Open: 4 p.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 6-11:10 p.m.
• Stakes Racing: $160,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes
• Featured Simulcasts: GII Santa Maria (SA); GIII Poker (Bel); GIII Salvator Mile (Mth); GIII Monmouth (Mth); GIII Eatontown (Mth)
• Tickets: General Admission ($14), Reserved Seating ($17), Reserved Dining ($82)
• TV: FS1 (1-3:30 p.m.), FS2 (3:30-7 p.m., 9-11:30 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 (FATHER’S DAY)

• Scheduled Racing: 10 Races; Day 33 of 44
• Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
• First Race/Last Race: 12:45-5:26 p.m.
• Featured Simulcasts: GIII San Juan Capistrano (SA); GIII American (SA)
• Tickets: General Admission ($9), Reserved Seating ($12), Reserved Dining ($54)
• TV: FS1 (12:30-3 p.m.), FS2 (3-5 p.m.), FS1 (5-6 p.m.)
• Smart TV App: Churchill Downs LIVE
• Wager: TwinSpires.com