Will Universe star in the Street Sense Stakes?

I love the introduction of the $200,000 Street Sense (G3) as a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier. It’s the highlight of this Sunday’s opening day card Churchill Downsand it gives us an excellent race to discuss in the quiet week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.

Since its inauguration in 2013, the Street Sense has become widely known as a preparation for the Kentucky Derby. It has produced 15 Kentucky Derby starters, including Sovereignty, who became the first horse to complete the Street Sense/Kentucky Derby double in 2024-25.

The Street Sense field is led this year by #3 Universe a promising trainee from Kenny McPeek who makes his debut in two turns. The bay colt suffered a setback on his debut when he sprinted seven furlongs Saratoga Race Coursehitting the fence at the start and waiting behind rivals in the homestretch, but once clear he raced away to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

McPeek is not known for letting his young horses win on their debut, and when they do, they often develop into stakes horses. That was the case for Universe. His second start came in Champagne (G1), where he ran a one-turn mile, and he beat his odds 18-1.

Universe initially stayed close to the Champagne pace, racing within 1 1/2 lengths of fractions of :22.53 and :44.24. That was an impressive feat, as victorious pacer Napoleon Solo completed the second quarter mile in a blistering time of :21.71.

Universe couldn’t keep pace with Napoleon Solo as he turned up the heat through six furlongs in 1:07.88; indeed, Universe fell 10 lengths off the pace. But he refused to give up and even regained some ground on the homestretch, finishing third by 7 1/4 lengths, with Napoleon Solo touching the wire in a fast 1:34.57.

The Street Sense becomes an easier place. There isn’t much pace on paper, so Universe should be able to stay near a slower pace, giving him plenty in the tank for the homestretch. His pedigree suggests he’ll appreciate stretching out around two turns, and dropping the blinders is another potential positive.

Add to that the fact that Universe is picking up jockey Jose Ortiz (a 40% winner who has teamed with McPeek for the past two months according to Brisnet stats), and he’s a compelling choice to win the Street Sense.

Another logical contender is number 2 Ganas . The tough-bred son of War Front out of a Tapit mare is undefeated in two starts in the sprint. First he beat a special weight of five furlong Horseshoe Indianapolis with four lengths. He then broke a six-furlong Churchill Downs allowance by 5 1/4 lengths.

Ganaas has shown high speed in both his sprint starts and can secure an undisputed lead over a distance of over 1 1/16 miles. If he breaks free through modest pace fractions, it may prove difficult to bring him down in the homestretch.

#8 Incredible did not take his debut sprint into account and finished fourth after running off the pace. But he improved significantly when he stretched over a mile for his second start. Dismissed at 2-1 in a Churchill Downs special weight, Incredibolt paced in third before taking over in the final furlong to score by two lengths.

Brisnet stats indicate that trainer Riley Mott has struck at a lofty 26% rate on recent winners, so Incredibolt has a good chance of repeating or bettering his debut performance.

#1 Vost Churchill’s Iroquois (G3) third-place finish on the Road to the Kentucky Derby could slow the pace but must improve on Beyer’s career-best speed rating of 67 if he wants to challenge for top honors.

The same goes for #6 I did it . The son of Curlin takes a maiden win racing 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, but the 67 Beyer he posted leaves him with the form he can find against the Street Sense favorites. On the plus side, he is bred to improve as he matures, and a five-furlong workout in :59 4/5 at Churchill Downs earlier this month suggests he can progress under five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

Selections

1st: #3 Universe
2nd: #2 Ganaas
3rd: #7 Incredibolt
4th: #6 I did it

Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in the Street Sense Stakes?

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