Churchill Downs has two additional sprint stakes on its September 12 program beyond the already covered Iroquois, Pocahontas and Locust Grove. The $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes brings together eight older sprinters at 6 1/2 furlongs, while the $300,000 Open Mind Stakes matches seven fillies and mares over six furlongs.
Both races add depth to an 11 race Saturday card that begins at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.
Built returns after Vanderbilt victory
Built enters the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes after winning the A.G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga by 2 1/2 lengths on July 25. The four year old son of Hard Spun has six wins from 14 starts and earnings of $699,696.
Wayne Catalano trains Built. Flavien Prat rides from post 5.
Harrodsburg is another major contender. He defeated Built by a half length in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs and owns five victories over the Louisville track. Luis Saez rides from post 1.
Louisville Thoroughbred Society field
The official field is Harrodsburg, Here Mi Song, Jack’s Promise, Cat On Time, Built, Echo Again, Dreaminblue and Keep It Easy.
The race is scheduled as Race 7 with a listed post time of 3:54 p.m. Eastern.
Usha and Cash Call give Baffert two chances in Open Mind
Bob Baffert sends out Grade 1 winner Usha and Grade 3 winner Cash Call in the Open Mind Stakes. Usha won the La Brea last season by 5 1/4 lengths and has a 2026 victory in the Winning Colors. She also finished third in the Derby City Distaff.
Cash Call most recently finished second in both the Groupie Doll and Twin Bridges at Ellis Park.
Look Forward adds another accomplished runner to the field. The Michael McCarthy trainee won the Eight Belles in 2025 and returns after a 13 month absence.
Open Mind field
The official field is Usha, Cash Call, Look Forward, Flat Out Time, Benedetta, Asternia and Modo.
The six furlong Open Mind is scheduled as Race 6 with a listed post time of 3:21 p.m. Eastern.
Why these races matter
The Saturday program gives older dirt sprinters and female sprinters a meaningful late season test as the calendar moves toward the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.
For the other major races on the card, see OTB Bet’s Iroquois Stakes preview, Pocahontas Stakes preview and Locust Grove Stakes preview. More permanent coverage is available in the Major Races center.
Source: Churchill Downs, official September 8 stakes advances and September Meet schedule.
