American Man will try to earn his first stakes victory when he faces five rivals in the $300,000 Harrods Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, September 19.
The seven furlong dirt race is one of three stakes on the Downs After Dark program. Churchill Downs lists the Harrods Creek as Race 6, with an estimated post time of 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
American Man brings graded stakes form
American Man enters from a campaign that has already placed him against graded company. The Dallas Stewart trainee finished second in the Maxfield Stakes at Churchill Downs, then was fourth in the Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga. He returns to seven furlongs on Saturday with Cristian Torres aboard from post 2.
His Churchill experience is another useful part of the profile. American Man won an allowance over six furlongs at the track in May before stepping into stakes competition.
Six horse Harrods Creek field
Gilded Bandit drew the rail for trainer Bill Mott and jockey Luan Machado. American Man starts from post 2, followed by Stop the Car for Brendan Walsh and Brian Hernandez Jr.
Tagermeen, trained by Steve Asmussen, drew post 4 after a recent allowance victory at Saratoga. Creole Chrome starts from post 5 for Joe Sharp, while Doublecents completes the field from post 6.
Stop the Car brings stakes experience after finishing third in the Ellis Park Derby. That form, combined with American Man’s graded stakes efforts and Tagermeen’s recent win, gives the race several plausible paths despite the compact field.
A strong Saturday program at Churchill Downs
The Harrods Creek sits alongside the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes and the Seneca Overnight Stakes on Saturday’s card. The Dogwood features Grade 1 winner Explora in another seven furlong test for three year old fillies.
Saturday is also a major racing day beyond Louisville. Parx Racing hosts the Pennsylvania Derby, the Cotillion Stakes and the Gallant Bob Stakes.
The Harrods Creek field is scheduled to include Gilded Bandit, American Man, Stop the Car, Tagermeen, Creole Chrome and Doublecents. Bettors should confirm scratches and track conditions before post time.
Featured image is illustrative and does not depict the 2026 Harrods Creek field.
