Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes | Churchill Downs | Race 10 | June 28


1. Henro (20-1) Jockey: Rafael Bejarano Trainer: Chris A. Hartman


Henro brings a career record of 15 starts with five wins, 1 second, and earnings of $666,349. This 4-year-old gelding has shown consistency but lacks recent graded stakes success at this level. Two of his career wins were on a wet track. His speed and class ratings are much below the rest of the field. Jockey Bejarano has struggled in turf routes, winning just 5% with a negative ROI of -76 over a large sample size. The one post has been a nightmare for horses that like to come from behind (Sustained) in turf routes longer than one mile at Churchill Downs.


2. Lagynos (6-1) Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: Steve Asmussen


This 4-year-old colt finished third in the (G3) Arlington Stakes behind Mercante and Brilliant Berti, only beaten ¾ of a length. He has consistently hit the board in five of his last six starts. He seeks his first win since December and has hit the board in 12 of 17 lifetime starts, including 8 of 11 in turf races. Flavien Prat has been the master of turf races, winning 26% and finishing in the money 57% of the time. That's a sample size of almost five years. He has raced on the Churchill Downs turf course six times and finished in the top three on five occasions. Lagynos' speed figures are comparable to other horses, offering tremendous overlay value.


3. Mi Hermano Ramon (9-2) Jockey: Antonio Fresu Trainer: Mike Glatt


This 5-year-old gelding enters off a second-place finish in the (G1) Shoemaker Mile, losing by a neck. He is proven in turf stakes races, including his Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap win last November. Mi Hermano Ramon is 0-for-2 when racing outside his home state of California. Mi Hermano Ramon has shown solid form with 13 starts, four wins, and three places, earning a 30.77% win rate, and should be considered a legitimate contender. He’s another horse that likes to drop back early and make a “sustained” run to the finish line. Not out of the question at a nice price.


4. Mercante (5-2) Jockey: Joe D. Ramos Trainer: Brian Knippenberg


Mercante has been exceptional in recent starts, winning three of his last four races, including the (G3) Arlington Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 31, 2025. In that effort, he defeated Brilliant Berti by a neck, setting a stakes record of 1:40.69. Mercante enters as one of the most in-form horses in the field. His recent Arlington Stakes victory over this exact course and distance, combined with his excellent breeding and tactical speed, makes him a serious win contender. This 5-year-old gelding by Gun Runner has finished in the money in 9 of 13 career starts and has never been out of the money (1-1-1) at this track. The One to Beat.


5. Event Detail (8-1) Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. Trainer: William Walden


Event Detail finished fourth in the (G3) Arlington Stakes in his last start, only beaten by 1 ¼ lengths. Two starts back, he finished second in an allowance race, going 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs, earning his career-high speed figures of 115. He’s had two straight races over this track and gets a trainer/Jockey combo, winning 50% and hitting the board 80% of the time.


6. Taking Candy (8-1) Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz Trainer: Cherie DeVaux


Another entrant from the barn of Cherie DeVaux, this 5-year-old horse, had a disappointing 10th place finish in the (G1) Turf Classic at his last start, although he encountered early trouble. However, he is a graded stakes winner and could bounce back. Two starts back, he won the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes in February. Taking Candy brings proven turf form (first or second in five of six career starts at this distance), and trainer Cherie DeVaux has shown improvement with her turf string. The horse's recent winning form and suitable breeding make him a legitimate contender, though the weight increase to 120 lbs could be challenging.


7. Brilliant Berti (3-1) Jockey: Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. Trainer: Cherie DeVaux


Brilliant Berti finished a close second by a neck in the (G3) Arlington Stakes behind Mercante at Churchill Downs on May 31. This rematch presents an opportunity for revenge. He had previously been undefeated on the Churchill Downs turf, including a win in the Opening Verse Stakes on May 1. Brilliant Berti enters with strong recent form and breeding, ideally suited for turf racing. He has two wins and one second-place finish in four turf starts, traveling 8.5 furlongs.


8. Fort Washington (6-1) Jockey: John Alvarado Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III


The 6-year-old horse by War Front has been in excellent form, winning consecutive Grade 3 stakes, including the Canadian Turf Stakes in March and the Dinner Party Stakes in May 2025. He has finished in the top three in 12 stakes races dating back to his 3-year-old season. He has nine consecutive races with an Equibase Speed Figure of at least 103 and has earned over $720,000 for Magic Cap Stable. His War Front breeding is ideal for turf racing, and McGaughey's tactical expertise should have him perfectly positioned. Fort Washington has four wins, one second, and four third-place finishes in ten starts at today's turf distance, earning $320,000, the highest in the field.


9. Seminole Chief (20-1) Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Jack Sisterson


This 4-year-old colt has been versatile with five wins from 9 starts, showing ability on multiple surfaces. His most recent victory came in the Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March, where he won by ¾ of a length, earning a career-best 110 Equibase Speed Figure. Seminole Chief “bounced” to a 94-speed figure in his last race, finishing 9th in the (G1) Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in May. Turf routes at Churchill Downs typically favor horses with tactical speed who can position themselves within striking distance. He will likely jump out to the lead from post-nine.


Selections:


#2 Lagynos (6-1) Win-Place


Exacta: #2 over #3, #4, #8


Exacta: #3, #4, #8, over #2


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