Skippylongstocking and Baeza Headline a Deep Alysheba Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Few names in racing history evoke Churchill Downs quite like Alysheba. The Hall of Fame hero captured the 1987 Kentucky Derby after recovering from near disaster in the stretch, then surged home in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Classic to defeat a world‑class field. Given his enduring legacy beneath the Twin Spires, it’s fitting that one of the track’s premier races bears his name — and this year’s Grade 2 $750,000 Alysheba Stakes, run at 1 1/16 miles on the Kentucky Oaksundercard, promises a lineup worthy of the legend
Skippylongstocking: Veteran Star Seeks Another Churchill Triumph
Already an earner of more than $5.7 million, Skippylongstocking deserves top billing entering Friday’s renewal. The 7‑year‑old son of Exaggerator comes in off two outstanding starts this season and looks to continue the stable’s momentum after fellow 7‑year‑old White Abarrio’s recent Oaklawn Handicap victory.
A 12‑time graded stakes winner, Skippylongstocking is enjoying arguably his best form as he embarks on his sixth seasonon the racetrack. He opened 2026 with an emphatic win over White Abarrio in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream, then followed with a dominant score in the Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
The road doesn’t get easier, though. Among his toughest opponents in the field of nine older males is the talented Grade 1 winner Baeza.
Baeza: Fresh Start for the Derby Third‑Place Finisher
Owned by C R K Stable and Grandview Equine, Baeza, a son of McKinzie and Puca, was a major presence on last year’s Triple Crown trail. The colt finished a powerful, late‑running third in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, behind Sovereignty and Journalism.
After four consecutive defeats to one or both of those rivals, Baeza broke through with a decisive late‑summer triumph in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), rallying past Magnitude. Trouble at the break cost him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but the now‑4‑year‑old returns this week with every sign he’s ready for a strong season debut.
During his time away, Baeza moved to the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott following the passing of his former trainer, newly elected Hall of Famer John Shirreffs. Junior Alvaradowill take the call in Baeza’s comeback race.
Pletcher Sends a Pair: Grande and Disruptor
Trainer Todd Pletcher adds serious depth to the lineup with two comebacking stars — Grande and Disruptor — both of whom missed significant time in 2025 but have returned in fine form.
Grande, a son of Curlin, enters off back‑to‑back victories, including the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3). Scratched from last year’s Kentucky Derby, he’s finished behind only one rival in five career starts.
Stablemate Disruptor, by Gun Runner, has also raced five times and arrives off consecutive wins, most recently an authoritative score in the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Additional Contenders: Grade 1 Class Runs Deep
The Alysheba field boasts even more graded stakes firepower with Tappan Street, East Avenue, Nu What’s New, Corporate Power, and Navajo Warrior all adding intrigue.
Tappan Street, trained by Brad Cox, famously defeated Sovereignty in last year’s Florida Derby (G1) before injury sidelined him from the Derby. The Into Mischief colt returned to win an allowance race at Gulfstream but finished last of 12 behind Skippylongstocking in January’s Pegasus World Cup.
East Avenue, trained by Brendan Walsh, earned his Grade 1 win as a 2‑year‑old and counts Churchill among his most successful venues, having captured the Matt Winn (G3)there last season. He prepped for the Alysheba with a runner‑up effort in the Oaklawn Mile (G3).
The Oaklawn Mile winner, Nu What’s New, returns for trainer James DiVito in peak form, while Corporate Power enters off two strong Fair Grounds runs after spending more than 15 months away from the races for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Rounding out the lineup is Navajo Warrior, the only non‑stakes winner in the field, but a rising force for Saffie Joseph Jr. The gelding has captured seven of his last nine starts, including an impressive most‑recent victory.
Alysheba Outlook
Scheduled as Race 9 on Friday, the Alysheba Stakes offers a compelling blend of seasoned stars and resurgent talents. Skippylongstocking seeks to extend his hot streak, Baeza aims to re‑establish himself on the national stage, and multiple up‑and‑comers look ready to test their mettle beneath the same Twin Spires where Alysheba once reigned.
