Tipsheet: 2022 Golden Rod Stakes

A talented field of 10 juvenile fillies will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Golden Rod S. (G2).

Golden Rod Stakes Picks

• #4 Hoosier Philly
• #1 Pretty Mischievous
• #3 American Rockette
• #10 Defining Purpose

Golden Rod Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place: #4 Hoosier Philly
• $15 exacta: key 4 with 1, 3
• $2 superfecta: 4 with 1, 3 with 1, 3, 10 with all

Golden Rod Stakes Contenders

#1 PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS (5-2): Brings a perfect two-for-two mark to the field for conditioner Brendan Walsh. The Godolphin homebred successfully endured a sloppy, sealed strip locally last time out and seems poised to handle her first run going a route of ground on Saturday. The well-related March foal will always be in striking range with regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione in the silks.

#2 MUSTANG LADY (15-1): Has improved her Brisnet Speed figure with each lifetime try to date for Troy Newton. The Alcibiades S. (G1) sixth faces easier on this occasion, but she still must show improvement in order to make big noise late in this spot with Rafael Bejarano in the silks.

#3 AMERICAN ROCKETTE (10-1): Checked in fourth in both the Spinaway (G1) and Frizette (G1) in advance of her initial two-turn try for Bill Mott. A flashy debut winner at Saratoga in the summer, the American Pharoah filly bypassed a run in the Juvenile Fillies (G1) and landed in this spot, which I view as a positive for sure. Florent Geroux inherits the mount.

#4 HOOSIER PHILLY (1-1): Rolls into her graded stakes bow with two sharp victories from as many lifetime tries for conditioner Tom Amoss. The gray Into Mischief filly continues to train in rapid fashion this campaign and could be the real deal while facing her toughest test to date in this affair. Edgar Morales is in the irons once again.

#5 BLACK FOREST (20-1): Broke through with a fine maiden tally in her latest endeavor for conditioner Fausto Gutierrez. The Keeneland graduate will bring pace to the race in the very least as the likely early leader, and the dark bay could get brave if she clears early while making her route debut. Gerrado Corrales will be up.

#6 KNOCKYOURSOCKSOFF (12-1): The wildcard in the field in making her first run on the dirt following a trio of solid turf tries for trainer Chris Block. By Kitten’s Joy, she was a closing runner-up in the Jessamine S. (G2) on the green and has obvious class for a barn that is fairly adept at spotting horses. Julien Leparoux has the assignment.

#7 T MAX (12-1): Showed heart in finishing second in the Rags to Riches S. on the oval last time out for Will Walden. The once-beaten Connect filly was impressive in drawing off to commanding wins in her first two outings, and a repeat of those performances will make her dangerous on this day with Jack Gilligan in the controls. The bay will be in the hunt from the opening bell. 

#8 PURE PAULINE (15-1): Bred to be a star but has yet to show that she is ready to run to her catalog page for Todd Pletcher. The Curlin two-year-old was a decent fourth at first asking prior to being a dead-heat winner in a maiden run at Keeneland last time out, and she will need to take a major step forward to be a factor in this spot. Ricardo Santana, Jr. picks up the mount.

#9 TAKE CHARGE BRIANA (15-1): Rallied to be fourth in a stakes sprint at Keeneland most recently and should prosper on the stretch out in distance in this one. The D. Wayne Lukas pupil failed to fire in her lone graded attempt to date, but she has obvious ability and will move forward in her second run going long on Saturday. Luis Seaz riding adds to her appeal.

#10 DEFINING PURPOSE (15-1): Rates as an exotics contender if she runs to her recent maiden romp at Keeneland for Ken McPeek. The Cross Traffic filly showed marked improvement second time out when dominating foes on the course in her latest endeavor, and the February foal could benefit from being drawn outside of the other pace in the race. The gray will track the action early on under regular jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr.