Part of the Plan Millionaire mare Majestic Oops has money on the mind ahead of Saturday’s $300,000 Shawnee (G2) at Churchill Downs. The seasoned Majestic Harbor bay has enjoyed a strong start to her 6-year-old campaign, collecting a pair of stakes wins (American Beauty and Grade 2 Azeri) along with a third in last month’s Apple Blossom (G1). In fine form for trainer Philip D’Amato, Majestic Oops brings a balanced 9-11-5 line from 36 starts into the 1 1/16-mile Shawnee. At 3-1, she trails only dual Grade 1 winner Splendora (6-5) on the morning line. Can’t Rattle Me Worldly veteran Rattle N Roll looks to add to his already sterling resume with a statement showing in Saturday’s $300,000 Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs. With nearly $4 million in prizes and seven graded/group titles to his name, the 7-year-old son of Connect–Jazz Tune has been nothing short of a marvel for owners Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri and Lucky Seven Stable. Rattle N Roll also happens to be quite familiar with the 1 1/8-mile Blame, having captured the 2023 edition under rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. The chestnut, trained by Kenneth McPeek, will tackle the 2026 iteration with back-to-back Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat in the irons. Drawn on the rail for the eight-horse affair, Rattle N Roll enters at 4-1. Calm Waters Seeking his first career graded stakes badge, Godolphin homebred Maycocks Bay takes his talents to Woodbine this Saturday for the $175,000 bet365 Eclipse Stakes. The well-travelled Speightstown gelding is primed for his debut at the Toronto, Ontario oval after making stops up-and-down the United States circuit. A three-time winner from 11 starts (3-2-2; $204,270), Maycocks Bay has contested the graded ranks twice, finishing fourth in last year’s Louisiana (G3) and third in the Mineshaft (G3). Trained by Michael Stidham, Maycocks Bay heads into the 1 1/16-mile Eclipse as the 5-2 second choice behind Jokestar (2-1). In All Seriousness Hungry for more after a dominant Santa Maria (G3) victory on April 19, Simply Joking returns to Santa Anita for Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Margarita (G2). Stepping up in class and stretching out for the 1 1/8-mile main track tilt, Simply Joking made serious waves last time out with the 6 ¾-length triumph. It was the first graded tally in seven tries for the 4-year-old daughter of Practical Joke–Imply, who kicked off her career with consecutive stakes scores in the Letellier Memorial (2024) and Silverbulletday (2025). Standing in Simply Joking’s way Saturday is a cast of four foes, captained by Clement L. Hirsch (G1) winner and 2-5 morning line choice Seismic Beauty. Simply Joking clocks in second at 3-1. Back in Business Stronghold’s quest back to graded stakes glory resumes this Sunday in the $100,000 Triple Bend (G3) at Santa Anita. Eric and Sharon Waller’s two-time graded stakes winning homebred made his season debut on April 17 at Oaklawn Park, finishing in a dead heat with Bendoog atop the allowance contest. Stronghold has been a constant podium threat throughout his 13-start career, compiling a 4-7-0 record headlined by triumphs in the 2024 Sunland Park Derby (G3) and Santa Anita Derby (G1). The accomplished Philip D’Amato-trained bay has reeled in nearly $1.3 million in total prizes. On Sunday, he will occupy the outermost post in the five-horse fixture. Matthew Lomon Share This:Share
