With a total prize purse of $2,000,000 on offer, the 1,300m Grade II Music City Stakes during the Kentucky Downs turf meet attracts some top sprinters on grass to the racetrack near the Commonwealth’s Tennessee border. Chief among them is Saratoga Test Stakes heroine Kilwin, who escapes a penalty for this valuable contest on Saturday, September 6.
George Arnold’s three-year-old Twirling Candy filly features in a dozen-strong field (with four reserves) in this age-restricted females only race off level weights. Kilwin closed deep at the Spa after a burnout on the frontend for a massive career-best display in Upstate New York over the summer.
She now meets Churchill Downs conqueror Shisospicy, switching back from dirt to turf, off 2lb worse terms from their Grade III Mamzelle Stakes encounter earlier in the campaign. That race in the spring was over a shorter distance of 1,100m, so the longer sprint of the Music City Stakes could suit Kilwin better.
Her Test win over some smart fillies included the Acorn Stakes second Look Forward, who faded out the show into fourth spot behind Bill Mott duo Ragtime and Beauty Reigns. Kilwin has mixed up running on different surfaces in recent starts, but also faces a transatlantic raider in Tabiti that dead-heated during Glorious Goodwood, one of England’s premier summertime meets.
One advantage she has over Shisospicy and Tabiti is Arnold just ships her from Saratoga Springs to Franklin, Kentucky, rather than across the pond. Jose D’Angelo and part-owners Qatar Racing aimed Shisospicy at Royal Ascot’s Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, but to no effect as she finished way down the field in 15th and beaten some eight lengths. Prior to that, the daughter of Mitole had beaten Kilwin by over four lengths.
Beckett, Dettori out for Music City Stakes Success with UK Runner
Juddmonte and Ralph Beckett seek an outright win with Tabiti after her barn buddy Saqqara Sands joined her on the wire to share first and second prize in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes during the Glorious meet. The co-winner has since returned to Goodwood and finished a neck second in a higher grade to French 2000 Guineas runner-up Jonquil in the Celebration Mile.
Beckett now books Frankie Dettori for this ride at Kentucky Downs with the legendary Italian jockey proving he’s still got it earlier in the meet. During last weekend’s card, he partnered six winners in 18 rides at the turf only track. Tabiti now has two Group 3s on her resume after landing her first over 1,200m as a juvenile at local course Salisbury.
Apart from the reserves, Coronation Cup winner Italian Soiree and Godolphin’s Pondering, who punched her ticket to the Music City Stakes with Black Type success around Ellis Park, there aren’t any more last time out winners guaranteed a run. There is other Saratoga form besides Kilwin on offer here, however, with Mark Casse’s Lake George second Classic Q dropping back in distance.
It’s more the Coronation Cup result from the Spa that also comes under the microscope here, however. Italian Soiree must again contend with the Abientot (third), Cloe (fourth) and Gata Brazil (fifth). Shisospicy has the same number of re-opposing fillies, meanwhile, with Mamzelle seventh It Ain’t Two joining Kilwin and Abientot from Churchill Downs.
Based on those runs, however, it’s clear that Kilwin and Shisospicy are best of the home team and favored by Belmont Stakes racebooks for this assignment. Should one of the first two reserves sneak in, Me Governor or George Weaver’s Galway Stakes heroine Pop Idol, then oddsmakers give them chances too.
Music City Stakes 2025 Post Positions Draw & Morning Line Odds
- Cloe – 30-1
- It Ain’t Two – 15-1
- Classic Q – 9-2
- Abientot – 12-1
- Tabiti – 5-1
- Jungle Peace – 12-1
- Pondering – 8-1
- Shezafunkydrummer – 20-1
- Kilwin – 4-1
- Shisospicy – 3-1 fav
- Italian Soiree – 20-1
- Gata Brazil – 30-1
- Me Governor – 8-1 [RESERVE]
- Pop Idol – 6-1 [RESERVE]
- Multiplication – 20-1 [RESERVE]
- Hoshiana – 15-1 [RESERVE]
Our Handicapper’s Verdict
Although it could be worth forgiving Shisospicy her Royal Ascot flop now back on home turf, there’s no doubt that Kilwin has improved since Churchill Downs. As a previous course and distance winner, this 1,300m event is ideal for her and no Grade I penalty for Test Stakes glory is a huge help.
Even turf sprints like this look sure to be run at a mad gallop, so she appeals most. British raider Tabiti commands respect with Dettori riding the track so well. Of the Casse pair, Abientot looks the more natural sprinter than Classic Q. Second reserve Pop Idol would have claims if she can somehow sneak into the final field.
WATCH: Shisospicy Beat Kilwin in Mamzelle Stakes
