Exotics Plays for the 2026 Regret Stakes

An especially well-matched field of nine sophomore ladies will jaunt nine panels on the Churchill Downs lawn in Saturday’s $275,000 Regret (G3). In my opinion, the field lacks a standout, and it looks like a very appealing betting opportunity. 

Regret Exotics

• $4 exacta key box 6 with 1,5,9 ($24)
• $4 trifecta 6,9 with 6,9 with 1,5 ($16)
• 20-cent superfecta 6,9 with 1,5,6,9 with 1,5,6,9 with all ($14.40)

#6 Dandona (6-1) is my tepid top pick in the heat for trainer Saffie Joseph. The seven-figure son of Tiz the Law looked the part in her Florida Oaks (G3) triumph at Tampa Bay Downs two back, prior to finishing unplaced in the recent Edgewood (G3) on the course most recently, but I expect her to improve on Saturday. The bay has displayed a strong turn of foot on the sod in her three previous grassy attempts, and while the pace of the race doesn’t figure to be a wicked one, she should have an honest tempo with which to rally into, nonetheless. Irad inherits the ride.

#9 Tam Tam (5-2) has improved her Brisnet Speed rating in each of her three runs on the sod, and she just missed behind a fine filly in her local bow last time out. The Phil Bauer pupil is a head shy of being unbeaten since moving to the lawn, and the expensive Medaglia d’Oro filly has excellent early foot in a field lacking an abundance of pace. The Kentucky-bred bay will always be in striking range with Junior Alvarado in the silks once again. 

#5 Faithful Departed (8-1) could fly under the radar in the affair for trainer Grant Forster, but the Yoshida filly has improved her Brisnet Speed rating in every lifetime start to date, and she can’t be ignored as a prime exotics value piece in the contest. The ever-improving stakes-placed bay was a smart allowance heroine on the course while facing her elders in her latest endeavor and will not need a big move forward to challenge this cast late with Jose Ortiz on board. 

Of the three in the field for conditioner Brendan Walsh, I prefer Edgewood (G2) sixth #1 Indigo Woods (4-1). The stakes-winning Blue Point filly has a big closing punch; she gets a nice draw on the fence to match her running style, and she also gets a rider upgrade to top pilot Tyler Gaffalione. Irish-bred bay will save ground and make one run in the lane.