How to Bet the 2026 Pea Patch Stakes

An octet of sophomore fillies will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the Ellis Park grass in Sunday’s $175,000 Pea Patch S. The Rusty Arnold-trained #8 Triskelion (5-1) was a close and clear second in a fine allowance try at Churchill Downs to kick off her three-year-old season last time out and gets top billing as the value play in the heat. By Leinster, the chestnut has never missed the board in her lifetime, and her Brisnet Speed rating has improved with every lifetime run on the weeds, as well. 

Pea Patch Wagers

• $10 win and place #8 Triskelion ($20)
• $1 superfecta 1,8 with 1,2,8 with 1,2,8 with all ($20)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,8 with 1,2,8 with all with 1,2,8 ($10)

Triskelion, who was a $75,000 yearling purchase, has a fine post slot on the outside of the field and also has the early speed to stay connected to the field from the opening bell, as well. The Florida-bred filly will likely improve while making her second run off the layoff and will endure a fine voyage just off of the pair of speed contenders to her inside in the heat with Christian Torres in the saddle. 

The stakes-placed #1 Beach Heist (7-5) is a deserving favorite in the race and will bring a lot of pace from the rail second time off the shelf. The speedy sort from the William Walden shedrow didn’t have the best trip when second in an allowance event in Louisville most recently in her seasonal bow, and the daughter of Omaha Beach has posted a trio of solid morning moves leading up to her second run of 2026. The $80,000 yearling buy will have Axel Concepcion in the irons. 

#2 Sutura (9-2) is still a maiden, but the Sisterson trainee has performed well in each of her five lifetime runs to date, with two good tries on the sod among them. The daughter of Vekoma has a pair of turf-winning siblings, and she cuts back in distance after finishing a close fourth in the Penn Oaks at one mile last time. The Kentucky-bred chestnut might not be swift enough early to beat this group, but she fits well and rates as a very logical exotics piece under the guidance of Martin Garcia.