Stakes Spot Plays: Churchill Downs Sunday, June 28, 2026

Churchill Downs will host a quartet of black-type tilts on Sunday during a sensational weekend of racing. 

Race 7 – Debutante S. 

Nine juvenile fillies will dash six panels on the dirt in the first stakes race of the day. #4 True Blessing (6-1) looked the part in her unveiling at Gulfstream Park and will be tough with any improvement in the dash. The daughter of Life is Good could be the pace of the race under Flavien Prat. 

#5 Valkrie (10-1) defeated just restricted maiden foes in her smart debut tally on the strip for McPeek, but the daughter of hot young sire Early Voting gets a nice slot outside of the top pick and could be in the mix late beneath Declan Cannon. 

Race 8 – Bashford Manor S. 

A strong cast of juvenile boys will speed six furlongs in this event, and a case can be made for many of these prospects. California import #7 He Is No Lie (3-1) never gave his foes a chance in his first offering at Santa Anita for trainer Doug O’Neill. The Early Voting colt will face significantly better in this event, but he could be any kind going forward. Jaramillo coming in to retain the ride is a huge positive. 

Race 9 – Maxfield (G3)

An outstanding group of sophomores will travel seven-eighths on the main oval, and I’ll side with Juddmonte homebred #7 Deep Flame (9-5). The Brad Cox trainee has finished fast in his last two at six panels and will appreciate the extra furlong in his stakes debut. I expect him to have a perfect voyage while stalking the pace from the second flight with Irad in the controls. 

Race 10 – Hanshin (G3)

A talented and accomplished field of 10 will travel one mile on the main oval in the final black-type event of the day. #10 Tour Player (9-2) is five-for-six since having blinkers removed, and the son of American Pharoah is also five-for-six on the Churchill Downs dirt, as well. The five-year-old comes off a commanding score in the Knicks Go S. on the course on Derby Day, and the pacey sort figures to sit a dream trip from the outside with Tyler Gaffalione picking up the mount.