Tipsheet: 2026 Keertana Stakes

A fine cast of eight fillies and mares will go 1 1/2 miles on the Churchill Downs lawn in Saturday’s $250,000 Keertana S. 

Keertana Stakes Picks

• #1 Sultana 
• #4 Golden Sunshine
• #3 Ayra Stark
• #5 Way to Be Marie

Keertana Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #1 Sultana
• $3 trifecta key 1 with 3,4,5 

Keertana Stakes Contenders

#1 SULTANA (3-1): Always Dreaming five-year-old has won a pair of graded races in succession and gets a nice slot on the fence for trainer Kevin Attard. The dark bay mare is two-for-two on the grass in her lifetime, led by a game score in the Orchid (G3) at Gulfstream Park last time out, and she will improve making her second run off the layoff, as well. Junior Alvarado will ride. 

#2 AWESOMESAUCE (8-1): Union Rags lass will run beyond nine panels for the first time in her career and will also be making her stakes bow, too. The Joe Sharp pupil possesses a big turn of foot, and the well-bred filly could challenge for a share if she likes the 12-furlong distance with Irad taking the reins. 

#3 AYRA STARK (9-5): Group 2 victress has checked in second in a trio of races in succession, including the Clement (G3) and Orchid (G3). The Horacio de Paz pupil comes in fresh with a sharp half-mile move at Laurel most recently, and the tactical win contender will be in the hunt from the break beneath Jose Ortiz. 

#4 GOLDEN SUNSHINE (4-1): Bewitch (G3) second and ran the best race of her lifetime in her initial marathon attempt on the lawn at Keeneland. The four-year-old filly will be a major player in this affair with even minor improvement. The Eoin Harty trainee has won or placed in seven races in succession and has hit the board in her last two races on this grass course, too. Jaime Torres will guide the Godolphin homebred. 

#5 WAY TO BE MARIE (6-1): Kenneally pupil will make her third run since attracting a final bid of $750,000 in January and could offer some good value in the tilt. The five-year-old daughter of Not This Time will have a target in this race after leading early in the Bewitch in her latest venture, and she will be well-placed at the top of the lane with Luis Saez retaining the ride. 

#6 VIRGIN COLADA (15-1): The Mike Maker pupil bolted soon after the break in the Bewitch most recently but will race with blinkers off on this occasion. The daughter of More Than Ready has back class to her, and if the Resolute Racing color bearer puts in her best effort, then the filly could be an exotics contender at a price with Tyler Gaffalione taking the reins. 

#7 QUEENS COMMAND (20-1): Second from the Sharp shedrow didn’t show much in a tough spot on this lawn last time, and her overall form is not great, so I’ll omit the War Command seven-year-old in the affair. Ben Curtis will pilot the mare. 

#8 VENENCIA (12-1): Saffie Joseph charge has failed to hit the board in four runs since joining this outfit, but the mare will get an equipment change with the hood coming off, and she also has back class to her, as well. The Recoletos six-year-old will stalk the pace from the break with Vincent Cheminaud in the stirrups.