Tipsheet: 2026 Bango Stakes

A fleet field of seven will dash 6 1/2 furlongs over the Churchill Downs dirt in Saturday’s $275,000 Bango (G3). 

Bango Stakes Picks

• #2 Cornucopian
• #5 Extra Anejo
• #6 Dr. Venkman

Bango Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #2 Cornucopian
• $2 trifecta key 2 with 5,6,7

Bango Stakes Contenders

#1 U DEVIL YOU (10-1): Daredevil four-year–old is a two-time winner on the oval who has been in mostly good form this campaign and will make his first run since moving to the Riley Mott shedrow. The bay will have John Velazquez in the silks and could gain a share late with a ground-saving voyage from the rail. 

#2 CORNUCOPIAN (1-1): A multiple Grade 3 winner was visually impressive in his Aristides (G3) triumph last time out and gets the nod to make it two straight on this occasion. The ultra-talented son of Into Mischief could evolve into one of the better one-turn runners in the country, and his versatility makes him a formidable foe in this dash for Baffert, with Flavien Prat retaining the ride. 

#3 HARRODSBURG (12-1): Speedy sort from the Tomlinson shedrow impressed in an allowance score on the oval, most recently in advance of this stern test. The Constitution gelding likes both the surface and distance, and he will be asked for speed from the break with Luis Saez in the stirrups. 

#4 GOLD SWEEP (20-1): Stakes-winning son of Speightstown has never been better and comes in with five top-three finishes from five outings in 2026, including a third behind the top choice in the Aristides most recently. The John Haran trainee has good tactical speed combined with a nice turn of foot, and the chestnut will be in with a chance at a placing with another step forward in the heat beneath Amir Mendoza. 

#5 EXTRA ANEJO (6-1): Into Mischief colt ran into a fine winner on the oval in his first run of the season last time out and will improve as a contender today. The Steve Asmussen pupil owns two tallies on the strip in his career, and I feel that the cutback in distance will aid the stalking type, as well. Jose Ortiz will be in the saddle. 

#6 DR. VENKMAN (7-2): Mark Glatt's charge makes his first appearance since finishing a nice third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. The Ghostzapper gelding is a multiple graded stakes winner who runs well when fresh, and he wouldn’t be a surprise in his second run over the surface with Joel Rosario accepting the mount. 

#7 BUILT (4-1): Hard Spun colt was excellent in posting a dominant score in an allowance tilt on the oval in his latest performance for conditioner Wayne Catalano. The four-year-old bay seems to have found his niche as a one-turn specialist, and he figures in this spot from an advantageous outside post slot. Irad retains the ride atop the win threat.