Tipsheet: 2026 Street Sense Stakes

A cast of eight two-year-old colts will travel 1 1/16 miles over the famed Churchill Downs main strip in Sunday’s $200,000 Street Sense (G3), a 2027 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt that awards qualifying points to the top five across the wire on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis. 

Street Sense Stakes Picks

• #3 Card Man
• #2 Blessed Flyer
• #4 Mystik Bayoua

Street Sense Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #3 Card Man
• $10 exacta 3 with 2,4

Street Sense Stakes Contenders

#1 RITZY RAGS: Union Rags colt graduated in the maiden claiming ranks last time on the course and will make his first run off the claim for trainer Dustin Heath. The Kentucky-bred gets a nice slot on the rail to save ground early, but he will need a substantial move forward to be in the running late against this field under Rafael Bejarano. 

#2 BLESSED FLYER: Tomlinson pupil is two-for-two in preparation for his route debut and will be a major factor if he carries his form to this two-turn test. The Dialed In colt is proven on the surface and has fired bullet moves in two of his last three morning drills. The February foal will have blinkers on and Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the stirrups. 

#3 CARD MAN: Horse to beat from the Chad Brown barn has run two good ones in succession to begin his career and looms large in his local and stakes bow. The Life is Good colt has speed and some stamina, and the bay has also registered three strong morning moves leading up to his first run on the course, as well. He will be formidable with regular rider Flavien Prat retaining the ride. 

#4 MYSTIK BAYOU: Wells Bayou colt rolled home a convincing winner going 1 1/16 miles over the Belmont Park dirt in his second showing and will be in the hunt late with even slight improvement on Sunday. One of two in the field for Kenny McPeek, showed tactical speed combined with a closing punch in his last effort and will always be in striking range under the guidance of Jose Ortiz. 

#5 VERY GIFTED: Gift Box colt rallied from far back to defeat maiden claiming foes in his unveiling and will rise up in class second time out for McPeek. The March foal will appreciate the added distance in this heat, but he will need to stay in range early to have a chance against as much better field in this one beneath Emmanuel Esquivel. 

#6 JAS: Wildcard in the field, graduated well on the Kentucky Downs grass two back prior to finishing second in the Juvenile Mile S. on the same course most recently. The Steve Asmussen pupil could be any kind on the main strip, and if his form carries over to the dirt, then the son of Justify will be a viable win contender with Keith Asmussen in the irons. 

#7 STAUNCH: $300,000 Liam’s Map colt impressed with a strong tally on the oval in his second lifetime run for trainer Brendan Walsh. The April foal has displayed a strong closing kick at shorter and figures to thrive with the added distance against this cast, with Tyler Gaffalione staying in the silks. 

#8 NEVER A DOUBT: Mendelssohn colt graduated in his debut in South Florida but has been mostly outrun in a trio of tries in the Bluegrass State in advance of his graded bow. The Carlos David pupil might improve with the added distance in his second Churchill Downs try, but others seem more likely in the contest. Junior Alvarado will be in the stirrups.