Tipsheet: The 2026 Pocahontas Stakes

A field of nine juvenile fillies will go eight furlongs on the dirt at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s $300,000 Pocahontas (G3). 

Pocahontas Stakes Picks

• #2 Manuka Honey
• #7 Miss Anna
• #6 Scarlet Begonia
• #1 Pierette

Pocahontas Stakes Wagers

• $15 exacta 2 with 6,7
• $.50 cent superfecta 2 with 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with all

Pocahontas Stakes Contenders

#1 PIERETTE: $475,000 daughter of Girvin was a fine winner of the Debutante S. on the course two back prior to failing to fire as the favorite at Saratoga last time. The April foal should appreciate the move to one mile for the first time in this affair, and she will be saving ground from the rail, as well. Jose Ortiz retains the ride. 

#2 MANUKA HONEY: Ultra-talented daughter of Upstart has romped in both lifetime runs to date and is clearly the one to beat in the heat. The Kentucky-bred from the barn of Brian Lynch blitzed stakes foes at seven furlongs in her latest effort and will be formidable with something close to her best run with regular pilot Saez in the controls. 

#3 STRIPE SHOW: Cyberknife chestnut was a game graduate running the distance at Ellis Park at first asking and has an exotics chance with a step forward on this occasion. The John Servis pupil will have to get faster to upset this cast, but winning going long on debut is not easy, and she has some appeal at a fair number under Jaime Torres. 

#4 SWEET KATHLEEN: City of Light filly will make her debut in this graded tilt, and she is hard to back, having no experience in advance of the affair. 

#5 BETTY SUE: Raymond Bryner trainee ran off to a 10-length maiden win at Parx last time and will climb the class ladder in this spot. The bay daughter of Yaupon is surely talented and comes in with a bullet morning move in advance of this tilt, but she would be a surprise today with Espinoza taking the reins. 

#6 SCARLETT BEGONIA: Top-three threat from the barn of Brad Cox rallied to win at first asking prior to making up some ground late when third in the Adirondack (G3) at The Spa second time out. The Life is Good filly runs like a horse that will appreciate more distance, and her works have been solid this campaign, as well. Flavien Prat will ride the dangerous lass. 

#7 MISS ANNA: Top danger to the leading selection was very sharp in graduating second time out and comes in with a big chance for Brendan Walsh. The $330,000 Girvin filly is bred to run long and has posted a trio of solid morning drills in advance of her stakes bow. Tyler Gaffalione will take the reins. 

#8 FOR THE WIN: Debutante S. runner-up put in a pair of good runs from off the pace at Ellis in advance of this heat and could rally for a top-three result in her graded debut. The George Weaver pupil possesses a nice turn of foot, and the daughter of Drain the Clock will be coming on late with Concepcion retaining the ride. 

#9 TAHALUF: Shadwell homebred was a fine winner at a distance less than her ideal one at first asking and could be a solid prospect going forward. The Curlin juvenile posted a swift half-mile drill in advance of her first try with winners, and I expect her to be doing her best work late with Danny Sheehy in the saddle.