Long before the Pat Day Mile of 2025, this Grade II contest used to be a trial for the Kentucky Derby and held a week before the Run for the Roses. Nowadays, it takes place on the same card as the big one at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3 and has an excellent recent history of top horses winning it.
A field of nine runners try following in the hoofprints of Jackie’s Warrior, Jack Christopher and Seize The Grey, who landed the Preakness last year. Now that his ban from having runners at Churchill Downs has expired, California trainer Bob Baffert is back and has a couple of entries.
Madaket Road could’ve been among the Kentucky Derby horses later on the card, yet reroutes here. The Rebel Stakes second missed the show in the Florida Derby, perhaps lacking the stamina needed for a Triple Crown bid.
A roan grey colt by Quality Road, Madaket Road has the shortest Morning Line odds for the Pat Day Mile in 2025 at 2-1. Baffert’s barn has another runner in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Gaming.
He carries a penalty for a prior Grade I victory in the fall, however, and must give weight to the rest of the field. Despite that and no win in four runs since September, Gaming is also favored at 3-1.
In light of past controversies surrounding Baffert runners in Kentucky Derby results at this meet, success for either of his horses here will create a talking point. He’s not the only trainer with two entries or switching one to this target, though.
Built Also Switched to Pat Day Mile 2025
Built breezed five furlongs today in :59 2/5 at @ChurchillDowns. Trainer Wayne Catalano will talk with ownership now to decide on whether he will enter the @KentuckyDerby or Pat Day Mile. pic.twitter.com/d8Nc2FhBlx
— Sean Collins (@BH_SCollins) April 24, 2025
The Wayne Catalano barn also choose to run Built here, rather than in the big one. He wintered at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, winning the Gun Runner Stakes before Christmas. Since then, however, he’s 0-3 in graded races.
Built went down by a neck in the Lecomte Stakes to Disco Time, only to see that form turned about by Magnitude in the Risen Star. He still made the show, but then only manged fifth spot in the Louisiana Derby.
Dropping back in distance for the Pat Day Mile of 2025 looks a smart play. Apart from Baffert’s pair, Built is third best on Kentucky Derby betting sites here at 7-2.
Like Baffert, Todd Pletcher has two previous wins in the race and bids for more success with Gate To Wire. This Munnings colt enjoyed Listed success at Gulfstream Park before finishing fifth in the Grade II Fountain Of Youth Stakes around the Florida track.
Gate To Wire is the only other runner forecast at single figure odds on Kentucky Derby day for this at 6-1. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has a couple of longshot horses in the line-up as well.
They are Innovator and Perfect Force. Lukas is a four-time winner of the race, but neither runner looks favored despite the barn saddling Seize The Grey to success in this 12 months ago.
Completing the field are California Burrito, Macho Music and Smoken Wicked. Each of these are 12-1 chances on the Morning Line with only Innovator favored less by oddsmakers. If handicappers have it right, then it’s between Baffert’s duo and Built.
Pat Day Mile 2025 Post Positions
- Madaket Road (2-1 fav)
- Built (7-2)
- California Burrito (12-1)
- Smoken Wicked (12-1)
- Gate To Wire (6-1)
- Gaming (3-1)
- Macho Music (12-1)
- Innovator (20-1)
- Perfect Force (12-1)
