An intriguing editions of the $350,000 Grade III Perryville Stakes for three-year-olds over 1,400m during Keeneland’s fall meet on Saturday, October 18 features runners from Kentucky Derby day back in the Bluegrass State.
Owen Almighty wasn’t disgraced when fifth past the wire in the Run for the Roses back on May 3. Earlier on the Kentucky Derby schedule, Gaming made the show in the Grade II Pat Day Mile. Both switch to the Commonwealth’s other racetrack with sights lowered from the spring. Both started the season as Triple Crown prospects, but as with so many thoroughbreds before them, such dreams died.
While there’s no shame in not quite making it as Kentucky Derby horses, some reinvent themselves as sprinters or even milers. The Perryville Stakes is at an intermediate distance between those divisions. Gaming isn’t the only bullet Bob Baffert fires at the contest either with topweight Barnes another swapping the Triple Crown trail for something different.
Oddsmakers don’t favour either shipping to the Bluegrass State from California or Brian Lynch’s Owen Almighty. The Morning Line favorite with Kentucky Derby betting sites here is Captain Cook from the Todd Pletcher barn. He finished a nose behind Patch Adams in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes around Saratoga over the summer.
Barnes was a length-and-a-half behind in third, but now meets Captain Cook off 5lb worse terms from the Spa. For all Baffert’s Into Mischief goal made some late gains as the wire approached, that swing in weight against him makes it difficult to see how he can turnabout the form. Gaming only concedes 2lb to Captain Cook with Owen Almighty meeting him off level terms.
Owen Almighty Should Strip Fitter for Reappearance in Perryville Stakes
Back-to-back Grade 1 wins for PATCH ADAMS as he takes the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes with Luis Saez up for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/He4Gu9gHOG
— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2025
The Morning Line may have Captain Cook as a strong favorite as he’s 2-3 over 1,400m after his career best during Saratoga’s summer meet, but his prior form is less encouraging. Pletcher’s Practical Joke colt missed the show in the Wood Memorial and the winner of that, Rodriguez, earlier ran third behind Barnes when he placed to Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes. The front two pulled well clear that day.
Owen Almighty outran his Kentucky Derby odds and longshot status finishing fifth, meanwhile. He actually hit the front 400m from the wire, but weakened in the final furlong as the stamina of other horses even in sloppy conditions kicked in. Dropping back in distance for something like the Perryville Stakes could actually prove a smart play by connections.
Although damsire Bayern should add plenty of staying power from a pedigree perspective, Owen Almighty’s mom couldn’t make the show in the Kentucky Oaks in her own career on the track. Sire Speightstown, meanwhile, delivered sprint successes in the Churchill Downs Handicap, True North, Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap and Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Alongside how he shaped with the Kentucky Derby result, it leaves the impression that Owen Almighty could open up new avenues over this distance. He should come on plenty for his return to action at Charles Town in August with the Perryville Stakes a likely fall target. Baffert gave Gaming a shorter break and spin around Del Mar last time is something he could build on.
Barnes certainly needs to go back up in distance after flying home from last spot turning for home to finish fourth in the Gallant Bob. Completing the line-up here are a couple of longshots in Dale Romans runner Taylor’s Vision on the upgrade and Rolando for the Fausto Gutierrez barn.
Perryville Stakes 2025 Post Positions Draw & Morning Line Odds
- Gaming (120lbs) – 8-1
- Taylor’s Vision (118lbs) – 6-1
- Barnes (123lbs) – 5-2
- Owen Almighty (118lbs) – 4-1
- Captain Cook (118lbs) – 6-5 fav
- Rolando (120lbs) – 12-1
Our Handicapper’s Verdict
With Captain Cook forecast at short prices by oddsmakers when he didn’t even win his Grade I at the Spa last time, value lies elsewhere. Given how well the Kentucky Derby form has worked out this season, Owen Almighty could be the answer if making the anticipated improvement from his return to action and prep race for this.
Of the Baffert duo, the terms just don’t favor Barnes now matter how fast he flew home to the wire at Parx over a shorter distance last time. His penalty could anchor him down. Gaming looks a real big price on the pick of his form that includes a Del Mar Futurity success at this trip last fall.
WATCH: Owen Almighty Run in the Kentucky Derby
