Following fourth-place finishes in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), Chief Wallabee is set to receive some class relief July 29 when facing five rivals in the $150,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Mike and Katherine Ball's homebred son of Constitution has been well thought of since a 1 1/2-length debut triumph at Gulfstream Park in January. He then dived into deeper waters immediately with narrow defeats to Commandment in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1).
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott added blinkers for the Triple Crown races, and believes they have helped keep him running straighter in the stretch. Although he's proven himself as one of the leading 3-year-olds, he still lacks a second career win and, with the Travers Stakes (G1) approaching Aug. 29, the Curlin provides an opportunity for a confidence booster.
Among his chief competition will be BR Thoroughbreds, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing's Blackout Time who, after receiving his own class relief after finishing off the board in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) to start the year at Oaklawn Park, dominated a field of allowance rivals by 6 lengths June 27 over a sloppy (sealed) Churchill Downs track.
Augustin Stables homebred Zihnal is another leading contender off a respectable fourth-place finish in the July 11 Indiana Derby (G3).
Entries: Curlin S. Presented by Casamigos
Saratoga Race Course, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Race 6
- STK
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 3 yo
- 4:05 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Blackout Time (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 3/1 |
| 2 | 2Gulfy (KY) | Kendrick Carmouche | 120 | Gustavo Rodriguez | 12/1 |
| 3 | 3Zihnal (KY) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 120 | Jonathan Thomas | 9/2 |
| 4 | 4Chief Wallabee (KY) | Junior Alvarado | 120 | William I. Mott | 4/5 |
| 5 | 5Tiernanogue (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 120 | Brendan P. Walsh | 12/1 |
| 6 | 6Sea Strike (KY) | Flavien Prat | 120 | Chad C. Brown | 6/1 |
