The $200,000 Street Sense Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, a key Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, highlights the opening day card this Sunday. Since its inception in 2013, the race has become a significant Derby prep, producing 15 Derby starters, including Sovereignty, the first to win both the Street Sense and Kentucky Derby in 2024-25. This year’s field is led by Universe, a promising colt trained by Kenny McPeek, who impressed in his debut and placed third in the Champagne (G1). Universe benefits from a favorable pace scenario, a pedigree suited for two turns, and the addition of jockey Jose Ortiz, making him a strong favorite.
Other notable contenders include Ganaas, an unbeaten sprinter with strong early speed who may control the pace, and Incredibolt, who improved markedly when stretching out to a mile in his second start. Vost and I Did I Did also have potential but need to improve their speed figures to challenge the favorites. The article’s selections favor Universe to win, followed by Ganaas, Incredibolt, and I Did I Did, inviting readers to weigh in on their picks for this important Derby prep race.
