Expert Pick of the Week: Keertana Stakes

May 22, 2025

Strikingly Spun wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

A well-matched field of eight fillies and mares will run 1 1/2 miles on the Churchill Downs lawn in Saturday’s $250,000 Keertana S. The grassy marathon could be run at a quicker early tempo than many races at this distance customarily are, so looking for a runner to rally from off the pace seems like a wise move.

Trained by Joe Sharp, Strikingly Spun has been a fairly consistent performer dating back to last campaign and has earned black-type placings in three of her last four outings. The chestnut daughter of Hard Spun was last seen running in a stakes tilt at Fair Grounds against a solid group and comes in fresh for this affair. She will stretch out from 1 1/16 miles to 12 panels on Saturday in her initial try at the trip, and I feel that she will prosper with the added ground in this spot.

#11 Strikingly Spun takes the finale at Churchill Downs under @tyler_gaff for trainer @mjsharp75_joe! 🤩

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/7KfMMiycUr

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) June 2, 2024

The Kentucky-bred mare will likely be a touch closer in the early stages of the event with less to do turning for home, and she will be a menacing figure when being asked for her best run inside the final furlong. Jose Ortiz will guide the five-year-old.

Graham Motion’s Marksman Queen will make her local debut in the contest and figures to be the one to run down in the stretch. By the mighty Dubawi, the five-year-old homebred has a lot of recent experience at distances of this nature, and she will also improve while making her second run off the layoff. The bay mare moved too early when fourth in an allowance race at Keeneland in her most recent venture and will be dangerous late with a well-timed voyage under the guidance of Frankie Dettori.

Tarneema has shown improvement since having the blinkers removed two back and seems like a nice fit for the exotics in the race. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the Shadwell homebred endured a tough trip when third at Keeneland in her latest appearance and will improve with clear sailing on this occasion. The chestnut daughter of Kitten’s Joy will save ground leading up to the top of the lane before being unleashed in the lane.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #4 Strikingly Spun on top of #2 Tarneema and #5 Marksman Queen in the 2025 Keertana Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.