Study Guide: 2025 Bowling Green Stakes

Jul 11, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Tawny Port winning the 2022 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)

Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni can turn up in a wide variety of races as their careers go on. Some develop into sprinters. Others turn out to be turf horses.

Tawny Port falls in the latter category. The seventh-place finisher from the 2022 Kentucky Derby has developed into a capable grass runner, and he’s one of 11 horses entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Bowling Green (G2), a 1 3/8-mile turf test at Saratoga.

Let’s meet the full Bowling Green field:

Starting Over

Start(s): 27
Wins: 5
Place: 4
Show: 5

Owner: Nice Guys Stables
Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr.
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing third in the Cape Henlopen S. at Delaware Park.
Total Earnings: $564,145

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Vanishing
Color: Gray/roan

In the 2024 Mac Diarmida (G2) racing 1 3/8 miles at Gulfstream Park, Starting Over defeated Tawny Port by a neck. This effective long-distance grass runner exits a close third in the Cape Henlopen S. and shouldn’t be underestimated at Saratoga.

El Rezeen

Start(s): 8
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Shadwell Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in a Keeneland allowance.
Total Earnings: $221,550

Sire: English Channel
Dam: Karama
Color: Chestnut

A close third in the 1 3/8-mile Jockey Club Derby (G3) last fall, El Rezeen has yet to win a stakes, but he’s run only once this year and still has upside. He finished second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance to start 2025 and should improve while stretching back out in distance.

Tawny Port

Start(s): 25
Wins: 5
Place: 3
Show: 5

Owner: Peachtree Stable
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Miguel Clement
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (106) when finishing third in the United Nations (G2) at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $1,321,562

Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
Dam: Livi Makenzie
Color: Dark bay/brown

Tawny Port has earned over $1.3 million during his decorated career, and he’s run competitively in a bevy of graded stakes on turf. But he hasn’t come close to challenging in two starts this year, so he’ll need a rebound to factor in the Bowling Green.

WATCH → the replay of the @StonestreetFarm Lexington (G3) as Tawny Port comes from off the pace and takes control down the lane at #Keeneland. With the win, the #KeeSept grad earns another 20 #KyDerby points.@bradcoxracing @flothejock pic.twitter.com/YB3pfqMusd

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 16, 2022

Tucson

Start(s): 5
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: WinStar Farm and Rock Ridge Racing
Breeder: CHC
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $171,905

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Cozze Up Lady
Color: Chestnut

Tucson proved much the best in a 1 1/2-mile turf allowance during the spring at Keeneland, winning by 2 3/4 lengths. But when he made his stakes debut in the Manhattan (G1) at Saratoga, he tired to finish last of 10. He’ll need a stronger performance to challenge in the Bowling Green.

Webslinger

Start(s): 20
Wins: 5
Place: 6
Show: 4

Owner: D J Stable
Breeder: Kenneth L. Ramsey and Sarah K. Ramsey
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing second in the Colonial Cup at Colonial Downs.
Total Earnings: $1,433,589

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Arana
Color: Bay

No matter how tough the competition, Webslinger is usually in the hunt for a top-three finish. Runner-up by a head in the 2023 Saratoga Derby (G1), Webslinger took the 1 3/8-mile Chorleywood S. last year, demonstrating his prowess over the Bowling Green distance. Another top-three finish is well within reach.

Harrow

Start(s): 28
Wins: 10
Place: 3
Show: 5

Owner: Averill Racing
Breeder: Lantern Hill Farm
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing second in the Cape Henlopen S. at Delaware Park.
Total Earnings: $400,570

Sire: Lea
Dam: Camille Garey
Color: Bay

Harrow finished a head better than Starting Over when second in the Cape Henlopen S. last time out. The seven-year-old gelding is gradually improving, and it’s possible we haven’t seen his best yet.

Far Bridge

Start(s): 17
Wins: 8
Place: 3
Show: 3

Owner: LSU Stables
Breeder: Calumet Farm
Trainer: Miguel Clement
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (104) when finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Total Earnings: $2,262,980

Sire: English Channel
Dam: Fitpitcher
Color: Bay

Hands-down the horse to beat in the Bowling Green is Far Bridge, winner of the Sword Dancer (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) racing 1 1/2 miles in New York last year. He’s been sharp in 2025, winning the 1 1/2-mile Pan American (G3) and 1 3/8-mile Man o’ War (G2) before placing third by a neck in the 1 1/8-mile Manhattan (G1). Stretching back out over a longer distance should send Far Bridge back to the winner’s circle.

Far Bridge was much the best in the G2 Man O'War at Aqueduct! 🏆@JRosarioJockey was aboard for trainer @clementstable! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/UIVJFGrZQn

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 10, 2025

Corruption

Start(s): 8
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Harry Colburn
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Churchill Downs $80,000 allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $263,525

Sire: Medaglia d’Oro
Dam: Thundering Sky
Color: Dark bay/brown

Corruption was beaten only a neck by Far Bridge in the Pan American before finishing fourth (4 1/2 lengths behind Far Bridge) in the Manhattan. This former claimer is improving, and his respectable tries against the Bowling Green favorite stamp him as a logical contender this Saturday.

Yo Daddy

Start(s): 21
Wins: 6
Place: 5
Show: 5

Owner: Winning Move Stable
Breeder: Big Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch
Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Top Speed Rating: (103) when winning an Aqueduct $80,000 allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $431,159

Sire: Yoshida
Dam: Elle Stormin’
Color: Bay

In the event that rain causes the Bowling Green to be switched from turf to dirt, three main-track-only entrants will be allowed to race. The first of these is Yo Daddy, who exits top-three finishes in the Westchester (G3) and Belmont Gold Cup (G3) on dirt. He has plenty of stamina and will be a logical contender if he draws in.

Kuchar

Start(s): 18
Wins: 4
Place: 3
Show: 3

Owner: LSU Stables
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Jockey: TBA

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing fifth in the Suburban (G2) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $406,940

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Street Girl
Color: Bay

The second main-track-only entrant is Kuchar. He’s run well on dirt in the past, winning four times, but he’s lost his last three starts by double-digit margins and would need a rebound to factor in the Bowling Green.

Game Warden

Start(s): 22
Wins: 5
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: Flying P Stable
Breeder: Bonne Chance Farm
Trainer: Norm Casse
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing second in the Temperence Hill S. at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $370,541

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Glory and Power
Color: Bay

If the Bowling Green is rained off the turf, don’t underestimate tried-and-true dirt campaigner Game Warden. Top-three finishes in the Temperence Hill S. and Isaac Murphy Marathon racing 1 1/2 miles indicate he has the talent and stamina to challenge.