Study Guide: 2025 Holy Bull Stakes

Jan 27, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Ferocious breaking his maiden at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Seven horses will vie for 20-10-6-4-2 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points in Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/16-mile race marks the return of Ferocious, one of the most accomplished juveniles to compete in 2024.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the field:

Kinetic Control

Kinetic Control wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Breeder: White Fox Farm
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (89) when finishing second in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $107,761

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Devious d’Oro
Color: Dark bay/brown

Kinetic Control led all the way to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last time out, but he’ll need to improve upon the 78 Brisnet Speed rating he received to challenge against tougher competition in the Holy Bull.

Ferocious

Ferocious breaking his maiden at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, High Step Racing, and Marquee Bloodstock
Breeder: Gentry Stable
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a Saratoga maiden special weight and when finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $287,500

Sire: Flatter
Dam: Napier
Color: Dark bay/brown

With runner-up finishes in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and Hopeful (G1) under his belt, Ferocious is easily the most accomplished horse in the Holy Bull field. He’s also the fastest from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective. But he’s posted only three timed workouts since returning from a late autumn break, so there’s a chance Ferocious will be short of his peak in the Holy Bull, which marks his first race in three months.

East Avenue was much the best and picks up 10 #KentuckyDerby points in the G1 Breeders' Futurity! 🏆🌹 @Tyler_Gaff @brenpwalsh @godolphin

🎥#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/p53htmMtbs

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 5, 2024

Tappan Street

Tappan Street wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)

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

Owner: WinStar Farm, CHC, and Cold Press Racing
Breeder: Blue Heaven Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $24,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Virginia Key
Color: Bay

Tappan Street unleashed a determined homestretch charge to win his debut in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. The $1 million yearling acquisition earned a promising 89 Brisnet Speed rating and has upside to improve while stretching out in distance for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Brad Cox, who wins at a lofty 29% rate with horses running long for the first time.

Guns Loaded

Guns Loaded wins the Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Morplay Racing, Joey Platts, and Lady Sheila Stable
Breeder: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Jose D’Angelo
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $180,140

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Sky My Sky
Color: Dark bay/brown

Guns Loaded has lots of speed, which he used to wire a six-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs and the one-mile Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park. But Guns Loaded was tiring down the Mucho Macho Man homestretch and earned a lower Brisnet Speed rating (91) than in his maiden win (98), so there’s a chance stretching out around two turns for the Holy Bull will push the limits of Guns Loaded’s stamina.

He’s Not Joking

He's Not Joking wins the Grey S. at Woodbine. (Photo by Michael Burns Photo)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Di Scola Boys Stable
Breeder: James Wasserson
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Grey (G3) at Woodbine.
Total Earnings: $113,891

Sire: Practical Joke
Dam: Collegeville Girl
Color: Bay

He’s Not Joking thrived competing over the synthetic Tapeta track at Woodbine last year, most notably winning the Grey (G3) by four lengths. But he misfired when trying dirt in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), finishing eighth by a wide margin, so sticking to dirt for the Holy Bull is a question mark.

Burning Glory

Burning Glory wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Juddmonte
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $96,600

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Hail
Color: Bay

Burning Glory has improved with every start so far, culminating with a narrow triumph in a one-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. He’s progressing in the right direction for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and can factor in the Holy Bull if he takes another step forward.

Burnham Square

Burnham Square wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Edgard Zayas

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $50,430

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Linda
Color: Bay

Burnham Square was tons the best in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 28, dominating by nine lengths with a 94 Brisnet Speed rating. He’s sticking to the same track and distance for the Holy Bull and looms as a dangerous win threat, especially since expected favorite Ferocious is returning from a layoff.

Kentucky Derby week, spring meet tickets go on sale Thursday (Jan 30, 2025) at noon!

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• Opening Night: The Great Gatsby, A Louisville Legacy | Saturday, April 26
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