Study Guide: 2025 Street Sense Stakes

Oct 21, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Vost wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Named in honor of 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Street Sense, Sunday's $200,000 Grade 3 Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs is a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 10-5-3-2-1 points to the top five finishers.

The 1 1/16-mile race is rising in prominence. Last year’s Street Sense winner, Sovereignty, went on to claim victory in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

Seven horses have entered the 2025 Street Sense. Let’s meet the field:

Vost

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

Owner: OXO Equine
Breeder: OXO Equine
Trainer: William Walden
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (83) when finishing third in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $87,581

Sire: Instagrand
Dam: Water White
Color: Bay

Vost has already earned Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points thanks to a third-place finish in the series-opening Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. The late-running colt is a logical candidate to finish in the top three again in the Street Sense.

It's a photo finish in the G3 Iroquois! 📸

Spice Runner nails Comport on the wire at 5/1 under @jose93_ortiz for trainer Steve Asmussen! 🏆

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/wt5d3yqLFx

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 13, 2025

Ganaas

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

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Shadwell Farm
Trainer: Andrew McKeever
Jockey: Edgar Morales

Top Speed Rating: (82) when winning a Churchill Downs allowance race.
Total Earnings: $92,484

Sire: War Front
Dam: Shurakaa
Color: Bay

Ganaas is unbeaten and unchallenged in two starts. He dominated a six-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs last month by 5 1/4 lengths, and his pedigree suggests stretching out over 1 1/16 miles will suit him well. Victory may be within reach.

Universe

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

Owner: 4 G Racing, Gregg Day, Steven Crain, and Magdalena Racing
Breeder: Becky Pietras
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (89) when finishing third in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $115,000

Sire: Global Campaign
Dam: Equalityforall
Color: Bay

The horse to beat in the Street Sense is Universe, who exits a rallying third-place finish in a fast renewal of the Champagne (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. That effort yielded an 89 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest number in the Street Sense field. Universe is progressing in the right direction for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek and has a strong chance to shine this Saturday.

Very Connected

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

Owner: Dream Big Racing
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel

Top Speed Rating: (74) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $87,500

Sire: Connect
Dam: C J’s Gal
Color: Bay

The second McPeek trainee entered in the Street Sense is Very Connected, who rallied to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last month. The fact he’s won over the Street Sense track and distance is appealing, though Very Connected will need to improve upon his career-best 74 Brisnet Speed rating to beat tougher foes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Bricklin

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

Owner: Imagine Racing
Breeder: Haymarket Farm
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (69) when winning a Horseshoe Indianapolis maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $20,068

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Majestic Vixen
Color: Dark bay/brown

Bricklin exits a tenacious triumph in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis. However, the 69 Brisnet Speed rating he earned looks light against the Street Sense field.

I Did I Did

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

Owner: Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, Turman Racing Stable, and Skychai Racing
Breeder: Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch and The Curlin Syndicate
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (80) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $92,018

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Ithinkisawapudycat
Color: Bay

I Did I Did ran well in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last month, racing in second place before taking over to win by 1 1/2 lengths. He’s bred to improve with maturity, and a top-three finish in the Street Sense isn’t out of the question.

Incredibolt

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

Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Breeder: Deann Baer and Greg Baer DVM
Trainer: Riley Mott
Jockey: Jaime Torres

Top Speed Rating: (85) when winning a Churchill Downs maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $74,111

Sire: Bolt d’Oro
Dam: Sapphire Spitfire
Color: Dark bay/brown

Incredibolt earned a sharp 85 Brisnet Speed rating when pouncing to a two-length win in a one-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. Any improvement in the Street Sense could put Incredibolt into win contention against Universe and Ganaas. It’s encouraging to note Incredibolt races for the hot jockey/trainer duo of Jaime Torres and Riley Mott, who have teamed up to win at a lofty 29% rate over the last two months.