Bodacious, Vodka With a Twist Head Churchill Stakes

Many of the top 2-year-olds in the country will race this summer at Saratoga Race Course or Del Mar. But those tracks are not unique in attracting quick juveniles—a fact on display June 30 when Churchill Downs hosts a pair of $225,000 stakes for juveniles, the Bashford Manor Stakes and Debutante Stakes, on the closing day of its spring meet.

Besides the usual group of Kentucky-based horses, last-race participants from California, Texas, Indiana, New York, Florida, and Louisiana are entered in the pair of six-furlong races.

Bodacious , who rolled by 5 3/4 lengths in front-running fashion May 3 at Santa Anita Park, brings his California speed into the race. Quickly in front in his debut after an opening quarter-mile in :21.99, he extended his advantage throughout to defeat favored R Heisman  with 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.01.

The California-bred son of Smokem , co-owned by breeder Terry Lovingier with Griffin Stables and Paul Sabesky, earned a 93 Equibase Speed Figure in his debut triumph. Joel Rosario picks up the ride for trainer Jorge Periban in the 13-horse lineup.

A shorter field of seven goes to post in the Debutante for 2-year-old fillies in which the newly acquired second-out Churchill Downs maiden winner Vodka With a Twist  races for new trainer Phil D’Amato and owners Medallion Racing, Omar Aldabbagh, and Bill Strauss.

Glee , So There She Was , and Adeera  head the opposition.