Regret Stakes filled with options

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – What the Regret Stakes lacks in star power it makes up for in competitiveness. Of the five graded stakes to be run Saturday night at Churchill Downs, it can boast the biggest field and arguably the greatest allure for bettors.

There is no standout favorite among the 11 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3, $100,000 Regret, which directly follows the Stephen Foster Handicap as the ninth of 11 races (post, 10:11 p.m. Eastern). Sweeping Paddy and Proctor’s Ledge, both in off creditable efforts in the Edgewood Stakes here last month, will be among those taking steady play in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, although a handful of others deserve close scrutiny, too.

Sweeping Paddy was third behind the favored stable coupling of La Coronel and Dream Dancing in the May 5 Edgewood. She has trained right along in the interim for Dale Romans and now comes favorably drawn in post 2, with Luis Saez back from New York to ride.

“If she runs her race like we think she will, we ought to be tough,” said Romans.

Proctor’s Ledge (post 4, Corey Lanerie) was fourth in the Edgewood and appears to have bounced out of it well, having recorded four breezes since May 23 for red-hot trainer Brendan Walsh.

Solid chances at slightly bigger prices seem to rest with the likes of Summer Luck, Savannah Belle, Fizzy Friday, and Chubby Star.

This is the 48th running of the Regret, named for the horse who in 1915 became the first of three fillies to win of the Kentucky Derby. Walsh won the 2016 renewal of the Regret with Auntie Joy, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr.

The Regret is the final leg in the all-graded stakes pick five (races 5-9) and is part of the late pick five (races 7-11).

KEY CONTENDERS

Sweeping Paddy, by Paddy O’Prado Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-79

◗ Bred and owned by a partnership headed by local executive Frank Jones Jr., this filly has consistently used a handy running style and has met some of the best in her division. Proctor’s Ledge, by Ghostzapper Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-84

◗ This Patricia Moseley homebred returned $100 in winning a Pegasus World Cup Day maiden race at Gulfstream Park and has proceeded to prove several times over that it was no fluke.

Fizzy Friday, by Royal Applause Beyer: 75

◗ After making her first two starts in Ireland, she came to the United States and trainer Ignacio Correas. In her only start in this country, she broke sluggishly and finished second against males in a May 29 allowance here.

Summer Luck, by Lookin At Lucky Last 3 Beyers: 65-69-79

◗ Mark Casse-trained filly moves to turf for the first time. She has run in graded stakes in her last four starts.