G1 Winners Matareya, Society Battle in Chicago Stakes

Though two of the top three finishers from the May 6 Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs headed north to run in the June 17 Bed o' Roses Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, the race's winner, Matareya , has remained in Kentucky to contest the June 24 Chicago Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park.

Godolphin's homebred Matareya, a dual grade 1-winning 4-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile  and earner of more than $1.5 million, looms the favorite in the six-horse Chicago Stakes, a $225,000 sprint for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Also entered are grade 3 stakes winner Hidden Connection  and grade 1 winner Society .

Last year's Acorn Stakes (G1) winner, Matareya went to the sidelines after a third in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course last summer. The Brad Cox trainee then returned in 2023 with a second to Wicked Halo  in the March 31 Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park. She turned the tables on that rival last out in the Derby City Distaff, a race in which champion Goodnight Olive  ran into traffic problems and finished third.

Goodnight Olive and Wicked Halo were 1-2 in the June 17 Bed o' Roses.

Flavien Prat rides Matareya, who carries high weight of 123 pounds.

Society, 0-for-3 since leading from start to finish in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) last September at Parx Racing, most recently was ninth in the 1 1/16-mile La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs May 5.