Who Dey, Saudi Crown, Tarifa Lead Ellis Stakes Action

Maccabee Farm's accomplished Ohio-bred Who Dey  leads a field of seven 3-year-olds entered in the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby on a six-stakes program Aug. 11 at Ellis Park.

The Ellis Park Derby, run at one mile on the main track, is the second stakes race of the day and the sixth overall race at 2:26 p.m. CT.

In addition to the Ellis Park Derby, the day includes $175,000 Groupie Doll Stakes, the $175,000 Audubon Oaks, the $175,000 Ellis Park Debutante Stakes, the $175,000 Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes, and the $150,000 R.A. "Cowboy" Jones Stakes. FMQ Stables' grade 1 winner, the Brad Cox-trained Saudi Crown , leads a deep field in that mile race, Sunday's fifth race.

Who Dey, trained by Tommy Drury Jr., finished a game second to Society Man  two months ago in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Before that, Who Dey's 2024 campaign includes a runner-up effort in the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland and a fourth-place finish to eventual Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Grey  in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2). Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning rider Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call in the Ellis Park Derby from the rail.

Who Dey Races races without blinkers for the first time since fall. He won his initial three starts in Ohio without the equipment and added a win at Churchill Downs in November with blinkers. He went 4-for-4 as a juvenile.

The Ellis Park Derby field also includes Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Catalytic , 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) third-place finisher Stretch Ride , and undefeated Most Wanted .

Following the Ellis Park Derby

Walmac Farm, Five Fillies Stable, and Ryan Ritt's dominant Bashford Manor Stakes winner Politicallycorrect  battles Boardshorts Stables' quick debut winner Owen Almighty  and five other 2-year-olds entered in the seven-furlong Ellis Park Juvenile. Owen Almighty breaks from the far outside after scoring with a wide, pace-pressing trip in his lone start.

Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing's eye-catching 16 3/4-length maiden special weight winner Stilettos  invades Kentucky from her home base in Texas to take on nine fellow 2-year-old fillies entered in the Ellis Park Debutante, another seven-furlong race.

Godolphin's two-time grade 2 winner Tarifa  is set for her return since finishing ninth three months ago in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) when she breaks from the rail against seven other 3-year-old fillies entered in Audubon Oaks.

Richard Bahde's 2023 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) heroine Taxed  and Whitham Thoroughbreds' Iowa Distaff Stakes winner Magical Lute  head a competitive field of 10 fillies and mares running in the one-mile Groupie Doll.