Usha Brings Grade 1 Form to Winning Colors Stakes

Grade 1 winner Usha  aims to add to her graded stakes credentials May 25 in the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

The 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law   earned her grade 1 stripes in the Dec. 28 La Brea Stakes (G1) going 7 furlongs at Santa Anita Park. She won the La Brea by 5 1/4 lengths, so trainer Bob Baffert brought her east to contest the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day. Usha finished third in that race, making her the only entry in the Winning Colors field with a win and a place in grade 1 company.

Usha is raced by longtime partners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. The filly will be ridden by Florent Geroux.

Poised to upset Usha's plans is Godolphin homebred Kapoor , a 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo who has won her last four starts by an average of about 5 lengths. She comes into the 6-furlong Winning Colors off a win by 6 1/2 lengths in an April 8 allowance optional claiming race going about 7 furlongs at Keeneland.

Kapoor captured her first win nearly a year ago at Churchill Downs going 7 furlongs and followed by winning two 6-furlong allowance-level races for trainer Bill Mott. Junior Alvarado has the mount in the Winning Colors.

John Gallegos' homebred grade 3 winner One Magic Philly  also looks to regain her graded form. Last out, she won the April 25 Roxelana Stakes at Churchill.