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The stars will come out Friday afternoon at Keeneland, opening day of the Fall meet that precedes the Breeders’ Cup at Lexington, Kentucky’s historic racecourse.

Three stakes are on the card, all Breeder’s Cup “Win, and You’re In” races. It’s an ideal way for fans and handicappers to get a line on top contenders for the season-ending championships on Oct. 30-31.

The $650,000 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) is the richest of the trio that includes the $400,000 Phoenix Stakes (G2) and $400,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2).

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Phoenix Betting: Verifire 5-2 Favorite over Hymm, Nakatomi

Phoenix, the nation’s oldest stakes race dating to 1831, draws a strong field of eleven entries. Among them is Hymn (favorite: 4-1), who recently won the Forego Stakes, and Nakatomi (favorite: 7-2), whose previous podium finishes included second place in 2023 and 2024. Winning the Phoenix grants an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Coming Back: Irad Ortiz, Jr. Returns for Nakatomi

Top jockeys will be in attendance, especially Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has returned to racing after recovering from an ankle injury suffered on August 8 at Saratoga. Ortiz will be mounting Nakatomi, who has secured three of his last four Breeders’ Cup Sprint wins with Whitmore, Elite Power, and Bentornato. Trainer Wesley Ward hopes another run at the Sprint may materialize with this horse, which has struggled to break through in the Breeders’ Cup—a third-place finish in 2023, a sixth in 2024, and a ninth place finish in the prior year.

Verifire Rises as Contender for Phoenix Domination

Contrary to expectations about the current field, Verifire presents a compelling alternative to Verifire’s presence. This young 4-year-old, currently priced at 5-2, has shown promise across recent allowances.

Verifire demonstrated strong form at Churchill Downs in June and later dominated the Reigh Count Stakes at Colonial Downs, earning praise for his improved speed figures and aggressive, dueling riding style.

After the moderate showing in an exhibition race at the Spa this month, his momentum appears poised to translate to Keeneland. Many observers believe Verifire could top the trifecta despite the strength of the opposing horses.

Despite the buzz around Verifire and Hymn, Nakatomi remains a dark horse in this stakes battle. While the horse once achieved significant success at Keeneland, he has yet to secure wins at higher-level events—the Breeders’ Cup Sprint finished third in 2023, sixth in 2024, and ninth place in 2025.

The question becomes whether Verifire can overcome the competition or if Nakatomi, bolstered by Irad Ortiz, Jr.’s strong performance record, will claim victory.

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Picks: Verifire Leads Phoenix Race Favorites

Key Contenders in the $400,000 Phoenix Stakes (G2)

# Horse Jockey Trainer Odds 1 Mad House Sonny Leon David VanWinkle 10-1 2 Booth Jose Ortiz Steve Asmussen 6-1 3 Little Thunder John Velazquez Timothy Hamm 15-1 4 Verifire Flavien Prat Brad Cox 5-2 5 Classic of Course Luis Saez Patrick Biancone 20-1 6 Viking Tyler Gaffalione David Fawkes 8-1 7 C K Wonder Juan Machado Dale Romans 30-1 8 Hymn Rafael Bejarano Ron Moquett 4-1 9 Jack’s Promise Brian Hernandez, Jr. Dale Romans 30-1 10 Nakatomi Irad Ortiz, Jr. Wesley Ward 7-2 11 Here Mi Song Edgar Morales William Stinson, Jr. 15-1

Last Updated on 09/30/2026

The writing team at US Racing comprises both full‑time and part‑time contributors with specialized expertise across every facet of horse racing athletics.

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