First Look: Baffert duo Barnes, Gaming target Perryville

Del Mar hosts the Breeders' Cup in two weeks, but this week brings enough action to satisfy any horseplayer craving before the championship event arrives. Bob Baffert sends out Gaming and Barnes in Saturday's Grade 3 Perryville at Keeneland, giving both 3-year-olds a shot at redemption after recent disappointments.

The two talented colts take on Keeneland's seven-furlong test as both are seeking to rediscover the form that made them stakes winners earlier this year. Gaming won the Affirmed at Santa Anita earlier this year but exits a distant third in the Shared Belief. Barnes has hit the board in several graded stakes this year but hasn't found the winner’s circle since January. The field also includes Kentucky Derby 2025 runner Owen Almighty, who comes in off a clunker at Charles Town but showed plenty of ability earlier in the year.

Six graded stakes across Keeneland, Aqueduct and Woodbine this week offer horseplayers solid opportunities before Breeders' Cup fever heats up.

Friday

Oklahoma Classics Cup, Remington Park, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Mister Omaha seeks redemption after a third-place finish in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), where he set the pace before faltering late. The 3-year-old colt previously ended up fourth in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs and third in the Iowa Derby. He remains dangerous off his dominant 18 1/4-length romp at Will Rogers Down in May.

Saturday

Sands Point (G2), Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles, turf, fillies, 3-year-olds

Pretty Picture takes an unbeaten record into graded-stakes competition after two victories this year. The Chad Brown filly captured a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden by 1 1/4 lengths Aug. 6 and returned Sept. 6 to score by a half-length in a sloppy one-mile allowance at Monmouth.

Raven Run (G2), Keeneland, 7 furlongs, fillies, 3-year-olds

Om N Joy aims for a sixth consecutive victory in her first graded-stakes attempt. The California-based filly captured the Torrey Pines (G3) at Del Mar by a neck in her most recent start, following wins in the Fleet Treat and Melair. Simply Joking returns after a troubled Kentucky Oaks (G1), where she came home a disappointing 13th. Quietside also exits the Kentucky Oaks, placing sixth after tracking the pace. The daughter of Malibu Moon owns a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form, from her Fantasy (G2) triumph at Oaklawn.

Perryville (G3), Keeneland, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Barnes stretches out slightly after ending up fourth as the favorite in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx, where he rallied from 10th. Gaming returns from a third-place finish in the Shared Belief, where he finished 14 1/2 lengths behind Citizen Bull. He rolled to victory in the Affirmed at Santa Anita in June by 1 3/4 lengths. Kentucky Derby 2025 runner Owen Almighty eyes a return to winning form after fading to eighth in the Robert Hilton Memorial at Charles Town. The son of Speightstown came home fifth in the Kentucky Derby after pressing the pace and leading at one point.

Ontario Derby (G3), Woodbine, 1 1/8 miles, synthetic, 3-year-olds

Runaway Again stunned the field in the Prince of Wales last time, rallying to defeat King's Plate winner Mansetti by a nose in the Canadian Triple Crown's second leg. The 3-year-old had placed 10th in the King's Plate two starts back after getting bumped at the break. He earned his stakes opportunity with a maiden-breaking 9 1/4-length score at Woodbine in July.

Sunday

Dowager (G3), Keeneland, 1 1/2 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Duvet Day finished fourth in back-to-back graded stakes, the Ladies Marathon (G3) at Kentucky Downs and the Beverly D (G2) at Colonial Downs. She placed second in the Anchorage at Churchill Downs before those efforts. The 6-year-old mare won the Cardinal (G3) last fall at Churchill Downs and has hit the board in five of her last six starts.