Head to Head: Splendora vs. Immersive in the Shawnee

Laurie

Ashley

1. Gin Gin (6-1)

Gin Gin’s 5-year-old season got off to a bumpy start in the Doubledogdare (G3). After a slowish break, she didn’t get her customary pacesetter position and had a wide trip. Nonetheless, she began her rally around the turn but was slammed hard about mid-stretch, knocking the gin gin out of her bottle. The Brendan Walsh trainee had a recent four-furlong breeze in 48.20, third-best of 41. Live long shot.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Gin Gin blows hot and cold and prefers Keeneland above any other track. She gave us two of three career best efforts last year in the Doubledogdare (G3) and Spinster (G1) at the picturesque track. Her third-best effort? Right here in last year’s edition of the Shawnee, in which she ran second to Royal Spa and received a 99 Brisnet Speed Rating. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen that version of the mare in her last two starts. She wrapped up 2025 by being eased in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and kicked off 2026 with a distant seventh in the Doubledogdare, 16 lengths behind winner Alpine Princess. The daughter of Hightail may have needed the start, and Walsh is 19% wins with a 47% in-the-money clip with runners second off the layoff over the last year, according to Brisnet. Luis Saez, who has been aboard for her last three starts, has the return call. Exotics.

2. Take Charge Omaha (20-1)

Take Charge Omaha has been hit or miss throughout her career. During her stakes debut in a salty La Troienne (G1), the Matthew Sims charge made a sustained drive but was bothered by Drexel Hill and had to take up slightly and change course while still gaining ground. She finished about 1 1/2 lengths behind the fourth-place finisher, Miss Justify. Despite the mishap, Take Charge Omaha earned a 90 Brisnet rating and a 105 speed figure. Still must prove she can run with the big girls but can close in a speed-filled race, making her an intriguing prospect. But I’d love to see her return to turf, since she’s bred for it and has sharp graded turf winners up close in her pedigree. Lower exotics prospect.  

Trained by Matthew Sims, Take Charge Omaha was last seen finishing seventh in the La Troienne (G1), seven lengths behind winner Shred the Gnar. In her only other stakes start, Take Charge Omaha was fourth in the restricted Oaklawn Sports Overnight Stakes. The filly has been in the money in three of her five starts at 1 1/16 miles but never in stakes company. Mario Gutierrez has the return call from the La Troienne. Pass.

3. Miss Justify (12-1)

Miss Justify showed speed and fade in the La Troienne, her first start in about a year and first for Brendan Walsh. She drag raced out of the gate and held on for as long as she could. Although she does her best work on the lead, Miss Justify has pressed in the past. She also is stepping up and must prove she belongs with graded types. Exotics.

Also from the Walsh barn, Miss Justify enters off a fourth-place effort in the La Troienne. She set the early tempo but couldn’t close the deal, finishing 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner Shred the Gnar. It was her first start in nearly a year after being given time off following a distant fourth in the 2025 edition of the Bed o’ Roses (G2). She also moved from Todd Pletcher’s barn to Walsh’s. Walsh has 19% wins with a 48% in-the-money clip with runners making their second start with him after a barn switch and 19% wins with a 47% in-the-money clip with runners second off a layoff in the past year, according to Brisnet. Tyler Gaffalione gets the return call. Lower exotics.

4. Majestic Oops (3-1)

The modestly bred Majestic Oops raced her way up from the allowance optional claiming ranks at Century Mile to a multiple listed and Grade 2 winner with earnings over $1 million. Majestic Oops last was seen finishing a distant third in the Apple Blossom (G1) after spending most of the race in rush-hour traffic. The Phil D'Amato trainee will settle a few lengths off the lead before making her move. Her best speed ratings are in the upper 90s, and if she runs back to her winning Azeri (G2) effort, Majestic Oops could be tough. Contender.

Now in the barn of Philip D’Amato, Majestic Oops last was seen finishing third to the late Claret Beret in the Apple Blossom. The 6-year-old is better known for sprinting but can stretch out to short routes. She won the 1 1/16-mile Azeri this year and is 8: 3-2-1 overall at the distance. Majestic Oops has one prior start at Churchill Downs, a neck loss in a one-mile starter allowance in November 2024. D’Amato has 19% wins with a 47% in-the-money rate with runners first off a barn switch over the last year. Francisco Arrieta, who was aboard for the mare’s last three races (3: 2-0-1), has the return call. Contender.

5. Splendora (6-5)

Splendora finished a shocking fourth in the Distaff (G1) on Kentucky Derby day, snapping her five-race win streak after pressing a blistering pace. It was her first trip away from California and her first off a short layoff. The Bob Baffert trainee has the class but must prove she can carry her speed beyond a mile. Contender.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Splendora last was seen finishing fourth as the even-money favorite in the Derby City Distaff (G1). Before that, she had won five straight, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the D. Wayne Lukas (G2), and the Beholder Mile (G1). Like Majestic Oops, Splendora is a known sprinter. In her only attempt at 1 1/16 miles, she finished second to Richi, beaten by 4 1/2 lengths in the Santa Maria (G2). Flavien Prat gets the return call. Contender.

6. Too Much Kiki (15-1)

Too Much Kiki is a long way from Lone Star, where she’s a multiple stakes winner. She was a well-beaten second against Texas state-breds in her last two starts sprinting, and although she closed for fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Houston Ladies Classic (G3), she has a lot to do to be competitive here. Pass.

Trained by Bret Calhoun, Too Much Kiki has raced primarily against Texas-breds at Lone Star and Sam Houston. She finished second in her last two starts, the Bluebonnet Stakes and the Yellow Rose Stakes. She’s tried graded company once before, a fourth-place finish in the Houston Lady’s Classic (G3), beaten for it all by just 1 1/2 lengths. She didn’t face much in that race and was at one of her home tracks. On paper, she’s outclassed here despite getting a jockey upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Pass.

7. Immersive (7-2)

The 2024 champion 2-year-old filly Immersive has been hit or miss since returning from injury after the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Brad Cox trainee gained ground for second in the seven-furlong Distaff (G3) at Aqueduct in her 4-year-old debut and fired a second-to-last five-furlong bullet in 1:00.20, best of 21. All systems go. Contender.

Trained by Brad Cox, Immersive was last seen finishing second as the odds-on favorite in the Distaff (G3) at Aqueduct. The champion 2-year-old filly of 2024 is 4: 3-1-0 at 1 1/16 miles, missing being undefeated at the distance by a neck, and 2: 1-1-0 at Churchill Downs. But she really didn’t take a step forward as a 3-year-old last year, going 3: 1-2-0, including a 15-length drubbing in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). But she’s returning to her preferred distance and a track she likes, and Irad Ortiz Jr. replaces former regular rider, Manny Franco. Contender.