Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Turfers Steal Spotlight on Final Pre-Derby Weekend

With just 1 week until the Kentucky Derby (G1), the nation’s turf runners put on shows from coast to coast. While you wait for the grass to regrow, check out who made our latest Three Stars of the Week:

1. Whisper Not

While everyone expected him to be part of the early pace, he and jockey Geovanni Franco found a new winning tactic in Saturday’s San Francisco Mile (G3), taking back and stalking before pouncing in the stretch. Local hero and Grade 1-winning mare Keeper Ofthe Stars made it difficult for Whisper Not, fighting hard against his charge, but the British-bred Richard Baltas trainee returned to his southern California base with his first stateside stakes title in hand. He presents another threat in the already-tough west coast turf mile division this year.

2. Casa Creed

The infamous up-and-down form of Casa Creed hit another high note Saturday in the Elusive Quality Stakes when he came out on top in a blanket photo finish against five other stakes champions. His connections felt that after facing the world’s best grass milers in 2020, a slight cut back in distance would be to his advantage, and they were proven correct. His versatility and tactical speed give them options moving forward, but during the current Belmont Park meet, don’t be surprised if he remains in one-turn stakes when possible.

3. War Like Goddess

How good is this filly?! Even after running 1 1/4 miles in Friday’s Bewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, she still had plenty left in the tank and drew off easily in the stretch for her fourth victory in 5 career starts. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s patience to wait until late in her 3-year-old season to debut her in a race has paid off very well, as she’s now a multiple graded stakes champion in her second year of competition. When she shows up in New York this summer against the best in the nation, horse racing fans everywhere will enjoy the fireworks.