Pat Day Mile Stakes 2021 Entries & Post Positions

The Grade II Pat Day Mile Stakes is one of the top races on the Kentucky Derby undercard and has attracted a couple of horses who were originally very prominent in the Road to the Kentucky Derby

The $500,000 purse for three-year-olds and up has attracted 12 runners including the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Check out the Entries and Post Positions below along with an overview of the field from our editor.

Following an extremely strong showing on the NYRA circuit last summer - Steve Asmussen’s Jackie’s Warrior was at the forefront of the Kentucky Derby Future’s Markets. Wins at the Grade II Saratoga Special, Grade I hopeful and Grade I Champagne all pointed towards a superstar horse. He went into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as a big time favorite going off at just 7-5 before fading around the turn and coming home fourth.

His return came in the slop at the Southwest down at Oaklawn. Once more stamina was a real question mark and whilst a third place finish was nothing to scoff at - the decision was made to keep him to one turn and he was pointed towards the Pat Day. I don’t think anyone questions his raw speed but considering he’s only been seen once this year - there’ll be some question marks. This might mean a better than expected price for the son of Maclean’s Music.

Prevalence went into the Wood Memorial with plenty of Kentucky Derby hype. It would be fair to say that dissipated rather rapidly following a lackluster run where the son of Medaglia d’Oro could only finish sixth. His Maiden was spectacular the moment pressure and expectations were heaped on - he wilted. This isn’t to say that one bad race makes a career but the red flags are waving. 

Peter Eurton’s Dream Shake rose as high as fourth on my colleague Sean’s Kentucky Derby Big Board but he will be racing on the undercard this Saturday. A third place finish at the San Felipe was followed by a good third place at the quality Santa Anita Derby and he had the points to get in. Yet over the weekend Britney Eurton confirmed on twitter that he was being pointed to the at Day.

For me this seems a good move. Clearly a very talented horse but mixing it up with a deep Derby field would probably be a little bit too much too soon. The Pat Day has a good field but nowhere near the depth of the big one. He’ll be in the mix and I’m sure when Sean handicaps the race on Friday - he’ll take a long look at this one.

Mark Casse will be sending out Gretsky the Great who has looked bang average since shipping down from north of the border. He could’ve been a Woodbine star having won three straight including the Grade I Summer Stakes but his best finish in four starts Stateside is third in the John Battaglia at Turfway Park. Not for me this son of Nyquist.

The Bob Baffert trained Defunded had some late Derby buzz but couldn't keep pace with the front three at the Santa Anita Derby earlier in April. If (and it is a big if) but if he's anything around 10-1 then he's big time value. A super trainer who clearly thinks a lot of this horse. Tough to ignore him if he comes in at a good price.

Dale Romans sent out Sittin On Go five times on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The son of Brody's Cause struggled and his best run was sixth - which he did three times. Not a play at all here.

Dreamer’s Disease, Joe Frazier, Noble Reflection, Three Two Zone, Ultimate Badger and Whiskey Double round out the field. None of whom have trouble the Winner's Circle at any level above Maiden Special Weight or an Allowance race.

We’ll have full coverage of the 2021 Pat Day Mile here on horseracing.net/us - our turf-man will publish his horse-by-horse analysis of the race on Wednesday and our full Pat Day Mile handicapping preview will go live from our in-house handicapper on Friday afternoon. So bookmark the site for full Pat Day Mile coverage throughout the week.

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