Mike Pegram, Carl Watson, and Paul Wightman’s promising 2-year-old mare, Explorer, is set to compete at Churchill Downs, traveling all the way from Southern California. She will face 12 other horses in the $400,000 82nd Goldenrod Stakes (G2) next Saturday, a key preparatory event leading up to the Kentucky Oaks.
The Goldenrod Stakes will be run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles and will grant qualifying points to the top five finishers on a scale of 10-5-3-2-1. These points are crucial for the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) scheduled for May 1.
Explorer, who turned heads with her runner-up finish to Super Corredora in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), has since claimed the Goldenrod title. Before this event, the Blame filly secured a decisive 4 1/4 length win in the Oakleaf Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita and finished second to Bottle of Rouge in the Del Mar Debutante (G1). Jockey Flavien Prat, who has previously won the Goldenrod, will be riding from post 12.
Among her challengers is Life of Joy, an undefeated filly and winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes (L). Life of Joy, owned by Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm, and For the People Racing Stables, is entering the Kentucky Oaks scene after a strong two-quarter length victory over Grumpy Rabbit at last month’s Rags to Riches Stakes. Trained by Brad Cox, the same trainer who won this race last year with Kentucky Oaks victor Good Cheer, Life of Joy will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 6.
The Goldenrod lineup also includes Grumpy Rabbit, the runner-up to Life of Joy in the Rags to Riches, as well as Atropa, who achieved a commanding 10-length victory in her special debut. Trainer Brendan Walsh will also field Bella Ballerina, a special debut winner for Godolphin, alongside Barakka, a recent allowance winner for Heider Family Stables.
Complete Goldenrod field with jockeys and trainers, from inside rail out:
– Baracca (Axel Concepcion, Brendan Walsh)
– Essential Coffee (Corey Lanerie, Steve Asmussen)
– Just Singing (Luann Machado, Kent Sweezy)
– Vita Mia (Junior Alvarado, Armando de la Cerda)
– Letmecounttheways (Joel Rosario, Mike Maker)
– Life of Joy (Irad Ortiz Jr., Brad Cox)
– Raspberry (Luis Saez, Whit Beckman)
– Wonzee Weather (Chase Miller, Darrin Miller)
– Atropa (Jose Ortiz, Shelley Devaux)
– Coco Connect (Adam Beschizza, John Ennis)
– Bella Ballerina (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh)
– Explorer (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert)
– Grumpy Rabbit (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeak)
This story was initially reported by The Paulick Report on November 22, 2025.
Fan Take: This race is a thrilling preview of the future stars of horse racing, offering fans a chance to witness top young talent vying for a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. The Goldenrod’s competitive field highlights the depth and excitement of the sport, promising an electrifying buildup to one of the most prestigious races for fillies.
