Baby Yoda, Just Might scratch from St. Matthews Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tulane Tryst, who is coming off a solid effort in graded stakes company, and Bango, who is running on his favorite track, figure as the favorites following the key scratches of Baby Yoda and Just Might from Wednesday's $160,000 St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Following heavy rain and thunderstorms the day prior in Louisville, the main track was rated fast and the turf was rated firm to start Wednesday.
Baby Yoda, who tied for the second-highest Beyer Speed Figure of 2021 and who most recently won a starter allowance at Keeneland, was the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the St. Matthews, a dirt sprint for older horses who have not won a graded race in 2021 or 2022. However, the gelding was cross-entered in a similar starter-allowance race Thursday at Churchill Downs, and trainer Bill Mott has opted for that spot.
Just Might also cross-entered two races this week and will run in the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint on Friday for trainer Michelle Lovell. The versatile gelding won seven stakes in 2021, on both dirt and turf.
Tulane Trust was the 7-2 second choice behind Baby Yoda on the morning line and now likely inherits that top role. He most recently finished second to Bob's Edge in the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn.
Bango, a two-time stakes winner at Churchill Downs last year, was the 4-1 co-third choice with Just Might on the morning line.
The St. Matthews shares billing on Wednesday's 10-race card, which begins at 12:45 p.m., with the $200,000 William Walker Stakes for 3-year-old turf sprinters, where Big Invasion is favored off two straight wins. The only early scratch from the Walker is longshot Magnolia Midnight.
