Kentucky Derby Prep Races: 2025 Hillsborough Stakes

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

Hillsborough Stakes Betting Preview: Top Contenders and Predictions

A talented field of 10 fillies and mares will take to the turf in the $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8, 2025. The 1 1/8-mile race is a key early-season test for turf runners and features multiple stakes winners, including Saffron Moon, Gimme a Nother, and Sparkle Blue. Trainer Chad Brown sends out three strong contenders in the field, hoping to add another graded stakes win to his record.

While this race isn’t one of the Kentucky Derby Prep Races, the event is still a critical stop on the road to top-level turf races later in the year. With competitive Kentucky Derby odds shifting weekly, bettors looking for substantial wagering opportunities beyond Kentucky Derby betting can find excellent value in this field.

Saffron Moon Aims for Back-to-Back Wins

Fresh off a dominant win in the Endeavour Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs, Saffron Moon returns to her preferred track for another shot at graded success. The 6-year-old mare trained by Chad Brown has had an interrupted career but showed her class last time, storming home in stakes-record time under jockey Flavien Prat, who retains the mount.

Brown, who winters his elite turf horses at Payson Park Training Center, also sends Venencia and Spaliday, two other graded stakes winners. Venencia, a French-bred mare, finished third behind Saffron Moon in the Endeavour Stakes, while Spaliday captured the Sands Point Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct in her most recent start.

Gimme a Nother Makes North American Debut

Trainer Graham Motion brings an international wildcard to the race in Gimme a Nother, a South African Group 1 winner making her first start in the United States. The 5-year-old mare has been working over the turf at Palm Meadows Training Center, and Irad Ortiz Jr. gets the mount. Motion recently found success with another South African import, Beach Bomb, who won The Very One Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park last week.

Alongside Gimme a Nother, Motion also sends Sparkle Blue, the defending Hillsborough Stakes winner. The Augustin Stable homebred took last year’s edition in gate-to-wire fashion, but struggled in the latter half of the season, winning only one of her next five starts. Jorge Ruiz will once again ride her.

Other Key Contenders in the Field

Beyond the top names, several other horses could make an impact. Eternal Silence, trained by Christophe Clement, will look to improve her stakes form under Joel Rosario. At the same time, Damaso, conditioned by Kathleen O’Connell, seeks to step up in class with Daniel Centeno aboard. Victoria’s Dancer, trained by Juan Carlos Avila, will aim to outrun her 30-1 odds with Sonny Leon in the irons, while Avenue Niel, a 20-1 longshot from the Michael J. Trombetta barn, gets a notable rider in Lanfranco Dettori.

Betting Outlook for the Hillsborough Stakes

With Saffron Moon showing top form, she enters the race as the likely favorite. However, Gimme a Nother is a mystery factor in her North American debut, and Sparkle Blue could rediscover last year’s winning form. Chad Brown’s trio of runners will also make this a competitive betting race.

As wagering options continue to expand, Kentucky Derby odds are taking center stage, and the Hillsborough Stakes offers a substantial betting opportunity for turf racing enthusiasts. For those looking to place a wager on this exciting race, visit our racebook for the latest odds and betting options.