By Christina Bossinakis
Despite being the sole Grade I winner in the field, Usha (Tiz the Law) entered Monday's GIII Winning Colors Stakes as the 2-1 second choice behind 8-5 choice Kapoor (Uncle Mo), victorious in her four most recent starts.
While the latter was significantly compromised at the start and failed to show her best in her stakes debut, Usha muscled her way to the front in the early going of the six-furlong test and remained tough to the very end, hanging on to a narrow victory over the oncoming Zeitlos (Curlin).
Kapoor, breaking from Post 5, was sandwiched pretty hard between rivals, forcing her to the back as MSW Foie Gras (Volatile) sprinted to the front with Usha–exiting the 7 hole–up to press the issue on her outside flank through an opening quarter in :22.86.
Eagerly overtaking the pacesetter on the far turn, the New York-bred was given her cue by Florent Geroux straightening for home, edged into the clear late and had enough left in the tank to fend off the closing Zeitlos, who found herself a head shy at the wire. Foie Gras was a close-up third while One Magic Philly (Good Magic) rounded out the Super. The favorite was eased, finishing last of eight.
“We sat a good trip on the outside and I just let her get in a nice rhythm,” Geroux said. “When I needed her to go, she responded very well.”
Usha, a $600,000 OBS April purchase, is owned by Pegram, Watson and Weitman and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
Usha needed five tries to get off the mark, finally accomplishing the feat with an 11 1/2-length victory at Del Mar last July. Following up with another impressive victory facing optional claiming company in September, the chestnut was a well-beaten seventh in Keeneland's GII Raven Run over seven furlongs in October, but rebounded to air by 5 1/4 lengths in the Dec. 28 GI La Brea at Santa Anita. In her seasonal debut, the 4-year-old finished third behind R Disaster (Awesome Slew) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke) in the GI Derby City Distaff on May 2.
“[Usha] didn't draw well in the Derby City Distaff [Post 1] and was a little intimidated down on the inside,” explained Baffert. “Today, she got a nice post and liked that better being on the outside.”
Regarding Monday's winning effort, he added, “She was still looking around a bit down the lane. I've thought about putting blinkers on her, but that might make her a little too rank. I think she'll get better with time. She's improving and I think seven-eighths of a mile is a good distance for her. As horses get older, they can run farther as long as they relax. Today, with her not being intimidated, I thought she ran really well.”
Pedigree Notes:
Recognized as the initial Grade I winner for her sire Tiz the Law, Usha is the second foal out of stakes-placed Animal Appeal (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). Bred by Esler and Raine in New York, the $30,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling blossomed into a $600,000 OBS April juvenile purchase. The winner's 14-year-old dam, who sold for $9,000 at Fasig-Tipton New York Fall Mixed in 2023, is also responsible for a juvenile filly by Solomini.
Usha wins the 23rd Running of the Winning Colors Stakes (GIII)! pic.twitter.com/ore01jJ9tw
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 25, 2026
Monday, Churchill Downs
WINNING COLORS S.-GIII, $220,000, Churchill Downs, 5-25, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.21, ft.
1–USHA, 123, f, 4, by Tiz the Law
1st Dam: Animal Appeal (SP, $220,298), by Leroidesanimaux (Brz)
2nd Dam: Appealing Card, by Valid Appeal
3rd Dam: What a Card, by Wig Out
($30,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG; $600,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul; B-Esler & Raine (NY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Florent Geroux. $121,520. Lifetime Record: GISW, 10-4-2-3, $539,870. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Zeitlos, 118, m, 6, Curlin–Thyme For Roses (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). ($350,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $775,000 5yo '25 FTKNOV). O-Peter Leidel; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $49,200.
3–Foie Gras, 118, f, 4, Volatile–Table Manners, by Algorithms. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($95,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $170,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $100,000 3yo '25 FTDDE). O-Paradise Farms Corp., P Shooter Stable and Emcee Stable LLC; B-E. H. Beau Lane (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $24,600.
Margins: HD, NK, 4 3/4. Odds: 2.44, 13.64, 5.74.
Also Ran: One Magic Philly, Jersey Pearl, Dare to Fly, Kapoor. Scratched: Spring Dancer.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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