Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Regret Stakes

May 31, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A total of six sophomore fillies will run 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs green in
Saturday’s $225,000 Regret S. (G3). The first of six black-type events on the huge card
attracted four contenders from the recent Edgewood S. (G2) at Churchill Downs, and I
expect one of those fillies to finish best of all in the affair. 

The Mark Casse-trained Papilio has impressed from her trio of outings since importing
to the U.S. and rates a big chance with her top effort in the event. By
Starspangledbanner, the sophomore miss missed by a head in the Herecomesthebride
S. (G3) in her stateside bow, which preceded a game late tally in the Appalachian S.
(G2) at Keeneland when she displayed a stout late kick en route to victory. She is the
Expert Pick of the Week.

Papilio made a big middle move in the Edgewood in her latest assignment before
settling for a fourth-place result, falling just one length shy under the wire. The Irish-bred
bay posted a solid half-mile morning move in advance of Saturday and aims to register
a second graded stakes triumph against this field. Javier Castellano retains the ride
atop the selection, who will be moving into the fore approaching the turn for home.

Graham Motion’s #3 Mission of Joy is 3-for-4 on the lawn to this stage of her
development and exits a fine third-place run in the Edgewood. By Kitten’s Joy, the
Florida Oaks (G3) heroine has a hint of tactical speed and will get the jump turning for
home on the deeper closing types in the cast, which makes her a formidable foe with
another step in the right direction. The bargain $32,000 yearling purchase continues to
improve this season and might be the one to run down inside the final furlong on
Saturday. Tyler Gaffalione picks up the mount atop the main danger to the top pick.

An exacta with #5 Papilio on top of #3 Mission of Joy in the 2023 Regret Stakes is the
Best Bet of the Week.