Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Forward Gal Stakes

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Forward Gal Stakes 2025: Rojo Rita Faces Tough Test in Three-Year-Old Debut

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues this Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes, a seven-furlong contest offering 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers. 

As one of the key Kentucky Derby Prep Races for fillies, this $165,000 race features a competitive field of 11, headlined by Rojo Rita’s highly anticipated sophomore debut. With Kentucky Derby betting heating up and Kentucky Derby odds beginning to shift, this race will provide key insights into the development of some of the top three-year-old fillies.

Rojo Rita Looks to Build on Stunning Debut

Rojo Rita made an unforgettable first impression when she romped by 16 ¼ lengths in her debut at Gulfstream on November 15, stopping the clock at 1:11.43 for six furlongs. The daughter of Grade 1-winning sprinter Volatile has been training steadily at Palm Meadows, including a bullet five-furlong work at 1:00.70 on January 10. 

While her debut was spectacular, stepping into graded stakes company in only her second career start is a significant challenge.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. acknowledges the task’s difficulty but believes Rojo Rita has the talent to compete at this level. With Edgard Zayas back in the irons from post 9, she enters as the 2-1 morning-line favorite, aiming to establish herself as a top-tier contender on the Oaks trail.

The Queens M G Brings Stakes Experience

The Queens M G is the most accomplished runner in the field, with three career wins and $284,380 in earnings. The Quality Road filly broke her maiden at Keeneland before capturing the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) and Adirondack Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. However, she finished fifth in the Spinaway Stakes (G1) before returning to finish third in the one-mile Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct in November.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. sees this race as a key indicator of how The Queens M G will progress as a three-year-old. With Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins from post 2, she is listed as a 5-1 third choice on the morning line.

Other Key Contenders

Eclatant, trained by Stonestreet Stables, enters as the 9-2 second choice. Into Mischief’s daughter won her first two career starts in Kentucky before finishing third in the 1 1/16-mile Golden Rod Stakes (G2) in November. She cuts back to seven furlongs, a move that could benefit her.

Justinqueso, a daughter of Ghostzapper trained by Ian Wilkes, enters the race off a six-furlong win at Gulfstream, where she was elevated to first following the disqualification of Dominant Diva. She has trained well at Palm Meadows, including a five-furlong work in 59.15 seconds on January 18. Listed at 10-1, she will break from post 3 with Joe Bravo aboard.

My Denysse, trained by Ruben Sierra, returns for her sixth career start after a shocking 35-1 upset victory in the 1 1/16-mile My Dear Girl Stakes at Gulfstream. Stunner, beaten a neck in that race, also returns, looking to turn the tables.