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First Look: Stephen Foster leads weekend graded stakes

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First Look: Stephen Foster leads weekend graded stakes


First Mission
and Skippylongstocking lead a talented field in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes on Saturday as Churchill Downs wraps up its spring meet with a host of weekend stakes, including two for juveniles.

Aqueduct hosts the Manila (G3) ahead of a packed stakes card next weekend, and Los Alamitos hosts its Derby on Saturday.

Here is an early look at the likely fields of graded stakes and other selected races.


Saturday

Stephen Foster (G1), Churchill Downs, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up, Breeders’ Cup Classic automatic qualifier

After poor showings in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), First Mission and Skippylongstocking both bounced back to win a Grade 3 race and then a Grade 2. In First Mission’s most recent start, he drew away to win the Alysheba by four lengths on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. Skippylongstocking’s latest score was a two-length win in the Oaklawn Handicap. Both retain their riders from those trips. Pyrenees is 3-for-3 this year and won the Pimlico Special (G2), his first stakes start, last out over odds-on favorite Kingsbarns, also entered here. In his first start since finishing second in last year’s Travers (G1), Disarm won an optional-claiming allowance with a four-horse field at Churchill Downs.

Post Silks Horse / Sire Rating Trainer / Jockey Last Start / Next Start HRN
1 Pyrenees

Into Mischief

7.40

Cherie DeVaux

Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.

1st, 2024 Pimlico Special G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, 2024 Pimlico Special G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

2 First Mission

Street Sense

7.36

Brad H. Cox

Florent Geroux

1st, 2024 Alysheba G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, 2024 Alysheba G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1

3 Happy American

Runhappy

4.47

Neil L. Pessin

Corey J. Lanerie

3rd, CD AOC (05/31/2024-R7)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, CD AOC (05/31/2024-R7)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

4 Disarm

Gun Runner

7.84

Steven M. Asmussen

Joel Rosario

1st, CD AlwOC (5/18/24-R4)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD AlwOC (5/18/24-R4)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

5 Dreamlike

Gun Runner

6.36

Todd A. Pletcher

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

3rd, 2024 Blame G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, 2024 Blame G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

6 Classic Causeway

Giant’s Causeway

6.70

Kenneth G. McPeek

Julien R. Leparoux

4th, CD AOC (05/27/2024-R5)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

4th, CD AOC (05/27/2024-R5)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

7 Kingsbarns

Uncle Mo

7.39

Todd A. Pletcher

Luis Saez

2nd, 2024 Pimlico Special G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

2nd, 2024 Pimlico Special G3

2024 Stephen Foster G1

8 Steal Sunshine

Constitution

6.47

Bobby S. Dibona

Paco Lopez

4th, 2024 Alysheba G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

4th, 2024 Alysheba G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1

9 Skippylongstocking

Exaggerator

7.35

Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.

Jose L. Ortiz

1st, 2024 Oaklawn Handicap G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, 2024 Oaklawn Handicap G2

2024 Stephen Foster G1


Fleur de Lis (G2), Churchill Downs, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Scylla has a record of 6: 4-1-1 and got the best of Xigera, also entered here, last out in the Shawnee (G3). Shotgun Hottie’s win in the listed Allaire DuPont Distaff followed fourth-place finishes in the Azeri (G2) and Apple Blossom (G1). Free Like a Girl couldn’t catch Idiomatic in the La Troienne (G1), but she was best of the rest at 12-1.


Wise Dan (G2), Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 miles (turf), 4-year-olds and up

Ottoman Fleet returned to the U.S. and finished second in the Fort Marcy (G2) on May 4 before scoring last out in the Arlington (G3), where Chasing the Crown rallied to finish second by a length. Exalted would make his first start since a second-place finish in the Sept. 2 Del Mar Mile (G2). Before that, he won four in a row, including the Shoemaker Mile (G1).


Manila Stakes (G3), Aqueduct, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

Deterministic would try turf for the first time after four starts on dirt. After winning his debut and then the Gotham (G3), he was eighth in the Wood Memorial (G3) and fifth in the Peter Pan (G3). Neat is 2-for-3 this year, winning the Transylvania (G3) before finishing second in the American Turf (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard.


Los Alamitos Derby (listed), Los Alamitos, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds

Six nominees, six probables for this one. Imagination, winner of the San Felipe (G3) in March, is 0-for-3 since. After finishing second by a neck in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), he was seventh in both the Preakness and the Woody Stephens (G1). His stablemate Cornell broke his maiden in January on his third try, then took a break and returned to finish third in the listed Affirmed Stakes on June 9. Tapalo, fifth in the Santa Anita Derby, returned with a seven-length, gate-to-wire win in the listed Lazaro Barerra on May 12.

Silks Horse / Sire Rating Trainer / Jockey Last Start / Next Start HRN
Wynstock

Solomini

6.65

Bob Baffert

6th, Desert Code S.

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

6th, Desert Code S.

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Imagination

Into Mischief

6.26

Bob Baffert

7th, 2024 Woody Stephens G1

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

7th, 2024 Woody Stephens G1

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Cornell

Into Mischief

5.34

Bob Baffert

3rd, 2024 Affirmed LS

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, 2024 Affirmed LS

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Curlin’s Kaos

Clubhouse Ride

4.12

Antonio C. Garcia

7th, Snow Chief S. presented by City National Bank

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

7th, Snow Chief S. presented by City National Bank

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Kamaina Cruiser

Catalina Cruiser

0.00

O. J. Jauregui

1st, GG MSW (06/01/2024-R8)

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

1st, GG MSW (06/01/2024-R8)

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Tapalo

Tapiture

0.00

John W. Sadler

1st, Lazaro Barrera S.

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS

Probable

Last Race

Next Race

1st, Lazaro Barrera S.

2024 Los Alamitos Derby LS


Sunday

Hanshin (listed), Churchill Downs, 1 mile, 4-year-olds and up

Zozos, last year’s Hanshin winner, was third in the Churchill Downs (G1) on Kentucky Derby day, his first start since finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Kentucky Derby day with a third-place finish in the Churchill Downs (G1). Charge It was fourth in the Dirt Mile and returned to finish third in the Westminster (G3). Tumbarumba opened the year with a win in the Fred W. Hooper (G3) then was second in both the Gulftream Park Mile (G2) and Ghostzapper (G3).

Post Silks Horse / Sire Rating Trainer / Jockey Last Start / Next Start HRN
1 Tumbarumba

Oscar Performance

6.40

Brian A. Lynch

Luis Saez

2nd, 2024 Ghostzapper G3

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

2nd, 2024 Ghostzapper G3

2024 Hanshin LS

2 Frosted Grace

Mark Valeski

6.34

Michael J. Maker

Joel Rosario

3rd, 2024 Steve Sexton Mile G3

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, 2024 Steve Sexton Mile G3

2024 Hanshin LS

3 Zozos

Munnings

6.90

Brad H. Cox

Florent Geroux

3rd, 2024 Churchill Downs Stakes G1

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, 2024 Churchill Downs Stakes G1

2024 Hanshin LS

4 Injunction

Skipshot

4.12

William D Cowans

Jose L. Ortiz

1st, CD AOC (05/03/2024-R3)

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD AOC (05/03/2024-R3)

2024 Hanshin LS

5 Best Actor

Flatter

5.23

Ed Moger, Jr.

Frankie Dettori

5th, 2024 Knicks Go Overnight RS

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

5th, 2024 Knicks Go Overnight RS

2024 Hanshin LS

6 Extra Anejo

Into Mischief

6.12

Steven M. Asmussen

Tyler Gaffalione

1st, CD AOC (05/30/2024-R7)

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD AOC (05/30/2024-R7)

2024 Hanshin LS

7 Charge It

Tapit

7.01

Todd A. Pletcher

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

3rd, 2024 Westchester G3

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, 2024 Westchester G3

2024 Hanshin LS

8 Happy American

Runhappy

4.47

Neil L. Pessin

Corey J. Lanerie

3rd, CD AOC (05/31/2024-R7)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, CD AOC (05/31/2024-R7)

2024 Stephen Foster G1

9 Cagliostro

Upstart

5.89

Cherie DeVaux

Flavien Prat

2nd, 2024 Blame G3

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

2nd, 2024 Blame G3

2024 Hanshin LS

10 Raise Cain

Violence

6.79

Ben Colebrook

Luan Machado

3rd, CD AOC (05/30/2024-R7)

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, CD AOC (05/30/2024-R7)

2024 Hanshin LS

11 Three Technique

Mr Speaker

6.15

Jason G. Cook

Rafael Bejarano

10th, 2024 Churchill Downs Stakes G1

2024 Hanshin LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

10th, 2024 Churchill Downs Stakes G1

2024 Hanshin LS


Bashford Manor (listed), Churchill Downs, 6 furlongs, 2-year-olds

Spiralizer, sold in March for $550,000, led at every call to win his five-furlong debut on June 13. Bodacious went gate to wire in winning his debut at Santa Anita by 5 3/4 lengths over the odds-on favorite. Ivan the Great also got his start at Santa Anita, rallied in his debut but missed by a nose.

Post Silks Horse / Sire Rating Trainer / Jockey Last Start / Next Start HRN
1 Spiralizer

Twirling Candy

0.00

Steven M. Asmussen

Tyler Gaffalione

1st, CD MSW (6/13/24-R3)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD MSW (6/13/24-R3)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

2 Ivan The Great

Kantharos

0.00

Doug F. O’Neill

Antonio Fresu

2nd, SA MSW (5/12/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

2nd, SA MSW (5/12/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

3 Vinegar Hill

Frosted

0.00

John Ennis

Adam Beschizza

1st, CD MSW (5/19/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD MSW (5/19/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

4 Moneyline

Mo Town

0.00

Caio Caramori

Frankie Dettori

1st, IND MSW (5/14/24-R5)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, IND MSW (5/14/24-R5)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

5 Bodacious

Smokem

0.00

Jorge Periban

Joel Rosario

1st, SA MSW (05/03/2024-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, SA MSW (05/03/2024-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

6 Politicallycorrect

Violence

0.00

Christopher Davis

Jose L. Ortiz

1st, CD MSW (5/30/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD MSW (5/30/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

7 Enduring Spirit

Tiz the Law

0.00

Rafael Ramos

Reylu Gutierrez

1st, CD MSW (5/16/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD MSW (5/16/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

8 Conquering Cat

Game Winner

0.00

Christopher Davis

Luis Saez

1st, CD MSW (6/6/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD MSW (6/6/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

9 War Tax

Outwork

0.00

Carlos F. Martin

Jose A. Gomez

1st, Aqu MSW (5/27/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, Aqu MSW (5/27/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

10 Heat

Munnings

0.00

Mark E. Casse

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

1st, GP MSW (5/11/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, GP MSW (5/11/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

11 Happyflyer

Runhappy

0.00

Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.

Francisco Arrieta

1st, CD Mcl (6/8/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, CD Mcl (6/8/24-R2)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

12 Mo Hair Sam

Mo Town

0.00

John A. Hancock

Cristian A. Torres

3rd, CD MSW (6/13/24-R3)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

3rd, CD MSW (6/13/24-R3)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

13 Smoken Wicked

Bobby’s Wicked One

0.00

Dallas Stewart

Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.

1st, EvD MSW (6/1/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS

Entered

Last Race

Next Race

1st, EvD MSW (6/1/24-R1)

2024 Bashford Manor LS


Debutante (listed), Churchill Downs, 6 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Asmussen brings two after debuts at Lone Star Park. Adeera, an Authentic filly bought for $300,000 as a yearling, won by open lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs after dueling for the lead. Glee, a daughter of Honor A. P., scored at 4 1/2 furlongs. Daisy Duke, a Classic Empire filly, was fourth in her debut at Churchill Downs then rallied to win her next start, both at five furlongs.

Probables were not available for weekend graded stakes at Woodbine.

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