Breaking Down The 44th Running Of The Stephen Foster Stakes
Churchill Downs will play host to the Stephen Foster Stakes on June 28 Danny Brewer
The Thoroughbred racing season has many highlights. Certain events are always recognized as 'big' in the general sports fan's eyes as those are the ones they are most familiar with. What the casual horse racing fan must realize is there are many great races besides the Triple Crown Series and Breeders' Cup. As years pass and talent matriculates, certain races will be 'bigger' on certain occasions same as it is in college football. Tennessee- Alabama, Ohio State-Michigan, Florida-Georgia games are always 'big', but in certain years they are 'BIGGER' based on happenstance. The 44th running of the Stephen Foster at Churchill downs on June 28 features a talent-laden field that makes this race one of the 'BIGGER' ones on the 2025 calendar. Let's take a peek at the entrants and provide a thought on each. Horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line odds. Projected post time is 6:03 eastern time and it is race 11 on the card.
1 First Mission (Brad Cox, Luis Saez 4-1 )- The trainer/jockey combo is one of the most dangerous in the game today. Having won the Oaklawn Handicap back on April 19, this son of Street Sense has six career victories and finished in the top three in nine of twelve career starts with just over $2 million in earnings. A player for sure.
2 Mindframe (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 7-2 )-Another excellent conditioner/pilot combination makes this lightly raced son of Constitution a threat. Won the 7 furlong Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby day in his last start and has two wins beneath the twin spires. With four wins and two seconds in six career starts he has to be in all your exotic wagers.
3 Skippylongstocking ( Saffie Joseph Jr., Jose Ortiz 6-1)-Two wins and two thirds in four starts this year. This son of Exaggerator won the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start and was third in this race a year ago. Has banked over $3 million and his last twenty four starts have been in Stakes company. Do not think he wins but can absolutely get a piece of the pie.
4 Sierra Leone (Chad Brown, Flavian Prat 5-2)-The 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic champ makes his second start as a four-year-old and has never finished worse than third in ten career starts. This son of Gun Runner has been brilliant at times and always comes with a big late run. Sometimes it is just too late. He will be there at the end and can win if his rider gets him in the race early.
Mystik Dan came home first on May 31 in the Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs Julie Clark Coady Photography
5 Mystik Dan (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr. 3-1)-The 2024 Kentucky Derby Champion returned to wining ways on May 31 in the Blame Stakes at Churchill. Appears to be in top form coming into this one. If jock can work out another classic rail ride this son of Goldencents will be back in the winner's circle. Our top pick here.
Hit Show is one of two Brad Cox trainees running in the Foster Renee Torbitt Coady Photography
6 Hit Show (Brad Cox Florent Geroux 9-2)- This son of Candy Ride shook up the world with a closing from the clouds win in the 2025 Dubai World Cup on April 5. Fourteen of his last fifteen starts have been in Stakes company but sometimes the first start back after a trip to Dubai can be challenging. Certainly a contender in this one…as they all are.
7 Ashcroft (D Wayne Lukas Julien Leparoux 30-1)- Will be the sentimental favorite because of his trainer. Only two wins in twelve starts and none in stakes company. Not sure he belongs here but goodness knows Mr. Lukas knows a heck of a lot more about this game than perhaps anyone ever. Can't win if you ain't in.
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