Mystik Dan, Thorpedo Anna return to scene of Derby, Oaks triumphs
June 27 (UPI) -- Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna, winners of the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, return to Churchill Downs on Saturday as key parts of a talent-laden program on dirt and turf in weekend racing.
On the international front, Lambourn seeks a "Derby Double" in Ireland and some heavyweights tangle in a French Group 1 tilt at Saint-Cloud. Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" spots are on offer in Louisville, Ky., and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Let's dive right in.
Classic
Saturday's $1 million Grade I Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1. But, no matter who wins the Foster, six of the seven entrants easily could meet again in that year-end showdown. It's that good a field.
Hit Show enters off a win in the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup. Mystik Dan won last year's Kentucky Derby and got back on the winning path with a score in the Grade III Blame over the same course and 1 1/8-mile distance as the Foster in his last.
Sierra Leone won the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic after a storied Triple Crown campaign.
Skippylongstocking won the Grade II Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start and has won just about everywhere -- except Churchill Downs. There, he's 0-for-2.
Mindframe, by contrast, exits a victory in the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby Day. First Mission won the Grade II Oaklawn Handicap in his last start.
Another shocker: Three of the five entries in Saturday's $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby are from the Bob Baffert barn. Baffert seeks his ninth straight victory in the race and 15th overall with Tiz Secure, Varney and Nevada Beach.
Doug O'Neill counters with Rank and Antonio Garcia has the Cal-bred It's a Factor, who probably won't be as he seeks his second career win in his first start on dirt.
Seven are in for Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III HPIbet Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds on the Woodbine all-weather. Five are Ontario-breds and therefore candidates for the rapidly approaching King's Plate.
Distaff
Saturday's $500,000 Grade II Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, features 2024 Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna in a field of five.
The 4-year-old Fast Anna filly will have to prove her last race, a fading, last-place finish in the Grade I La Troienne, was a fluke. Trainer Kenny McPeek's decision to bring her right back from the May 2 debacle is encouraging, as is her record of seven wins from eight starts before the La Troienne.
Eight are slated to report for duty in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Selene for 3-year-old fillies on the Woodbine all-weather. Mark it a tossup.
Sprint
Booth has won four straight races, three at the tough Oaklawn Park meeting, which is enough to make him the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $350,000 Grade III Kelly's Landing at Churchill Downs.
Super Chow, Subrogate and Dean Delivers all seem to have chances in a field of eight for Saturday's $175,000 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park.
Sunday's $250,000 Maxfield Stakes finds 13 3-year-olds set to go 7 furlongs out of the Churchill Downs backstretch chute. It looks wildly competitive.
Turf
Mercante, Brilliant Berti and Lagynos are well-regarded in Saturday's $500,000 Grade II Wise Dan at Churchill Downs after finishing 1-2-3, respectively, in the Grade III Arlington Stakes at the same 1 1/16 miles May 31.
Tiztastic was 2-for-2 on the grass before being detoured to the Triple Crown trail. Trainer Steve Asmussen has him back on the green course in Saturday's $250,000 American Derby at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Peter Eurton ships Stay Hot from California to Lone Star Park to make his 4-year-old debut as the 5-2 favorite in Saturday's $250,000 Texas Turf Classic.
Turf Mile
The twice-delayed $400,000 Grade III Penn Mile finally gets to the starting gate Friday at Penn National with a field of eight 3-year-olds. Zulu Kingdom seeks his third straight win in a field of eight.
Friday's $400,000 Penn Oaks at Penn National has a well-matched field of nine. The roster sounds like a Valentine's card with Love You Anyway, Love and Poetry, Reigning Flowers and Candy Quest in the field.
Speaking of romance, Lush Lips and Vixen finished second and third, respectively, behind the talented Nitrogen in the Grade II Edgewood on Kentucky Oaks Day. With Nitrogen out of the picture, they top the morning line for Saturday's $250,000 Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.
Don't overlook Something Stronger if her odds stay near the 10-1 morning line quote.
Caitlinhergrtness, the 2024 King's Plate winner, returns to the Woodbine turf in Saturday's $175,000 (Canadian) Grade II Nassau for fillies and mares.
Turf Sprint
Patches O'Houlihan is 12-for-15 at Woodbine and a solid favorite in Saturday's $200,000 (Canadian) Grade II bet365 Highlander at the same venue. My Boy Prince, runner-up in the 2024 King's Plate, returns from New York as a gelding with a new lease on life as a turf sprinter.
Juvenile / Juvenile Fillies
Sunday's $225,000 Bashford Manor and $225,000 Debutante for fillies are good chances to watch and learn about some early-maturing juveniles.
Around the world, around the clock
Ireland
Lambourn seeks the Derby Double in Sunday's Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. The Australia colt, trained by Aidan O'Brien, ran off with the Betfred Derby at Epsom, winning by 3 3/4 lengths.
It would seem there's not a lot standing in his way, with Tennessee Stud the next-favored in the antepost wagering. The Joseph Patrick O'Brien charge was third at Epsom, 4 3/4 lengths back of Lambourn.
The elder O'Brien's Whirl also is well-regarded in Saturday's Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies and mares at the Curragh.
But the 3-year-old Wootton Bassett filly, second by a neck in the Betfred Oaks in her last start, will have to cope with 4-year-old Kalpana, trained by the Gosden team. The Study of Man filly won the Group 1 Qipco British Champion Fillies & Mares last fall and was third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in her first start this year.
The Saturday program also includes heats for 2-year-olds.
France
Sunday's Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud only has five starters, but they're good ones.
Calandagan exits four straight runner-up finishes -- all in Group 1 races at York, Ascot, Dubai and Epsom. The 4-year-old Gleneagles gelding has never finished worse than third. Goliath, Junko, Aventure and Iresine complete the field.
Uruguay
A "Win and You're In" spot is on offer in Sunday's Group 3 Asociacion Uruguaya de Propietarios at Hipodromo Maronas in Montevideo, Uruguay. The winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid for the $1 million Breeders Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
The race is the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event ever held in Uruguay, which has had international success of late, including in Dubai.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hypebeast
2 hours ago
- Hypebeast
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Inks Record-Setting $285 Million USD Extension Contract
Summary TheOklahoma City Thunderhave solidified their championship future, reaching a monumental four-year, $285 million USD supermax contract extension with superstarShai Gilgeous-Alexander. The agreement, which ties the reigningNBAMVP and Finals MVP to the Thunder through the 2030-31 season, marks the highest single-season average salary in NBA history, underscoring his unparalleled value to the franchise and the league. The record-setting deal comes on the heels of a historic 2024-25 season for Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Thunder to their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. He also swept major individual honors, securing both regular-season and NBA Finals MVP awards, as well as the scoring title – a feat previously achieved by only Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal in the same season. His new contract, while not kicking in until the 2027-28 season, will see him earn over $71 million USD annually, cementing his status as one of the highest-paid athletes globally. For the Thunder, securing Gilgeous-Alexander long-term is a pivotal move, ensuring their best player remains foundational to a roster filled with young talent. This extension, combined with key players already under contract and a wealth of draft picks, positions Oklahoma City as a formidable contender for years to come. The deal reinforces the strong synergy and trust between the Canadian superstar and the franchise that has nurtured his development into an NBA titan.
Fox Sports
4 hours ago
- Fox Sports
U.S. Women's Team Beats Canada For Three Wins In Seven Days
Claire Hutton scored for the first time in her international career, and Sam Coffey and Yazmeen Ryan also contributed goals to lead the United States to a 3-0 win over Canada on Wednesday night. The Americans have won five straight friendlies by a combined score of 18-0 since their 2-1 loss to Brazil in early April. The 19-year-old Hutton was making her sixth appearance for the national team, and her goal in the 36th minute gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead. Ryan completed the scoring in the 89th minute. It was the third game in seven days for the U.S., which beat Ireland 4-0 in each of the other two. Coach Emma Hayes' starting lineup against Canada included 10 changes from the second game against Ireland. Lynn Biyendolo, the lone player to start both of those games, slipped behind the defense for an early chance but missed the net. Moments later, she had a header saved by Canadian goalie Kailen Sheridan. The U.S. opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Rose Lavelle delivered a free kick into the penalty area from near the left sideline. Canada's Janine Sonis tried to head clear, but the ball fell to Avery Patterson and then bounced to Coffey about 9 yards from the goal. Both Coffey and Patterson stabbed at the ball, and both appeared to make contact with it. It went straight into the net. Coffey was credited with the goal and Patterson with an assist. The U.S. scored on another set piece when Canada gave Hutton too much room at the edge of the 6-yard box, and she headed in Lavelle's corner kick. Claudia Dickey, who also shut out Ireland in her international debut last Thursday, stopped a shot from in close by Canada's Jordyn Huitema shortly after Coffey's goal. But the Americans created far more chances. Lavelle received a standing ovation when she was subbed out around the midway point of the second half. The crowd also gave a big cheer when Tara McKeown — who plays locally for the Washington Spirit — came on as a late sub for the U.S. McKeown assisted on Ryan's goal. The U.S. plays friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 in Harrison, New Jersey, and against Japan on Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Get more from United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Top-ranked U.S. women cruise to comfortable 3-0 win over Canada in soccer friendly
WASHINGTON - Sam Coffey and Claire Hutton scored first-half goals as the top-ranked United States cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Canada in a women's soccer friendly Wednesday. Yazmeen Ryan added an insurance goal in the 89th minute, beating Kailen Sheridan from the edge of the penalty box with Canadian defenders backing away. It was a fifth straight shutout for the Americans, who had previously blanked Jamaica, China and Ireland (twice). The U.S. has outscored the opposition 25-5 in 10 outings this year. The victory margin could have been bigger Wednesday. The Americans moved the ball around with ease while eighth-ranked Canada struggled to get its game going on a warm night at Audi Field. The U.S. had 66 per cent possession, outshot Canada 22-7 (8-3 in shots on target) and had a 6-0 edge in corners. Canada led in fouls, 13-5. The Canadians, often a step slow, gave the ball away in the first half and were caught short too many times on defence as the U.S. attacked. The Americans went ahead in the 17th minute off a free kick by Rose Lavelle that Canada failed to clear. The ball fell to Coffey, whose low shot found the corner with Sheridan rooted to the spot, for her fourth international goal in her 38th appearance. Hutton made it 2-0 in the 36th minute off a Lavelle corner, rising unchallenged to head the ball home past a diving Sheridan. It was a first senior goal for the 19-year-old Kansas City Current midfielder in her sixth appearance. Without a major tournament in sight this year, both coaches have been evaluating their roster depth. Canada coach Casey Stoney has used 35 players this year. Stoney made seven changes to the starting 11 that beat No. 43 Costa Rica on Friday in Toronto, with only Sheridan, fullback Ashley Lawrence and midfielders Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso retaining their place. Lawrence has just switched clubs, leaving England's Chelsea for Lyon in France. The Canadian starting 11 went into the game with a combined 813 caps, compared to 427 for the U.S. Eight of the Canadian starters had 50-plus caps, compared to just three for the U.S. The American women were coming off back-to-back 4-0 wins over No. 25 Ireland. U.S. coach Emma Hayes made 10 changes to the team that beat Ireland Sunday, essentially reverting to the same starting lineup as in the first Ireland match last Thursday. Forward Lynn Biyendolo was the only holdover. Sunday's win over Ireland was the American women's 600th, coming in the 40th year of the women's program. Fifty-three of those wins had come against Canada. Canada went into Wednesday's contest with a 4-53-9 all-time record against the U.S. in a rivalry that dates back to 1986 when the Canadian women's program was established. The Canadians have not won on American soil since Nov. 11, 2000. In their most recent meeting, last April at the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw before the U.S. won a penalty shootout 5-4. The Americans also won by penalty shootout in the game before that, the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal in March 2024. Canada's last win over the U.S. was a 1-0 decision in the Tokyo Olympic semifinal in August 2021. That was the Americans' first loss to their northern neighbours since March 2001, in the group stage of the Algarve Cup. It was 29 C, feeling like 32 C at kickoff for the clash of the last two Olympic champions. The U.S. came out with purpose and Biyendolo, put behind the Canadian defence in the sixth minute, failed to find the target with an attempted chip. Two minutes later, Canada's defence was cut open again with Sheridan stopping Biyendolo's header. After going down 1-0, Canada threatened for the first time in the 20th minute only to see U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, in just her second senior appearance, deny Jordyn Huitema from in-close. Sheridan stopped Alyssa Thompson in the 23rd minute after another Canadian defensive breakdown. The U.S. had 63 per cent possession in the first half and outshot Canada 8-5 (6-2 in shots on target). Early in the second half, the Americans queued up to take a shot on the Canadian goal, winning ball after ball. Stoney sent on Nichelle Prince and Shelina Zadorsky in the 62nd minute. Simi Awujo, Holly Ward, Marie Levasseur and Annabelle Chukwu followed off the Canadian bench. Biyendolo hit the crossbar in the 80th minute as the Canadian defence was found wanting again. Appointed in January, Stoney saw her record with Canada fall to 6-2-1. The lone previous loss was a 1-0 setback April 8 at the hands of No. 32 Argentina in Langford, B.C. — 'a game we should never lose,' said Stoney. Hayes is 21-2-2 as U.S. coach since her debut in June 2024, with 2-1 losses earlier this year to No. 4 Brazil and No. 7 Japan. Canada was missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse, Jayde Riviere, Olivia Smith and Lysianne Proulx. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
