Latest news with #StephenFosterStakes
Gulf Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Tough task awaits First Mission in Group 1 Stephen Foster Stakes
First Mission hopes to confirm his place among North America's top older middle-distance stars in a blockbuster edition of the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The nine-furlong contest has attracted a stellar field that includes Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show, Breeders' Cup Classic scorer Sierra Leone, the 2024 Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan and recent G1 winner Mindframe. First Mission was fourth in the Stephen Foster 12 months ago but disappointed on his two other G1 appearances last year, failing to run any race at Gulfstream Park in the Pegasus World Cup and fading on a muddy track in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. Trained by Brad Cox, the Street Sense entire has posted four Graded Stakes wins, including a four-length verdict at Churchill Downs in the 2024 G2 Alysheba Stakes and comfortably taking the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on his latest start in April. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin US, said: 'First Mission is coming into the Stephen Foster in excellent shape and Brad couldn't be more pleased with him. He had a very nice breeze last Saturday, which should set him up nicely to take on the heavy hitters of the older colt's division. 'This is a strong renewal of the Stephen Foster featuring last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner, the Kentucky Derby winner and 2025 Dubai World Cup winner, plus the winner of last month's G1 Churchill Downs Stakes. 'We expect a big performance from First Mission and hope that this will be his coming out party at G1 level.' Siesta Key makes his three-year-old return for the same trainer in the American Derby later on the card. The Into Mischief colt, who is out of dual G1 winner Cocoa Beach, scored on debut before taking the Kitten's Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs but could only finish eighth in the G2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland's Fall Meet. Elsewhere, Speedy Godolphin galloper Austmarr returns to Eagle Farm for Saturday's G3 WJ Healy Stakes looking to atone for an unlucky defeat in the Listed Lightning Handicap three weeks ago. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare, who has run all her best races from in front, appeared to dwell slightly at the start in the Lightning and then overraced three-wide back in the field under jockey Kerrin McEvoy. Austmarr turned for home in ninth place but was still able to accelerate when McEvoy found clear running and only just failed to overhaul the winner, Vodka Martini, in the final 50m of the 1,000m scamper. Back to 1,200m on Saturday, and with a clean getaway from her ideal barrier one, Austmarr only needs to replicate her Rosehill Gardens victory three starts back to claim a third victory at Stakes level. Austmarr burst from the gates at Rosehill and led all the way to win the G3 Birthday Card over 1,200m on 22 March with McEvoy in the saddle. The daughter of Exosphere was then caught wide early when she tried to repeat that effort in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville five weeks later before being beaten 4.6 lengths by Charm Stone. Freshened-up prior to the Lightning, Austmarr again showed her quality with a great finish and, with even luck, must be one the leading Healy Stakes contenders on the limit weight. Her performance could decide whether the five-time winner races on next season. The Freedmans will also saddle-up promising three-year-old Trembles for Godolphin in the Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap over 1,000m at Caulfield. A winner at Mornington and Sandown in recent weeks, the daughter of Too Darn Hot and former G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake will be chasing her winning hat-trick with Jye McNeil in the saddle.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
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.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Stephen Foster 2025 Betting Preview: Showdown At Churchill Downs
Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan, right, to the finish line to win the 150th running of the ... More Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Bettors are in for a treat Saturday as a loaded field of top older horses lines up for the 44th running of the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs. The race, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Classic, features a compelling rematch between Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan and Breeders' Cup Classic champ Sierra Leone, along with Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show, rising star Mindframe, and several other stakes-caliber contenders. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a 12-race card that also includes five other stakes, making it one of the most attractive wagering days of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. First post is 12:45 p.m. ET, with the Foster set for 6:03 p.m. as Race 11. Let's break down the contenders with a focus on value, pace setup, and betting angles: Sierra Leone (Post 4 – Flavien Prat, Chad Brown) The likely favorite, Sierra Leone returns for his first start since dominating the Breeders' Cup Classic last fall. He's trained steadily at Brown's New York base and ships in fresh. He owns a win over 1 1/8 miles and is proven against top company. But bettors should weigh his 8-month layoff and potential lack of early speed, especially in a race that could favor forwardly placed runners. Mystik Dan (Post 5 – Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek) The Derby winner offers strong horse-for-course appeal with three wins at Churchill and enters off a sharp victory in the Blame Stakes (G3) over this track. He's razor sharp and should sit a perfect stalking trip. If the price floats above 4-1, he may be the best value play in the race. Mindframe (Post 2 – Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher) Mindframe is the wildcard. He's 4-for-6 lifetime and enters off a victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) sprinting. The key question: can he carry his speed around two turns? Pletcher has stretched sprinters out successfully before, and Ortiz sticks. He'll be near the pace early and could control things if no one pressures him. Hit Show (Post 6 – Florent Geroux, Brad Cox) Fresh off a career-defining win in the $12 million Dubai World Cup, Hit Show looms as the class of the field. But he's been off since April and will be spotting fitness to sharper foes. Trainer Brad Cox wins 24% off layoffs and this 5-year-old can certainly win—but he may be an underlay given the circumstances. First Mission (Post 1 – Luis Saez, Brad Cox) A sneaky contender, First Mission exits a win in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and draws the rail. He'll need to use some early speed to avoid getting shuffled back, but Saez is aggressive and Churchill has been kind to inside speed horses. He's capable of upsetting the apple cart with the right trip. Skippylongstocking (Post 3 – Jose Ortiz, Saffie Joseph Jr.) A battle-tested 6-year-old with back-class, 'Skippy' exits wins in the Gold Cup (G2) and Challenger (G3). He was third in this race last year and thrives at this distance. If the pace gets hot up front, he'll be one to watch flying late at a price. Ashcroft (Post 7 – Julien Leparoux, D. Wayne Lukas) The longest shot in the field, Ashcroft steps way up in class and looks overmatched on paper. He's more of a pace factor than a win candidate. With a Breeders' Cup Classic berth on the line and major betting value throughout the field, the 2025 Stephen Foster shapes up as a can't-miss race for fans and horseplayers alike. You can get the picks and plays over at
