Spot Plays for Stephen Foster Day, June 27, 2026

Churchill Downs opens every spring with a bang, hosting the Kentucky Derby (G1) at the end of its first full week. But this year's spring session closes with a relatively loud boom of its own, courtesy of a vintage renewal of the Stephen Foster (G1).

The Foster-anchored card on Saturday features six other stakes, along with a handful of intriguing maidens and allowances. Here is a quartet of runners I'll be taking a look at over the course of the 12-race program.

Race 2: Maiden, 1:15 p.m. ET

#8 Sassmaster (6-1) was backed down to 3-1 on debut at Saratoga last August, but made a gradual retreat during the last half of the six-furlong test. The form of that race has held up quite well, though, with runner-up Oscar's Hope winning stakes at Delta Downs and Oaklawn over the winter, and third-place Igniter earning black type success at Aqueduct.

A half-brother to Grade 2-winning sprinter Royal Charlotte, Sassmaster can take a step forward here and, being by Curlin, should handle stretching out to 1 1/16 miles.

Race 5: Anchorage S., 2:45 p.m. ET

Although she's posted only one win in three prior turf attempts, #6 Just Basking (6-1) arguably has the best recent company lines. Two back, she was a 13-1 upsetter in The Very One (G3) at Gulfstream, beating No Show Sammy Jo and Dona Clota, who have since won the Sheepshead Bay (G3) and Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3), respectively.

Just Basking wasn't quite good enough to repeat in the Orchid (G3), but that form has worked out well, too, with runner-up Ayra Stark winning the Keertana S. next out and third-place Speed Shopper landing the Bewitch (G3).

Despite the cutback in distance here, Just Basking might be packing the strongest punch at the end.

Race 9: Bango (G3), 4:58 p.m. ET

I expect #5 Extra Anejo (6-1) to make progress off his May 21 allowance prep, where he finished a distant third to returning rival Built. Extra Anejo had not started since August, and really had not turned in an effort of any value since June, when he finished third in the one-mile Hanshin S.

Winner of the Commonwealth (G3) at Keeneland last term, Extra Anejo has otherwise shown much of his best form here at Churchill. An expected hot pace involving Harrodsburg and Cornucopian might set things up well for him.

Race 12: Tepin S., 6:32 p.m. ET

Although beaten as an odds-on choice in the Cleopatra H. at Horseshoe Indianapolis last time, #3 East Jabip (4-1) seems deserving of another chance at stakes level at what should be a better price. Trainer Brian Lynch has enjoyed a fantastic meet this spring, while jockey Irad Ortiz, who guided her to the first two wins, is back aboard.

Also notable is the family connection, with this female line having yielded winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), Melbourne Cup (G1), and a Royal Ascot winner.