STEPHEN FOSTER TOPS HUGE SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL
STEPHEN FOSTER TOPS HUGE SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL
A trio of graded races will take place this Saturday at Churchill Downs, led by the $400,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. This key event for the top handicap horses around looks to be coming up strong in 2012. Grade 1 winner Wise Dan bagged the 2010 Clark H. (G1) here and was most impressive in his lone start in 2012, a 10-length romp in track-record time in the Ben Ali S. (G3) at Keeneland. The Charles Lopresti trainee went over the $1 million mark in earnings last out and has been assigned the high weight.
Alternation has risen at or near the top of the handicap division this campaign by winning four races in succession, the latter in a game decision in the Pimlico Special (G3). This Donnie von Hemel charge has changes his running style from his three-year-old campaign and is now a threat from the opening bell in here. Mission Impazible fell just a neck shy of winning this race in 2011, and the Todd Pletcher pupil ran an even fourth as the choice in the Pimlico Special last time. He would be no surprise. Nate's Mineshaft has wired five fields in his last six starts and should be winging it on the front end. Pimlico Special second Nehro, Grade 1 winner To Honor and Serve, Alysheba S. (G2) star Successful Dan, Santa Anita H. (G1) victor Ron the Greek and Grade 3 champ Fort Larned add to the depth and class of this fine field.
Champion Royal Delta is set to make her next start in the $150,000 Fleur de Lis H. (G2) for trainer Bill Mott. A fine winner of the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1) on this oval in the fall, the daughter of Empire Maker was last seen ninth in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), but should surely appreciate the drop back with her kind. The four-year-old has been training swiftly and appears to be sitting on a big one.
Pachattack, last seen taking the Doubledogdare S. (G3) at Keeneland, looms an upset chance in this one for trainer Graham Motion. The Grade 1-placed six-year-old had a fine conclusion to her 2011 stanza and seems to have bounced back well this season. La Troienne S. (G2) runner-up St. John's River has put in a pair of big tries on this oval in her career and should improve off of her last. Apple Blossom S. (G1) third Tiz Miz Sue and Grade 1 placed Absinthe Minded are also lining up for this affair.
Sophomore fillies will run on the lawn in the $100,000 Regret S. (G2). Stephanie's Kitten bagged the Breeders' Cup Juvenile fillies (G2) on this oval at two, and was last seen dominating the Edgewood S. here in advance of this one for trainer Wayne Catalano. She's the one to beat in this solid field.
Grade 1 heroine Karlovy Vary, multiple graded heroine On Fire Baby, Grade 1-placed stakes winner Judy the Beauty and Hilltop S. winner Coup, are also signed on for this test.
Also on Saturday is the $100,000 Matt Winn S., a 1 1/16 miles event for three-year-old runners.