Hystericalady

Eclipse Award winning-jockey Garrett Gomez hand-rode Hystericalady to a 7 ½-length triumph over Initforthekandy in Saturday’s $321,900 Fleur de Lis Handicap (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.

The 5-year-old mare, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, ran 1 1/8 miles on a “fast” main track in 1:50.88 en route to the fifth graded stakes victory of her 19-race career.

Overall, it was Hystericalady’s ninth win for owners Rancho San Miguel, Tom Clark, George Todaro and Hollendorfer. The $199,578 winner’s share of the purse pushed her lifetime earnings to $1,510,556.

Hystericalady, the 1-2 favorite in the field of five fillies and mares, pressed the early pace set by Initforthekandy, who ran the first quarter-mile in :24.78 and the half in :49.69. Into the far turn, Gomez urged Hystericalady to the front and the daughter of Distorted Humor responded nicely. She passed the six-furlong marker in 1:13.67, and drew off when asked in upper stretch.

Hystericalady paid $3 and $2.20. Initforthekandy, the longest shot at 15-1 under John McKee, held second and returned $7.20.

Kathleens Reel, Aspiring and Peach Flambe completed the order of finish. Cowgirls Don’t Cry was scratched.

Hystericalady, the Northern California invader who finished second to champion Ginger Punch in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI), returned to Churchill Downs Saturday for the third time in her career. Last year, she won the Humana Distaff (GI), then finished third in this year’s renewal on the May 3 Kentucky Derby undercard.

She has now won two of four starts this year. Her 2008 campaign also includes a victory in the Azeri Stakes (GIII) at Oaklawn Park.

STAKES QUOTES: THE FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP

GARRETT GOMEZ (jockey, Hystericalady) – “This is the first time I have ridden her and she is a nice, nice mare. I thought there might be one or two more horses go for the lead. I eased her out at the half-mile and she moved on. At the head of the stretch, she gave me a little more kick than I was expecting.”

JERRY HOLLENDORFER (trainer, Hystericalady) – “This worked out good for us. I am not sure when her next race is going to be, but it probably won’t be at Del Mar. I would think she may run two more times before the Breeders’ Cup."

(Regarding running on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup, on a surface she never has won on): “I can say that it is not her best surface, but she still has run well on it. Hopefully we will be around at the year of the year and get back to Santa Anita.”

JOHN MCKEE (jockey, Initforthekandy) – “She ran a really big race.  (Trainer Jeff) Talley had here well-conditioned going into it.  At the top of the lane when she (Hystericalady) came by, she (Initforthekandy) dug in.  But I knew she was just too much for me.  She ran up on to get second and she was determined.”

Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady, runner-up in last fall’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (Grade I), makes her second appearance of the spring at Churchill Downs on Saturday when she heads a field of six fillies and mares ages 3 and up for the 34th running of the $300,000-added Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

The Fleur de Lis is the first of six graded stakes worth a combined $2,025,000 on Stephen Foster Super Saturday. It also launches an all-stakes Pick 6, one of the highlight’s of the day’s rich wagering menu. First post time for the 11-race card is 1:15 p.m. (all times EDT) with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.

A multiple graded stakes winner, Hystericalady will carry high weight of 121 pounds and be ridden by 2007 Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez. The Hollendorfer trainee ran third in the seven-furlong Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, a race she had won the previous spring.

Hystericalady won the Grade III Azeri at Oaklawn Park in March for her lone win in three 2008 starts. In her most recent try at nine-furlong Fleur de Lis distance, she was beaten a neck by the champion Ginger Punch over a “sloppy” surface in the 2007 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) at Monmouth Park.

The field for the Fleur de Lis, from the rail out, is as follows: G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and W.S. Farish’s Aspiring (Julien Leparoux, 111 pounds); J. Paul Reddam and Rockin BB Ranch’s Peach Flambe (Robby Albarado, 116); Talley Racing’s Initforthekandy (John McKee, 113); Eagle Valley Farm’s Kathleens Reel (Calvin Borel, 114); Hystericalady (Garrett Gomez, 121) and Jeff Singer’s Cowgirls Don’t Cry (Mike Luzzi, 115).

The 32nd running of the $150,000-added Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) has attracted a field of 11, headlined by Frank Calabrese’s Eclipse Award-winning filly Dreaming of Anna for the 1 1/16-mile race over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, Dreaming of Anna secured her Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly at Churchill Downs in 2006 when she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) on the main track. Since finishing sixth to eventual 3-year-old filly champion Rags to Riches in the mud in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks (GI), Dreaming of Anna has raced exclusively on the grass, where she has compiled a career mark of 7-3-0 in 10 starts.

Garrett Gomez, who rode Dreaming of Anna to a runner-up finish to Bit of Whimsy in last fall’s prestigious Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup (GI) at Keeneland, has the mount Saturday and will make up most of her 123-pound impost assigned by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman.

The field for the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap, from the hedge out, is as follows: Woodford Racing’s Sprung (Shaun Bridgmohan, 114 pounds); Gold Square’s Mama I’m Home (Brian Hernandez Jr., 115); Dreaming of Anna (Garrett Gomez, 123); Elisabeth Alexander’s Sousaphone (Jesus Castanon, 112); Mrs. Paul Shanahan’s Rustic Flame (Ire) (Gavin Faulkner, 111); Hidden Creek Farm’s Street Sounds (Robby Albarado, 115); Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore Lady (Julien Leparoux, 114); Hurstland Farm’s Kiss With a Twist (Miguel Mena, 113); Joseph Allen’s Danzon (Kent Desormeaux, 115); Peter Bradley’s Tears I Cry (Jamie Theriot, 114) and Iron County Farms’ Ciao (Mike Luzzi, 115).

Three-year-olds will get their chance to shine in the other three stakes that comprise the Super Saturday card: the 31st running of the $200,000-added Jefferson Cup (GII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course; the seventh running of the $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII) at 1 1/16 miles on the main track; and, the 39th running of the $200,000-added Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

The Jefferson Cup features the 2008 debut of Lawrence Carroll’s Old Man Buck who closed out 2007 by winning the Grand Canyon Handicap on the closing day of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet. Trained by Ken McPeek, Old Man Buck has won three of four career starts on the grass including the Miller Lite Cradle at River Downs.

Robby Albarado, who has won the Jefferson Cup a record four times, including last year with Inca King, has the mount on Old Man Buck.

Eyeing a second consecutive turf graded stakes score is Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu, who upset the Crown Royal American Turf (GIII) field with a front-running win at 21-1 odds under Garrett Gomez on May 2. Gomez returns to pilot the son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) champion Tiznow for trainer Greg Fox.

The field for the Jefferson Cup, from the hedge out, is as follows: Zayat Stables’ Halo Najib (Kent Desormeaux, 117 pounds); Whispering Pines’ Budge Man (Jesus Castanon, 117); Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style (Julien Leparoux, 117); Tizdejavu (Garrett Gomez, 121); the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust’s Golden Yank (Jamie Theriot, 117); Old Man Buck (Robby Albarado, 119); Italian Stallion Racing Stable’s Bobby Blue Eyes (Miguel Mena, 117); and Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Go West Bert (Calvin Borel, 117).

Three colts that chased Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May will reunite in the Northern Dancer: Ronnie Lamarque and Louie Roussel III’s Recapturetheglory (fifth), Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Pyro (eighth) and Team Valor International and Vision Racing’s Visionaire (12th).

Winner of the Illinois Derby (GII), Recapturetheglory had been pointed for the Preakness after the Derby, but a fever less than 10 days before that race scuttled those plans.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Pyro opened the year with authoritative victories in the Risen Star (GIII) and Louisiana Derby (GII) at Fair Grounds. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Pyro ran 10th over the Polytrack at Keeneland in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GII).

Michael Matz, who trained 2007 Northern Dancer winner Chelokee, brings Visionaire back to Churchill Downs. A winner of three of seven career starts, Visionaire’s graded stakes score came in the Gotham (GIII).

The field for the Northern Dancer, from the rail out, is as follows: Recapturetheglory (E.T. Baird, 122 pounds); Pyro (Shaun Bridgmohan, 122); Zabeel Racing International’s Tiz Now Tiz Then (Miguel Mena, 116); James B. Tafel’s Unbridled Vicar (Calvin Borel, 116); B. Wayne Hughes’ My Pal Charlie (Jamie Theriot, 116); Visionaire (Garrett Gomez, 120) and Stonerside Stable’s Texas Wildcatter (Julien Leparoux, 116).

The Regret marks the return to the grass for Pure Clan. Owned by IEAH Stable, Lewis Lakin and Pegasus Holding Group Stables, Pure Clan ran third to Proud Spell in the Kentucky Oaks (GI) in his most recent start.

However, the Bob Holthus trainee began her career on the grass, posting victories in her first two starts at Ellis Park and Keeneland. At Churchill Downs last fall, Pure Clan moved to the main track won the Pocahontas (GIII) and Golden Rod (GII) stakes under Julien Leparoux, who will be aboard Saturday.

Leparoux won the 2006 renewal of the Regret aboard Lady of Venice.

Zayat Stables’ Zee Zee, trained by three-time Regret winner Bill Mott, won the May 2 Edgewood at Churchill Downs to increase her career turf record to three wins in four starts. Her lone loss on grass came last summer at Saratoga against males when she ran second to eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Nownownow.

The field for the Regret, from the hedge out, is as follows: Sarah Lyn Stables’ C J’s Leelee (Robby Albarado, 116 pounds); Overbrook Farm’s Clearly Foxy (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118); Zee Zee (Kent Desormeaux, 122); Pure Clan (Julien Leparoux, 116); Keith Kinmon’s Absolutely Cindy (Orlando Mojica, 116); G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s Magical Theater (Calvin Borel, 116) and Glory Days Racing’s Miss Mafioso (Jesus Castanon, 116).

 

Reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin could be asked to concede between 10 and 15 pounds to horses under consideration for Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable, Curlin was assigned 128 pounds by Churchill Downs Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for the mile and one-eighth dirt race.

The 128-pound impost is believed to be the largest in North America in a Grade I event since Skip Away toted 128 pounds in the May 1998 Pimlico Special. Later in 1998, Skip Away carried 131 pounds to victory in the Grade II Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park.

According to Allison De Luca of the Churchill Downs Racing Office, considered as definite for the Stephen Foster are Grasshopper (117), Brass Hat (116), Barcola (113), and High Blues (113) with “possible” contenders including Einstein (118), Delightful Kiss (114), Jonesboro (114), Red Rock Creek (113) and Sam P. (113).

Curlin is scheduled to work on Monday in preparation for his possible start in the Stephen Foster. Trainer Steve Asmussen plans to breeze the 4-year-old winner of the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) around 6:15 a.m. (EDT).

Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady is expected to be the starting high weight in the $300,000-added Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII). Winner of the 2007 Humana Distaff (GI) and runner-up in last fall’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), Hystericalady was assigned 121 pounds for the 1 1/8-mile main track test for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up.

As of Sunday morning, the Fleur de Lis was coming up light with only Peach Flambe (116) and Kathleens Reel (114) considered as “definite” to challenge Hystericalady. Possible starters include Dawn After Dawn (116) and Tough Tiz’s Sis (120), the fourth- and seventh-place finishers in last year’s Kentucky Oaks (GI) behind eventual Belmont Stakes (GI) winner and 3-year-old filly champion Rags to Riches.

Two-time turf stakes winner Old Man Buck, owned by Lawrence Carroll, is expected to make his 2008 debut in the $200,000-added Jefferson Cup (GII) for 3-year-old colts and geldings at a mile and eighth on the Matt Winn Turf Course. Also considered as definite for the Jefferson Cup is Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style, winner of the Grade I Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity last fall over Keeneland’s Polytrack surface.

Others considered as definite for the race are Bobby Blue Eyes, Budge Man, Halo Najib, Nistle’s Crunch and Tizdejavu. Regarded as possible are Amazing Results, Hard Strike and Sailor’s Cap. Golden Yank, dead-heat winner of last December’s Delta Jackpot (GIII), is eyeing either the Jefferson Cup or the Grade III Northern Dancer.

Three participants in the May 3 Kentucky Derby are considered to be “definite” for the $175,000-added Northern Dancer for 3-year-olds on the main track. Fifth-place finisher Recapturetheglory, eighth-place finisher Pyro and 12th-place finisher Visionaire are all scheduled to run in the Northern Dancer. Others set to run in the mile and a sixteenth race are Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up My Pal Charlie, Gotham (GIII) runner-up Texas Wildcatter, Tiz Now Tiz Then and Unbridled Vicar. Admirality, scratched out of a Saturday allowance race at Belmont Park, is a possible starter.

Pure Clan, third to Proud Spell in this year’s Kentucky Oaks, is expected to head the Grade III $200,000-added Regret for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and an eighth on the turf. Others considered “definite” are Absolutely Cindy, C J’s Leelee, Clearly Foxy, Magical Theater, Miss Mafioso and Zee Zee. Grace and Power, owned by Bobby Flay, is “possible.”

Eclipse Award winner Dreaming of Anna, assigned high weight of 123 pounds for the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf, is expected to head a small but select field. Others considered “definite” for the race are Mama I’m Home, Ballymore Lady, Sprung and Kiss With a Twist.

Entries for the Super Saturday card are due Wednesday.

ZITO BARN STRIKES LATE AT CHURCHILL BEFORE BELMONT SCORE – The aesthetics were not the best, but assistant trainer Tim Poole had no complaints about where he watched Saturday afternoon’s Belmont Stakes (GI).

“I was at the spit box with Wisconsin Girl after she won the last race,” said Poole, who oversees trainer Nick Zito’s Kentucky string. “There has got to be karma in this game, because you know what the name of the race was? The UPSers.com Race. I wasn’t going to let go of that trophy, because I knew as long as I had it, Big Brown wasn’t going to beat us at Belmont.”

Da’ Tara, who had finished fifth in the April 26 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs, won the 140th Belmont with stablemate Anak Nakal, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby, finishing in a dead heat for third.

“I called Nick right after the race and said ‘Congratulations … and by the way, Wisconsin Girl won the last at Churchill,’ ” Poole said. “He didn’t even know because he was leading the horses over to the paddock when her race was run here.”

EINSTEIN WORKS ‘BULLET’ FOR POSSIBLE FOSTER RUN – With trainer Helen Pitts up, Patricia Cunningham and Melissa Green, Lessee’s Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) winner Einstein worked five furlongs on a fast main track in :59 immediately after the track opened after the morning renovation break.

“I’m gonna fire the rider,” Pitts said with a laugh. “He went a little quicker than I liked, but I have nobody to blame but myself. He worked awesome.”

Einstein’s five-furlong work was was fastest of 32 at the distance.

A two-time Grade I winner on turf this year, Einstein was assigned 118 pounds for the Stephen Foster and would receive 10 pounds from Curlin if both wind up in the same starting gate Saturday.

“The 10 pounds, I like that,” Pitts said. “But we will still wait and see to see who else is in there at entry time.”

BARN TALK – With Robby Albarado and Julien Leparoux both riding at Belmont Park, Miguel Mena took advantage of their absence to gain ground in the race for leading jockey of the 52-day Spring Meet. Mena rode two winners on Saturday to vault past Leparoux and into second place in the standings with 36 wins. He trailed Albarado by a single victory, with Leparoux one win back in third heading into Sunday’s racing.

WORK TAB (Track: FAST) – Major players from the Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen barns worked Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Possible “Super Saturday” starters working for Pletcher were Sam P. and Texas Wildcatter who covered five furlongs in 1:01.80 before the renovation break. Other Pletcher workers were New Orleans Handicap (GII) winner Circular Quay (a half-mile in :50.60), Kentucky Cup Distaff (GIII) winner Danzon (a half in :47.60) and Fairbanks (five-eighths in 1:00.80). Asmussen workers included two-time Grade I winner Student Council (five-eighths in 1:02.20), Indiana Derby (GII) and West Virginia Derby (GIII) winner Zanjero (1:03.40 for five-eighths) and Red Rock Creek, who worked five furlongs in 1:02.80.

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through Saturday, June 7

Jockeys Starts 1-2-3

Robby Albarado 147 37-19-21

Miguel Mena 204 36-26-27

Julien Leparoux 196 35-36-36

Calvin Borel 206 30-32-32

Shaun Bridgmohan 137 26-27-18

Jamie Theriot 145 24-22-10

Jesus Castanon 165 20-14-17

Elvis Trujillo 58 10-9-15

Corey Lanerie 123 9-17-12

Brian Hernandez Jr. 111 9-16-13

Larry Sterling Jr. 64 9-7-9

John McKee 93 8-14-16

Tracy Hebert 84 7-5-6

Trainers

Tom Amoss 48 20-6-8

Ken McPeek 46 19-7-4

Steve Asmussen 75 16-14-12

Mike Maker 37 11-6-4

Ian Wilkes 33 10-6-5

Dale Romans 82 8-18-16

Eddie Kenneally 39 8-8-7

Cody Autrey 42 7-8-7

Steve Margolis 31 7-5-6

Wesley Ward 24 7-5-4

Five (5) trainers tied with six (6) wins

Owners

Ken and Sarah Ramsey 35 12-5-6

Maggi Moss 18 9-2-3

Zayat Stables, LLC 32 6-6-7

Richard, Elaine & Bert Klein 26 6-6-3

Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 11 5-1-0

Padua Stables 7 4-1-0

Eight (8) owners tied with three (3) wins

 

Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin heads a star-studded roster of veteran racing stars nominated to the 27th running of the Churchill Downs’ $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) on Saturday, June 14 at Churchill Downs.

The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is the main event on a schedule of six stakes races on “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” and could carry a record purse of $1 million if the field includes one or more winners of a previous Grade I stakes event. Churchill Downs has offered to supplement $250,000 from its marketing account to the Stephen Foster purse if at least one Grade I winner starts in the race.

Curlin, a 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, won the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba and last fall’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (GI) at Monmouth Park. The Steve Asmussen-trained chestnut finished third to Street Sense in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) at Churchill Downs, but avenged that setback in the Preakness (GI) and also won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park during the campaign in which he also earned an Eclipse Award as 3-year-old champion.

Curlin, who has won eight of 11 races and earned $8,807,800, opened his 4-year-old campaign with a pair of victories in Dubai highlighted by his 7 ¾-length romp in the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race.

Other Grade I winners among the 29 older stars nominated to the Stephen Foster Handicap include Stonecrest Farm’s homebred Perfect Drift, who upset eventual “Horse of the Year” Mineshaft to win the 2003 Foster and has career earnings of $4,699,321; Millennium Farms’ Student Council, the winner of the recent Pimlico Special (GI) and last year’s Pacific Classic (GI) who has career earnings of $1,307,731; Fred Bradley’s homebred Brass Hat, a career earner of $1,761,814 who won Donn Handicap (GI) at Gulfstream Park in 2006; J. Paul Reddam’s Great Hunter, who won the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland in 2006; and Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein, winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) and two-time winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf (GI) who has earned $1,107,931.

Other notables nominated to the 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap include the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust’s A.P. Arrow, winner of the 2007 Clark Handicap (GII) at Churchill Downs; Stronach Stable’s Giant Gizmo, winner of the Alysheba (GIII) at Churchill Downs and the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII) in his last two starts; William S. Farish and E.J. Hudson’s Grasshopper, winner of the Mineshaft Handicap (GIII) and runner-up to Street Sense in the 2007 Travers (GI); Michael Langford’s Jonesboro, winner of the Razorback Handicap (GIII); Mike Willman’s McCann’s Mojave, winner of the Berkley Handicap (GIII) at Golden Gate Fields and a career earner of nearly $1.5 million; and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Zanjero, winner of the 2006 Indiana Derby (GII) and West Virginia Derby (GIII) who has earned more than $1.3 million.

The five major stakes races that share the spotlight with the Stephen Foster Handicap on the “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” racing program also attracted strong rosters of nominees.

The 34th running of the $300,000-added Fleur De Lis (GII) for fillies and mares ages 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles boasts Stronach Stable’s Ginger Punch and Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady among its 18 nominees. Ginger Punch capped a stellar 2007 campaign with a victory in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) at Monmouth Park. She also won the Ruffian (GI) and Go for Wand (GI) on her way to an Eclipse Award that honored her as America’s top older filly or mare. She won the Louisville Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs in her most recent start.

Hystericalady burst to prominence last year with a victory in the $300,000-added Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill Downs and finished a close second to Ginger Punch in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Other major stakes winners nominated to the Fleur De Lis include Bear Now, Leah’s Secret, Spring Waltz, Tough Tiz’s Sis and Tessa Blue.

Thirty-two 3-year-olds were nominated to the 31st running of the $200,000-added Jefferson Cup (GII) at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Prominent members of that roster of nominees include Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu, winner of the $150,000-added Crown Royal American Turf (GIII); Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style, winner of the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland; Sarah and Jon Kelly’s Calder Derby (GIII) and Palm Beach (GIII) winner Sporting Art; Arlington Classic winner Meal Penalty; and Cradle winner Old Man Buck.

The 39th running of the $200,000-added Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course includes the versatile Pure Clan among its nominees. Owned by IEAH Stable, Lewis Lakin and Pegasus Holding Group, the daughter of Pure Prize finished third to Proud Spell in the 134th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI). Trainer Robert Holthus plans to make the Regret a return to the grass for Pure Clan, who won her first two races on turf before she switched to the dirt to win Churchill Downs’ $250,000-added Golden Rod (GII) and $100,000-added Pocahontas (GIII).

Others nominated to the Regret include Zayat Stables’ Edgewood winner Zee Zee; Koolmen Racing Stable’s A to the Croft, a recent allowance winner on turf at Churchill Downs who ran seventh in the Kentucky Oaks and was Grade I-placed on the dirt at two; Absolutely Cindy, who ran 10th in the Kentucky Oaks, but defeated males in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park for owner/trainer Keith Kinmon; Charles Laloggia’s Clearly Foxy, winner of Woodbine’s Natalma (GIII) as a 2-year-old; Sands Point (GII) and Calder Oaks runner-up Life is Sweet; and celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s Hollywood Starlet (GI) runner-up Grace and Power.

At least two horses that chased unbeaten Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) are expected to compete in the seventh running of the $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Louie Roussel III and Ronnie Lamarque’s Recapturetheglory, who was fifth in the Kentucky Derby, and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Pyro, who was eighth in the “Run for the Roses,” are among the 26 3-year-olds nominated to the Northern Dancer.

Other Derby veterans on the roster of Northern Dancer nominees include Cool Coal Man (15th in the Derby) and Visionaire (12th). Coolmore Lexington (GII) winner Behindatthebar; Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up My Pal Charlie; Hollywood Prevue (GIII) winner Massive Drama; Racecar Rhapsody, the fourth-place finisher in the Preakness; and Gotham (GIII) runner-up Texas Wildcatter are also nominated.

Thirty-eight older fillies and mares were nominated to the 32nd running of the $150,000-added Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Major stars in that group include Frank Calabrese’s multiple turf stakes winner Dreaming of Anna, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2006; Jacks or Better Farm’s Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile (GIII) winner Bayou’s Lassie; Joseph Allen’s Kentucky Cup Distaff (GIII) winner Danzon; Lawrence Goichman’s My Charmer (GIII) winner J’ray; and IEAH Stable and WinStar Farm’s Lake Placid (GIII) winner Sharp Susan.

Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein (BRZ) will be hoping the third time’s the charm Saturday when he takes on seven rivals in the 22nd running of the $400,000-added Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI), one of five graded stakes preceding the 134th running of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) at Churchill Downs.

In addition to the Woodford Reserve on the Derby Day card that has a first post time of 11 a.m. (EDT), the 22nd running of the Grade I Humana Distaff will feature the return to Churchill Downs of Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady, who won the 2007 renewal by four lengths.

Trained by Helen Pitts, Einstein ran fourth in the 2006 Woodford Reserve and seventh last year in the mile and one-eighth race. A six-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck, Einstein has won two of three grass starts in 2008, including the Gulfstream Park Turf (GI) in February.

Einstein, who will break from post position five under Robby Albarado, will not be the only Grade I winner in the field.

David Heerensperger’s Artiste Royale (IRE), took the Clement L. Hirsch last fall at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita for trainer Neil Drysdale. In his most recent start, Artiste Royale finished fourth in the one-mile Arcadia Handicap (GII) at Santa Anita.

Other graded stakes winners in the field include Stud TNT’s Out of Control (BRZ), Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song and Andrew Farm, Connie Scanlon and James Buckley’s Duveen.

Hystericalady’s Humana Distaff victory was one of three she registered in 2007, a year that concluded with a runner-up finish to champion Ginger Punch in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI). Trained by Hollendorfer, Hystericalady enters the Humana Distaff off a 3 ½-length victory in the March 9 Azeri (GIII) at Oaklawn Park.

Rafael Bejarano, who rode Hystericalady in last year’s Humana Distaff, has the call Saturday and will break from the rail in the field of nine.

Among her rivals are the 2-3-4 finishers from the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park in October: Puglisi Stables and Steve Klesaris’ Miraculous Miss, Roll Reroll Stables’ Miss Macy Sue and Zayat Stables’ Baroness Thatcher. Also in the field is Tom Grether Farms’ Intangaroo, winner of the Grade I Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita in February.

Other graded stakes on the Derby Day card are the 74th running of Grade II Churchill Downs, which drew a field of nine with Robert Yagos’ Spotsgone and George Bolton, Joan Corrigan and Antony Beck’s Noonmark share top weight of 120 pounds; the 53rd running of the Grade III La Troienne for three-year-old fillies going 7 ½ furlongs on the main track; and, the 19th running of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, a Grade III event featuring 2006 Eclipse Award winner Dreaming of Anna, who will be facing eight rivals, including Vinery Madison (GII) winner Ventura, owned by Juddmonte Farms.