Wise Dan, Alternation Head Accomplished Field of Nine for Saturday's Stephen Foster Handicap
Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan, winner of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade I) at Churchill Downs last fall, and Pin Oak Stable’s homebred Alternation, the top-rated horse in the latest NTRA poll off his narrow victory in the Pimlico Special (GIII), head a stellar field of nine entered f
McPeek Looking for Top Effort from Rogue Romance in Foster
Catesby Clay’s Rogue Romance could be one of the longest shots on the board for the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs, but trainer Ken McPeek hopes for a top effort from his 4-year-old colt when he faces a group of some of the best older horses in training.
Nates Mineshaft Set for Foster; Alternation Works at Churchill Downs
NATES MINESHAFT CONFIRMED FOR SATURDAY’S STEPHEN FOSTER – Trainer Austin Smith has confirmed Tuesday that Windy Hill Farm’s Nates Mineshaft, a 7 ¼-length winner of both the Lone Star Park Handicap (Grade III) in his most recent start and the New Orleans Handicap (GII) earlier at Fair Grounds, will compete in Saturday night’s 31
Asmussen Duo of Nehro, Astrology Likely For Stephen Foster 'Cap
NEHRO, ASTROLOGY LIKELY STRONG DUO FOR ASMUSSEN IN GRADE I FOSTER – Trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday that he has “mixed emotions” about running the “two best horses” in his stable against an imposing field in the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I), but he expects to have a double-barreled threat in the starting gate for Saturday
Wise Dan Assigned High Weight for Stephen Foster; Alternation Arrives for Foster Bid
Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan, a 10 ½-length winner of the Ben Ali (Grade III) in track-record time on Keeneland’s synthetic Polytrack surface, has been named the 123 pound high weight by Churchill Downs’ Racing Secretary Ben Huffman for Saturday’s $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (GI).
Guys Reward Rallies to Win Opening Verse
Michael Bruder’s Guys Reward, a horse that has run some of his finest races over Churchill Downs’ Matt Winn Turf Course, collected his first stakes victory over that course at the historic track when he rallied from last in a field of six to win the $73,392 Opening Verse Overnight Stakes by a half-length over favored Se
Scotus Tries Turf, Guys Reward on Short Rest in Opening Verse
Peter Callahan’s Scotus will make his fifth career start beneath the Twin Spires in Saturday’s $73,600 Opening Verse at Churchill Downs, but it will be his first visit to the Matt Winn Turf Course. In fact, it will be his first race on the turf anywhere.
Churchill Downs Joins Fans To Celebrate I'll Have Another's Triple Crown Bid
Churchill Downs will join its fans in celebrating the historic Triple Crown bid by I’ll Have Another, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!
Wise Dan Breezes Bullet at Keeneland in Prep for Foster; Royal Delta is a 'Go' for Fleur de Lis
Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan completed his major training preparations for the June 16 $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) at Churchill Downs with a bullet five-furlong work in :59.40 for trainer Charlie Lopresti on Thursday over the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland.
Wise Dan, Alternation, Nehro Top Nominations to First Stephen Foster Under Lights
Morton Fink’s high-powered homebreds Wise Dan and Successful Dan join Pimlico Special (GIII) 1-2 finishers Alternation and Nehro atop a glittering roster of 16 older stars nominated to compete in the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I), the main event on a spectacular night of racing at Chu
Trainer Brad Cox Enjoys Success at Home Track
Very few people have the opportunity to live out their childhood dreams, but trainer Brad Cox counts himself among the lucky ones. The 32-year-old Cox grew up just blocks from the Twin Spires and always desired to become a successful trainer at Churchill Downs.
With seven wins at the Spring Meet from just 17 starters, Cox’s dreams have become reality.
McPeek Gets 300th Churchill Downs Win with Bizzy Caroline in Early Times Mint Julep
Catesby Clay’s Bizzy Caroline charged furiously down the Matt Winn Turf Course and gave trainer Ken McPeek his 300th career win at Churchill Downs when she got up in the final jump to take the 36th running of the $111,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (Grade III) by a neck over pacesetter Heavenly Landing.
Rothko Powerful in Grade III Aristides
Padua Stables’ homebred Rothko made his first start in three months and dominated six rivals to win Saturday night’s 24th running of the Grade III, $109,400 Aristides at Churchill Downs by 2 ½ lengths over Will’s Wildcat.
Island Bound Rallies to Score in Grade III Winning Colors
Robert T. Manfuso’s Island Bound, ridden by Leandro Goncalves, rallied from the outside and edged clear late to win the ninth running of the Grade III, $110,100 Winning Colors by 1 ¼ lengths over Beat the Blues on Friday night at Churchill Downs.
Lopresti Says Wise Dan Definite for Foster, Successful Dan 'Possible'
WISE DAN DEFINITE FOR STEPHEN FOSTER, SUCCESSFUL DAN POSSIBLE – One would be hard-pressed to find a duo of older males in better form than Morton Fink’s homebreds Wise Dan and Successful Dan and it’s possible the talented half-brothers could battle for barn bragging rights in the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (
Calhoun Trio Heads Winning Colors; In Foal Ravi's Song Seeks First Graded Stakes Victory in Early Times Mint Julep
The Bret Calhoun-trained trio of Beat the Blues, Speedacious and Gleaming – all multiple stakes winners with 28 victories and earnings of more than $1.1 million among them – head the field of eight fillies and mares entered for Saturday’s $100,000-added Winning Colors (Grade III) at six furlongs on the main track.
Good Deed Bids to Become First 3YO to Take Winning Colors
Bert, Elaine and Richard Klein’s 3-year-old filly Good Deed will bid on Saturday to both improve off a runner-up effort to the impressive Contested in the Eight Belles Presented by Xerox (GIII) on Kentucky Oaks Day and become the first of her age group to defeat her elders in the $100,000-added Winning
Downs After Dark Moves to Saturday Nights, Will Be Showcased Every Other Saturday in June at 6 P.M.
The biggest summer parties in Louisville return in earnest to Churchill Downs on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET as the home of the Kentucky Derby welcomes back its wildly-popular nighttime racing series, “Downs After Dark” Presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka.
Tapitsfly to Carry Top Weight in Saturday's Early Times Mint Julep Handicap
Frank Jones Jr.’s Tapitsfly, runner-up to Hungry Island in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Presented by American Commercial Lines (Grade II), will shoulder the top weight of 121 pounds when she faces eight rivals in Saturday’s 36th running of the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/
Millionaire Noble's Promise Set to Defend Title in Saturday's Aristides
JCM Racing Stable’s Noble’s Promise, a Grade I stakes winner with more than $1 million in career earnings, will face seven rivals on Saturday at Churchill Downs as he defends his 2011 victory in the $100,000-added Aristides (GIII), one of three stakes races to be run under the lights during the evening’s Downs After Dark Presented by St
