Stephen Foster Handicap

Headed by the 138^th runnings of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the $1 million-guaranteed Kentucky Oaks (GI), Churchill Downs’ schedule of stakes races for its April 28-July 1 Spring Meet will feature 24 events, total stakes purses of $7.275 million and an emphasis on ‘big event’ programs that include the first nighttime running of the multi-stakes event headed by the Stephen Foster Handicap, one of America’s top races for older horses.

All but one of the 24 Spring Meet stakes events has achieved graded stakes status, and five are Grade I contests topped by the Kentucky Derby, America’s greatest race, and its companion Kentucky Oaks.  The Grade I roster is rounded out by the $500,000-added Woodford Reserve Turf Classic and $300,000-added Humana Distaff, both set for their 26^th runnings on the Kentucky Derby Day program, and the Stephen Foster Handicap, which will carry a purse of $400,000-added when it makes its first appearance beneath Churchill Downs’ permanent lights when the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is run for the 31^st time on Saturday, June 16.

The spring schedule of stakes races at Churchill Downs features four multi-stakes race programs.  Total stakes purses for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks programs, each featuring six stakes events, will be the largest in the history of those great American races.  Six stakes contests on the Derby Day program on Saturday, May 5, offer total purses $3.525 million, up from last year’s then-record of $3.4 million. Overall stakes purses for Kentucky Oaks Day, Friday, May 4, will surpass $2 million for the first time as its half-dozen stakes races are now worth a collective $2.05 million.  Oaks Day stakes purses hit the $2 million mark for the first time in 2011, when the value of the Kentucky Oaks, America’s top race for 3-year-old fillies, doubled to $1 million.

The value of stakes purses for the 2012 Spring Meet is down slightly from last year’s of total of $7.325 million for 25 races.  Purses for three 2012 races on the popular Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Day programs have been increased, headed by a $100,000 boost for the Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes, a race for 4-year-olds and up at seven furlongs that is now worth $400,000-added.  Purses for five Spring Meet stakes races were adjusted downward, including a $100,000 reduction for the Stephen Foster Handicap and a $50,000 decrease for the Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII), a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares ages three and up that is set to return from a one-year hiatus with a $150,000-added purse as one of four stakes races on the Stephen Foster Night program.

Nine of the 12 Spring Meet stakes races outside of its blockbuster Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks programs are scheduled to be run in prime time on a Saturday night.

"Our 2012 Spring Meet Stakes schedule at Churchill Downs is exciting in terms of the high quality events and wonderful possibilities offered to the fans who enjoy those races and the owners, trainers and jockeys who compete in them,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Our fans who support Churchill Downs racing at our track, through TwinSpires.com and other advance deposit wagering platforms, and at simulcast centers have shown us that they love big-event programs, so we’ve added a fourth multi-race stakes card to the schedule.  We’re eager to see how stakes races on each of our four ‘Downs After Dark’ night racing programs enhance those Saturdays of racing under the lights.

“But our stakes purses are basically flat to last year’s total, and we’ve had to do some adjusting within our available purse funds to make the overall schedule of our top races as attractive as possible to both horsemen and racing fans. The schedule continues to offer strong events in every division of horses, but the lack of growth in those purses continues to reflect the challenges Churchill Downs and Kentucky’s horse industry face in the continued growth of direct gaming competition from neighboring and other racing markets that benefit from gaming revenues.”

The 2012 Spring Meet will kick off on Saturday, April 28 with the “Opening Night” celebration under the lights that launches both the spring racing session and Kentucky Derby Week.  The evening’s racing highlight is the 88^th running of the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (Grade III), the one-mile race for 3-year-olds that is the final major prep for the Kentucky Derby.  Last year’s debut of “Opening Night” attracted 38,142 fans, which was the largest crowd in the short history of night racing beneath the Twin Spires and a record for a non-Derby/Oaks/Breeders’ Cup program.

All four night racing programs during the Spring Meet are scheduled on Saturdays and will, for the first time, feature graded stakes races along their array of “Downs After Dark” dining and entertainment options.

A quartet of stakes races with total purses of $750,000 is set for the Stephen Foster Handicap “Downs After Dark’ night racing program on Saturday, June 16.  Along with its main event and the return of the Fleur de Lis, Stephen Foster Night will offer a pair of Grade III contests in $100,000-added Matt Winn, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, and the $100,000-added Regret for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on grass.  A trio of $100,000-added stakes races is set for the “Downs After Dark” celebration on Saturday, June 2. And the “Downs After Dark” finale on Saturday, June 30 will feature the historic 111^th running of the $100,000-added Bashford Manor (GIII) for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

Other changes in the purse or status of races on the 2012 Spring Meet stakes schedule include:

• Purse hikes for two Kentucky Derby Day stakes races: a $100,000 boost to the Churchill Downs Stakes (GII) making it worth $400,000-added, and a $25,000 increase for Twin Spires Turf Sprint Presented by GE - Appliances & Lighting (GIII), which now has a purse of $125,000;

• The $300,000-added Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables on Kentucky Oaks Day has been elevated to Grade II status, and the purse for the ungraded Edgewood Presented by Kentucky Naational Insurance on the same day has jumped to $150,000-added, an increase of $50,000;
• The purse for the Firecracker Handicap (GII), the featured event on the meet’s closing day program on Sunday, July 1, has been reduced by $25,000 to $150,000-added;
• Purses for the $100,000-added Regret and $100,000-added Matt Winn on Stephen Foster Night were reduced by $25,000 each;
• Two stakes run in 2011 – the $100,000-added Dogwood (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies and the $100,000-added Jefferson Cup (GIII) for 3-year-olds on turf – are on hiatus for at least a year.

Click here for the complete 2012 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

Churchill Downs has been the scene of many historic races and special moments since its debut meet in 1875, but few of the track’s racing meets held each year since have seen as many historic ‘firsts’ – including an unusual blast from Mother Nature – as the 2011 Spring Meet concluded its 38-day run with an Independence Day program on Monday, July 4.

The venerable track’s record books underwent serious adjustment following a record-smashing 137^th running of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) on Saturday, May 7 that established a new standard for attendance at America’s greatest race; a special Spring Meet “Opening Night” under the track’s permanent lights set an attendance mark of its own; a continuation of the success of the special “Downs After Dark” night racing programs; and the remarkable recovery by the track and its horsemen from a rare tornado that blasted sections of its stable area on Wednesday, June 22.

Spring Meet racing highlights included first-of-their-kind wins by Team Valor International’s Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby and William Farish Jr.’s Pool Play in the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (GI), with each horse making history by becoming the first  to win their respective races in their first runs over traditional dirt; a victory by Peachtree Stable’s Plum Pretty in the richest running of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (GI); a remarkable and ongoing streak of five consecutive victories in graded stakes races by horses trained by Ken McPeek; an historic win over males in the $100,000 Louisville Handicap (GIII) by Barbara Hunter’s homebred Keertana; a glimpse at racing’s future stars in victories by Barry L. King’s Flashy Lassie in the $100,000-added Debutante (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies and Stoneway Farm’s Exfactor in the $100,000-added Bashford Manor (GIII); and the first race for horses of the Arabian breed ever conducted beneath the track’s venerable Twin Spires.

The tornado that ripped through the Churchill Downs backside on June 22 resulted in the cancellation of racing the following day – a rare cancellation of an entire racing program at the track.  Despite damage that forced the evacuation of horses from six and a half barns for the rest of the meet and battered the track’s backside chapel, no humans or horses were injured in the storm that the National Weather Service said packed top winds of 105 miles per hour and was rated F1 on the Fujita scale.  Racing resumed at the track with a “Downs After Dark” night racing program on Friday, June 24, and the 6 p.m. (EDT) first race went off just shy of 48 hours after the storm hit the track.  National Weather Service records indicate it was the first tornado to hit Churchill Downs since an unusual January storm took a similar path through the property in 1928.

“This Spring Meet will long be memorable for milestones and memories highlighted by Derby Day attendance that surpassed a record that had had been untouched for nearly 40 years, but the response by our community, our horsemen and our team in the aftermath of the June 22 tornado was an unexpected example of what makes Churchill Downs so very special,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs.  “In the minutes and hours after the unexpected storm, people from every area of this track joined together to ensure the safety and well-being of every horse and individual touched by the storm.  The support offered by the many public service agencies, headed by the Louisville Fire Department, and people throughout our industry and community was incredibly gratifying.

“In terms of business, it was a very strong meet kicked off by the first ‘Opening Night’ celebration for the Spring Meet and Derby Week – a night so successful it became an instant part of Kentucky Derby tradition.  The continued strength and growth of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, with the growing ‘Taste of Derby’ celebration and the continuing Kentucky Oaks fundraising partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure©, is tremendously exciting.  And ‘Downs After Dark’ night racing continues to be one of our industry’s shining success stories.  Churchill Downs continues to operate in competitive business climate and the playing field on which we face our top competitors is far from level, but our team continues to strive for innovative ways to attract fans and horses in an effort to keep our track at the forefront of American racing now and in the future.”

The brightest of the Spring Meet’s highlights came, as usual, on the first Saturday in May when 164,858 fans witnessed the Kentucky Derby victory by Animal Kingdom.  The attendance figure surpassed the previous standard of 163,628 established at the Centennial Derby in 1974.  The race provided the first victories in America’s greatest race for owner/breeder Team Valor International, trainer H. Graham Motion and jockey John Velazquez.   Wagering at Churchill Downs on the full Kentucky Derby Day race card, was $23.4 million, an increase of 9.0 percent over 2010's on-track wagering total of $21.5 million.  On-track wagering on the Derby race was $11.5 million, an increase of 4.2 percent over the $11.1 million wagered one year earlier.

All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby card was $165.2 million, the third-highest in Derby history and an increase of 1.5 percent over the prior year's $162.7 million. All-sources handle on the Derby race itself as $112.0 million, flat with 2010's $112.7 million.

The spectacular Kentucky Derby Day was preceded by another successful renewal of the Kentucky Oaks, which attracted a crowd of 110,122, the third-largest in history, that watched Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert earn his second victory in America’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies with Peachtree Stable’s Plum Pretty.  The Atlanta-based Peachtree Stable partnership and jockey Martin Garcia earned their first Oaks wins.

On-track Kentucky Oaks guests, many adorned in pink for the Oaks’ third annual “Pink Out” to support breast cancer awareness, wagered $12.1 million on the full Oaks Day race card, which was an increase of 2.1 percent over 2010's on-track total of $11.9 million. On-track wagering on the Oaks race was $3.0 million, an increase of 7.4 percent over the $2.8 million wagered one year earlier.  All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Oaks card set a record of $37.5 million, an increase of 4.2 percent over the prior year's 36.0 million. All-sources handle on the Oaks race itself was $11.4 million, up 8.2 percent over 2010's $10.6 million.

This spring’s Kentucky Derby and Oaks Week activities again provided a significant financial boost to national and local charities.

The third year of the Kentucky Oaks partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure raised $110,122 for the work of the world’s largest breast cancer outreach and funding organization.  Since the start of the partnership with Komen for the Cure in 2009, $328,468 has been raised for breast cancer research.

Another $30,000 was generated on Oaks Day for Horses and Hope, the breast cancer outreach initiative in Kentucky’s horse industry headed by First Lady Jane Beshear that has now received $90,000 over three years through its Oaks fundraising partnership.  And ‘Taste of Derby,’ the Derby Week celebration of racing life and food from racing cities held for the second consecutive year at the Mellwood Arts Center, generated $20,000 for Dare to Care, a Louisville food bank that has served needy residents since 1971.

The first ‘Opening Night’ under Churchill Downs’ permanent lights to kick off the Spring Meet and Derby Week proved an immediate and rousing success when 38,142 fans flocked to the track on Saturday, April 30.  The attendance was the highest in Churchill Downs’ three years of night racing and set an attendance record for a non-Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks or Breeders’ Cup World Championships racing program.

“Downs After Dark” racing on the meet’s final three Friday evening programs provided strong evidence that the region continues to embrace the unique night racing experience presented by Churchill Downs.  The first “Downs After Dark” session of 2011 on June 17 attracted 23,332, and attendance grew to 25,523 on June 24.  The meet’s final “Downs After Dark” program on July 1 was its largest at 27,787.

Churchill Downs continued to offer horses and patrons strong and competitive fields of horses in each age and gender division.  There were 3,265 starters in the meet’s 408 races for an average of 7.99 starters per race, which was an increase from the 2010 average of 7.75 horses in 439 races during a 42-day Spring Meet.

The strength of wagering over Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks weekend contributed to a pair of purse increases implemented during the meet.  The first was a 10 percent increase in overnight purses effective on Thursday June 9.  That increase was followed by a 15 jump in overnight purses for the final three weeks of the meet that went into effect on June 16.  Racing on Thursday, June 23 was cancelled because of tornado damage, but eight of that day’s scheduled nine races were made up during the meet’s closing weekend.

In the meet’s “human races,” jockey Julien Leparoux rode a torrid hot streak over the meet’s final three weeks to erase a large lead held by Corey Lanerie to earn the Spring Meet riding title.  It was the eighth Churchill Downs riding crown for the 27-year-old Leparoux and his fourth Spring Meet title for the 27-year-old native of Senlis France.  The final margin was 53-47 for Leparoux, who also collected his 500^th career victory at Churchill Downs during the meet’s final weekend, becoming just the 10^th rider to achieve that milestone.

Shaun Bridgmohan finished third in the jockey race with 36 wins and 2010 Spring Meet win leader Calvin Borel was next with 33.

The race for the leading trainer of the meet came down its final furlong of the last of the meet’s 408 races.  Steve Asmussen held off McPeek and Eddie Kenneally by an 18-17 margin to earn his fifth consecutive training title and his tenth overall. Peter Callaghan’s Ballyclough, trained by McPeek, led with an eighth of a mile remaining in the meet finale, but finished third to Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Windswept.

Athough McPeek fell short in his bid a title, he ended the meet on one of the most notable streaks in Churchill Downs history.  McPeek has saddled the winner in his last five graded stakes races at the track, a streak that will carry over to the Fall Meet that begins Oct. 30.  His winners included the Dogwood (GIII) with Salty Strike, the Aristides (GIII) with Noble’s Promise, the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) with My Baby Baby, the Matt Winn (GIII) with Scotus and the Regret (GIII) with Bizzy Caroline.

The victory by the appropriately-named Windswept in the meet’s last race was a fitting finale for trainer Steve Margolis, whose barn 23 was the structure most severely damaged by the tornado 2 ½ weeks earlier.  Margolis ended the meet with 11 wins, good for seventh in the overall standings.

While familiar faces swept the leading rider and trainer titles, newcomer Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc., owned by Richard and Karen Papiese, sent out eight winners to collect its first “leading owner” title at Churchill Downs.  Seventeen-time leading owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey tied with Jay Em Ess Stable of Mace and Samantha Siegel for the runner-up spot with six wins, while the partnership of trainer Merrill Scherer, Dan Lynch and Ken Sentel won five races.

Along with the record attendance for the Kentucky Derby and the Spring Meet “Opening Night” celebration, and the first-on-dirt wins in the Derby by Animal Kingdom and the Stephen Foster, other Spring Meet “firsts” in the meet included:

• Keertana’s victory in the 74^th running Louisville Handicap, which had been run over various surfaces and distances since its initial running in 1895.  The Tom Proctor-trained 5-year-old mare became to the first of her gender to win the Louisville in any of its previous forms and earned the win in a dramatic three-horse photo-finish over Bearpath and Guys Reward.
• Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan won the $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap Presented by GE (GII) on the meet’s closing day.  It was his first race on grass in 10 career starts. The one-mile race has been run on grass in 19 of its 21 runnings and the Charles Lopresti-trained Wise Dan became the first horse to win the Firecracker without a previous race on turf.
• Sam Vasquez’s T M Fred Texas became the first winner of an Arabian race at Churchill Downs when when he won Grade I, $52,500 President of the United Arab Emirates Cup by 9 ¼ lengths June 18.  The race was part of a one-year partnership with Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Equestrian Federation. The Arabian race was one of five stakes events offered on Stephen Foster Day presented by Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.        

 Racing returns to Churchill Downs on Sunday, Oct. 30 for the 122^nd Fall Meet, a 21-day stand that will be highlighted by the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to the track on Nov. 4 and 5

POOL PLAY WORKS, FLAT OUT POINTS TO BREEDERS CUP AFTER NEW YORK ROMP – William S. Farish Jr.’s Pool Play worked on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in his first serious training move since his upset victory in the 30^th running of the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I).

The 6-year-old son of Silver Deputy breezed five furlongs under regular exercise rider Melanie Giddings in 1:03 over a fast main track for trainer Mark Casse.

“We just wanted him to go nice and easy,” said assistant trainer Norman Casse, the son of the Woodbine-based trainer. “Everything went fine.”

Pool Play, whose Stephen Foster came in his debut over a traditional dirt surface, will likely have one more work beneath the Twin Spires before he heads to New York for the summer.

“We’ll give him another easy one (work) before going to Saratoga,” Casse said. “The plan right now is to ship (to Saratoga) on the tenth (of July) and work him a day before (on July 9). We’ll save the big works for when we get him up there.”

Bred in Canada by Windfields Farm, Pool Play has a career record of 6-6-5 from 28 starts with earnings of $909,556. He will be pointed to the Whitney Handicap (GI) at Saratoga on Aug. 6, with the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 being the ultimate year-end goal.

Pool Play defeated an impressive group of older horses in the Stephen Foster that included Preston Stables LLC’s Flat Out, who traveled to New York on Saturday for a 6 ½-length romp in Belmont Park Park’s Suburban Handicap (GII) in his first start since his fifth-place run in the Foster.

"I think it proves how good the Stephen Foster field was this year,” Casse said. “It also further showed just how big Pool Play ran.”

Flat Out, a 5-year-old son of Flatter, received a Beyer Speed Figure of 113 for his demolition of his Suburban rivals.  That is the highest Beyer recorded this year for a race on traditional dirt at a mile or farther.

"We are really proud of him,” trainer Scooter Dickey said. “We really thought he would run well, but didn’t know he would whoop ‘em like that.”

Flat Out, who shipped to Dickey’s stable at Monmouth Park following his victory in Saturday’s Suburban, is also being pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“We still don’t know just how good he is,” Dickey said. “I talked to the owner and we decided we’ll find out how good he is in the Breeders’ Cup.”

Bred in Florida by Nikolaus Bock, Flat Out has a career record of 4-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $359,713. No decision has been made regarding his next start.   Flat Out has been plagued by quarter cracks that have limited in racing and training over the past two years, but his feet are fine right now.

“There are a lot of options,” Dickey said. “I think we’ll look to run him at either Saratoga or Monmouth, but we really haven’t discussed it much.”

BOREL, LANERIE SIZZLE WITH LEPAROUX OUT OF TOWN AND JOCKEY RACE TIGHTENS – Leading jockey Julien Leparoux traveled to New York on Saturday for a successful raid on Belmont Park and a victory aboard George Bolton and Stonestreet Stable’s The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII) runner-up Dominus in the Grade II Dwyer.

But if Leparoux was keeping track of happenings back home in Louisville, the seven-time leading rider at Churchill Downs witnessed fireworks by Calvin Borel and a flurry of wins by Corey Lanerie, his closest pursuer in the battle for leading rider honors in Churchill Downs’ 38-day Spring Meet.

Borel, the three-time Kentucky Derby winner and three-time leading jockey at its home track, tallied five wins in Saturday’s 13 races.  The memorable was capped by a dazzling win aboard Stoneway Farm’s Exfactor in the 110^th running of the $100,000-added Bashford Manor (GIII) for 2-year-olds.

“It was an awesome day,” Borel said.  “I’m riding some good babies (2-year-olds) this year.  Even my brother, Cecil, has a good baby.  I think it’s going to be another good year.”

Cecil Borel trains Brown Eyed Jozi, an eight-length winner under Calvin Borel in the colt’s second career start at Churchill Downs on June 18.

Borel’s big day lifted his Spring Meet win total to 32, good for fourth place in the race for leading rider.

As Leparoux returned to Louisville to prepare for Sunday’s races, he should have been able to again feel Lanerie’s breath on his neck.  A blistering three-week hot streak by Leparoux had allowed the French-born rider to overcome what had one point had been an 11-win lead by Lanerie and surge to a seemingly comfortable six-win advantage in the race for top jockey.  But Lanerie, bidding for his first Churchill Downs riding crown, got out the gate quickly on Saturday with three wins in the day’s first four races.  That burst narrowed Leparoux’s lead to 49-46 with head-to-head competition over two days and 23 races remaining in the Spring Meet.

Leparoux was scheduled to ride in 10 of Sunday’s 12 races and has mounts in all 11 races on Monday’s closing day program.  Lanerie was set to ride in 11 races on Sunday and all but one of Monday’s races.

MCGEE AND JAY EM ESS STABLE: A WINNING COMBINATION – Louisville-native Paul McGee has enjoyed a long run of success for Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable since he started training for that California-based operation in the early 1990’s, and the ongoing 2011 Spring Meet has provided more of the same for the owner-trainer team.

McGee, who will celebrate his 49^th birthday on July 10, has saddled seven winners during the meet and six were owned by Jay Em Ess Stable. Two Jay Em Ess horses won Saturday when Shameless took Race 7 and Reserved Indian won the ninth.  Both winners were ridden by Calvin Borel.

“I’ve trained for the Siegels for a long time and they’re great people to train for,” McGee said.

McGee, who has 294 career wins beneath the Twin Spires, has trained several high-quality horses for the Siegels, including Miss Pickums and Suave. Miss Pickums, the dam of Shameless, won the Grade II Golden Rod at Churchill Downs in 2000 on her way to $376,809 in career earnings. Suave, a multiple graded stakes winner of over $1.3 million, captured Churchill Downs’ Grade III Northern Dancer (now the Matt Winn) and lost by a narrow head to Magna Graduate in the 2005 Clark Handicap, which was then a Grade II event.

Jay Em Ess Stable is currently second in the owner standings with six wins, two behind Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc., and will have their final starter of the Spring Meet with Ready to Taunt in Sunday’s eighth race, a maiden-special at 1 1/8-miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

“He was just second in the same race a few weeks ago (May 22) and so we’re running him right back,” McGee said. “He should have a good shot.”

It will be the fourth start for the 3-year-old gelded son of More Than Ready, who debuted in June of 2010 at Churchill Downs on the main track. Following a 10-month layoff, Ready to Taunt ran third in a $50,000 maiden claiming race on Keeneland’s Polytrack prior to his runner-up effort on the Matt Winn Turf Course at Churchill Downs.

Sunday’s eighth race has a post time of 4:25 p.m. and Ready to Taunt, who will be ridden by Corey Lanerie, is 6-1 on the morning line.

WISE DAN A ‘GO’ FOR TURF DEBUT IN MONDAY’S FIRECRACKER ‘CAP – With just over 24 hours to go before the turf debut of Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan in Monday’s $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap Presented by GE (GII), trainer Charles Lopresti reported that all systems were “go” for what could be a pivotal race for his veteran stakes winner.

Wise Dan tuned up for his turf bow last Tuesday when he worked four furlongs in :48.80 around the dogs on the Matt Winn Turf Course in his first experience on grass.  On the same day Preston Stables LLC’s Flat Out, who dominated his foes in Saturday’s Suburban Handicap (GII) on at Belmont Park, breezed a half-mile over the same surface in :50.20.

“He’s doing good,” Lopresti said by telephone from Lexington on Sunday.  “He came out of that breeze good and his blood work is good.  It just depends on whether he likes the grass or not.

A Firecracker victory by Wise Dan would make him the first horse in its 19 renewals on grass to win the one-mile test for 3-year-olds and up without the benefit of a previous race on grass.  The quality of last week’s work over the Matt Winn Turf Course encouraged Lopresti to think that the homebred son of Wiseman’s Ferry possesses the ability to be a major factor in the race.

“Everybody told me that it was really a phenomenal work,” Lopresti said.  “I was watching up in the clocker’s stand and down the backside he (Wise Dan) didn’t know what he was doing at first.  It was like, ‘What am I supposed to be doing on this thing?’  Then when he hit the half-mile pole and went around the turn, I saw Jon lower down and he said he kicked it for home.

"Jon said he eased him up, because I didn’t want him to do too much with him.  I kind of like my outside post, and it wouldn’t bother me if we got a little rain because there was a good cut in the course the other day when he worked.”

Wise Dan has a record of 4-0-0 in nine races, with his biggest win to date coming in last fall’s Phoenix (GIII) at six furlongs over synthetic Polytrack at Keeneland.  He followed that effort with a good sixth place finish in which he finished fewer than three lengths behind the victorious Big Drama in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) at Churchill Downs.

He is 0-for-3 in 2011, but has a pair of good fourth-place finishes in tough races this season.  He ran fourth to Dogwood Stable’s Aikenite in the Commonwealth (GII) at Keeneland and that rival returned to win the seven-furlong, $300,000 Churchill Downs (GII) on Kentucky Derby Day in his next outing.  After an eighth-place run in his first attempt at a two-turn distance in the 1 1/16-mile Alysheba (GIII) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, Wise Dane rebounded with a good fourth-place finish in a seven-furlong allowance race on dirt at the Louisville track.  That stakes-quality race was won by multiple stakes winner Native Ruler and the runner-up was two-time Grade I winner General Quarters, the morning line favorite for Monday’s Firecracker.

The change in surface is a bit of a gamble by Lopresti, but a good run by Wise Dan will present new options for the 4-year-old gelding’s future.

“If he likes the grass, that’ll be good,” Lopresti said.  “It will be a pivotal race.  We’ll just figure out where to go from there.”

The field for the Grade II, $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap Presented by GE in post position order (with jockey, weight, and morning line odds) includes General Quarters (Jamie Theriot, 119, 3-1), Omniscient (Manoel Cruz, 113, 20-1), Mister Marti Gras (Shaun Bridgmohan, 115, 5-1), El Caballo (Corey Lanerie, 114, 9-2), Mystic (Jesus Castanon, 114, 12-1), Joshua Reynolds (Brian Hernandez Jr., 114, 30-1), Baryshnikov (Julien Leparoux, 117, 4-1), Plutonium (James Lopez, 112, 30-1), Strike Impact (Robby Albarado, 117, 8-1), Wise Dan (Court, 115, 6-1) and Lubash (Kent Desormeaux, 115, 12-1).

Mister Marti Gras is expected to scratch from the race, a move that would move Wise Dan down to post position nine in the Firecracker starting gate.

BARN TALK – Corey Lanerie, who rode Courtlant Farms’ Power World to a runner-up effort in the Grade III Bashford Manor on Saturday at Churchill Downs, hopped on a plane to Louisiana after that race to ride Brittlyn Stables Inc.’s Star Guitar in the $100,000 Louisiana Showcase Classic at Evangeline Downs for trainer Al Stall Jr.  Star Guitar won the race by 1 ¾ lengths at odds of 1-5. …

Leading rider Julien Leparoux recorded his 499^th Churchill Downs victory aboard Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s Raven Hawk in Friday’s eighth race for Steve Asmussen, the leading trainer of the Spring Meet. Leparoux will attempt to become just the tenth jockey to record 500 wins at Churchill Downs with one of his ten mounts Sunday (Races 1-6, 8-11). …

During the final two days of the Spring Meet, Churchill Downs will offer special all-day $1 Budweiser drafts and $1 hot dogs on the bricks of the paddock area to celebrate “Red, White, and Blues Weekend” Presented by GE. Also, there will be live blues music on the paddock stage between races each day from 2-6 p.m. V-Groove will play Sunday and Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons are set to perform on closing day, Monday, July 4. …

The 3^rd Annual Horsemen’s Golf Scramble at Glenmary’s Country Club on Monday, Aug. 29. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the cost is $100 per player with four players to a team. Lunch will also begin at 11 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Those interested may pick up a form from The Backside Learning Center and return it by Friday, Aug. 12.

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockey over the last five racing days (June 25-July 2) is Calvin Borel (10-for-32). Bill Mott (4-for-8), Mike Maker (4-for-11) and Eddie Kenneally (4-for-13) are the hottest trainers over the same period. Mace and Samantha Siegel’s Jay Em Ess Stable (3-for-3) are the hottest owners.

WORKTAB – Ed Few’s Lil Cherokee, who won the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sale Futurity at Lone Star Park in his second career start, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 on a fast track under Brian Hernandez Jr. on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Bret Calhoun. Lil Cherokee, a 2-year-old son of Cherokee Run, was scratched from Saturday’s Grade III Bashford Manor after the earlier scratch of Laurie’ Rocket placed him in the number one post for the race. “He’s perfectly healthy,” assistant trainer Dennis Geier said on Saturday.  “We just didn’t like the post.”

Dr. Joseph Witek’s homebred Joes Blazing Aaron breezed four furlongs in :51.80 on the main track for trainer Mike Maker on Sunday morning. A 3-year-old gelded son of Graeme Hall, Joes Blazing Aaron, who won the Palm Beach (GIII) at Gulfstream Park in March, was fourth in his most recent start, a 1 1/16-mile allowance race that was taken off the Matt Winn Turf Course because of rain and run over a “good” main track beneath at Churchill Downs on June 19.

WEATHER – Sunday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 91. Monday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 89. Tuesday: mostly sunny, 88. Wednesday: mostly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 88. Thursday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 89. Friday: mostly sunny, 89. Saturday: mostly sunny, 89.

FAWKES EXPECTS DUKE OF MISCHIEF BE TROUBLE FOR FOSTER OPPONENTS - A start in Saturday’s Grade I Stephen Foster Presented by Abu Dhabi was not the original plan for Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Marilyn McMaster and Fawkes Racing, Inc.’s Duke of Mischief, but everything changed following a sharp work at Calder Race Course on June 4.

“The race on our radar was the Cornhusker (Grade III at Prairie Meadows on June 25),” trainer David Fawkes said. “He’s been training extra good though and so we decided to bring him here. The work on June 4 (five furlongs at Calder) was great. He went :59.60 and galloped out in about 1:12. You don’t go 1:12 at Calder unless you can really, really run. If they work good over that track then they usually run good (in the afternoon).”

Duke of Mischief, a 5-year-old son of Graeme Hall, will enter the Stephen Foster off a 2 ¼-length win in the Grade III, $1 million Charles Town Classic on April 16.  Fawkes’ veteran defeated a strong field that included runner-up Game on Dude, who would return to finish third in the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII), and third-place Tizway, who came back to win the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park in his next start.

"I think everyone thought they were going to get an easy field (in the Charles Town Classic), but that’s not what happened,” Fawkes said. “I think every horse in that race was a graded stakes winner. It was a very tough race.”

Duke of Mischief arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday afternoon and the Stephen Foster will be his third start over the Louisville track. He was previously eighth in last year’s running of the Stephen Foster won by Blame and was fifth in the Clark Handicap (GI) won by Foster rival Giant Oak.

“He’s doing really well and hopefully he has more success here this time than he’s had in the past,” Fawkes said.

The Stephen Foster field (with jockey, weight and morning line odds) from the rail out includes: Flat Out (Corey Lanerie, 114, 30-1), Crown of Thorns (Tyler Baze, 121, 4-1), Apart (Julien Leparoux, 118, 5-1), Worldly (Manoel Cruz, 113, 30-1), El Caballo (James Graham, 115, 15-1), Regal Ransom (Alan Garcia, 117, 6-1), Equestrio (Jose Lezcano, 116, 12-1), Pool Play (Miguel Mena, 116, 20-1), Duke of Mischief (Joe Bravo, 118, 6-1), Giant Oak (Shaun Bridgmohan, 122, 7-2) and Mission Impazible (Javier Castellano, 118, 9-2).

AFTER BLAME’S FOSTER, THIS YEAR’S MODEL IS DIFFERENT FOR STALL – After winning last year’s $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap with Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Blame, trainer Al Stall Jr. is back with Dilschneider’s Apart to bid for a second straight triumph in the race.

The two horses have many similarities: both carry Dilschneider’s gray silks with blue cross sashes, both horses came into the Foster off prep wins in the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (GIII) at Pimlico, each earned stakes wins at Churchill Downs the previous fall (Blame in the then Grade II Clark Handicap, Apart in the Grade III Ack Ack), both came into their respective Fosters as 4-year-olds and both are homebred sons of Claiborne stallions (Blame is by Arch, while Flatter is the sire of Apart).

But several things need to occur before a comparison between Blame and Apart can be taken any further.  Blame scored a dazzling victory in Foster that established Stall’s colt as one of the top older horses in America, a status that was validated in the fall when he outlasted Horse of the Year Zenyatta in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) over the same track to earn the Eclipse Award for America’s top older horse.

Apart, on the other hand, enters the Foster as a colt with a solid resume highlighted by a Grade II win in the Super Derby and a pair of Grade III victories.  But Stall’s 2010 Stephen Foster with Blame was a race of fulfilled expectations, while this year’s run by Apart can be more accurately described as a race of opportunity.

“I’m way more relaxed (than last year),” Stall said Friday as he watched Apart stand in a backstretch starting gate at Churchill Downs.  “It’s been like that every time we’ve run him this year.  It’s been very comfortable.  We just get him in a race, get him over there and run and see what happens.  With Blame we were all nervous all the time, thinking of what would be.”

Apart’s victory in the Schaefer snapped a four-race losing streak that began last year at Churchill Downs  in an eighth-place behind Giant Oak in the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GI), a roughly run race after which he was elevated to seventh by stewards because of the action within that 11-horse field.  All of Apart’s races this year have been good, including three outings at New Orleans’ Fair Grounds: runner-up finishes in the New Orleans (GII) and Louisiana Handicaps and a third in the Mineshaft Handicap (GIII).

While that record is well short of perfect, Stall believes Apart is a better horse than he was last fall, but the Foster will go a long way toward answering the question of just where the bay colt fits in this year’s wide-open division of American older horses.

“There’s no question he’s a better horse (than last year),” Stall said.  “His pedigree says he’ll get better with age.  It’s nothing we’re doing.  We’re just throwing oats at him and letting him develop on his own.  We’re spacing his races and trying to keep him going forward.

“This race will dictate where he goes: high road, low road or middle road.  He’s a race-to-race horse.  We have no plan for him.  He’s just got to earn his way to wherever he goes next.”

One encouraging fact for Stall is Apart’s record at Churchill Downs, where he is 2-1-0 in five races that include his Ack Ack win.  His lone poor outing at the track was last fall’s Clark, but Stall said the colt had an excuse that day – one he attributes to trainer error.

“He was sick,” Stall said.  “He’s legit – he just doesn’t throw a clunker for no reason.  He had been sick a little bit before the race, and we thought after two or three days it had run its course.  … But he survived it.”

Julien Leparoux will ride Apart, who will break from post three in the 11-horse field for the 1 1/8-mile Foster.  The consistent colt’s overall career record stands at 5-3-1 in 12 races with earnings of $640,018.

REGRET A PIVOTAL RACE FOR GAYA – AMOSS’S ‘ZENYATTA’ – When the field of eight 3-year-old fillies breaks from the gate in Saturday’s 42^nd running of the $125,000-added Regret Presented by Etihad Airways (GIII) on the Matt Winn Turf Course, trainer Tom Amoss will focus his gaze on the back of the pack.

Amoss exactly where Harris Thoroughbreds LLC’s Gaya, the filly he is most interested in, will be during that first run down the stretch in the 1 1/8-mile race.

“She is a deep closer,” Amoss said.  “I kiddingly – kiddingly – refer to her as my Zenyatta, because she closes so exceptionally well.  She is so far back she looks hopelessly beat.”

The gray daughter of Quest brings a three-race winning streak into the Regret that includes a maiden win and allowance victory at Fair Grounds, followed by a one-mile allowance win over a yielding course at Indiana Downs on May 21.  The Regret will be Gaya’s stakes debut, although that milestone comes later than Amoss had hoped."

She was entered to run in the stake Derby Weekend here at Churchill (the Edgewood), but she got sick,” Amoss said.  “That was obviously a huge disappointment to us.  But in terms of the Regret, it’s a mile and an eighth and I think that will suit her very well.”

The Regret field is headed by Kathmanblu, a stakes winner on turf and dirt who finished a troubled third to More Than Real in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) last fall at Churchill Downs.  The field also includes Edgewood winner Diva Ash; Bouquet Booth, a stakes winner on dirt in the Delta Princess (GIII) and Silverbulletday; and Excited and Blushandbashful, the 1-3 finishers in the recent Hilltop Stakes on the turf on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico.

With that group of accomplished rivals awaiting her, the race should tell Amoss much about his filly.

“Tomorrow is going to decide if she’s a legitimate horse or not,” Amoss said.  “At this point we don’t know if she’s a legitimate horse.  Tomorrow’s race has a very good field and we’ll find out if we have just a good allowance horse, or a horse that can maybe be competitive in bigger races throughout the summer.”

Gaya, who will break from post seven under jockey James Graham, has a record of 3-2-0 in six races with earnings of $87,601.

The field for the Regret, from the hedge out (with jockey, weight), includes: Bizzy Caroline (Manoel Cruz, 116), Diva Ash (Robby Albarado, 116), Bouquet Booth (Shaun Bridgmohan, 118), Holidaysatthefarm (Jose Lezcano, 116), Kathmanblu (Julien Leparoux, 122), Excited (Javier Castellano, 116), Gaya (James Graham, 118) and Blushandbashful (Freddie Lenclud, 116).

ARABIAN RACE WILL BE NOTHING NEW FOR RACE-CALLER JOHNSON – To say that Churchill Downs track announcer Mark Johnson has experience calling Arabian races would be an understatement. The 45-year-old native of Lincolnshire, England has definitely called his fair share of Arabians during his years as a track announcer.

“I was the track announcer for all Arabian races in England for about 18 years,” Johnson said. “I was also the Racing Post’s Arabian correspondent for the same length of time.”

Johnson has not called an Arabian race for a couple of years, but will get the opportunity to in Saturday’s Grade I, $50,000-added The President of United Arab Emirates Cup, the first Arabian race in the history Churchill Downs.

“I am immensely excited,” Johnson said. “It will be a great spectacle and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Some people who are more familiar with Thoroughbred racing may overlook The President of United Arab Emirates Cup on a card that features four graded stakes races for Thoroughbreds.  But Johnson says the Arabian race, scheduled as the day’s sixth event, is loaded with quality horses.

"It’s a Grade I race and a couple of the best Arabian horses in the country will be running,” Johnson said. “Dixies Valentine is at the top of the distaff division and Grilla is probably the best long-distance Arabian in America.”

Bill Waldron’s Grilla will be ridden by an Arabian-specialist in Bill Hollick, but Calvin Borel, winner of three runnings of the Kentucky Derby, will take the mount aboard Dixies Valentine. In fact, all horses but Grilla and T M Fred Texas will be ridden by riders in the Churchill Downs jockey colony.

"I’ve ridden a few of them and it’s not completely different,” Borel said. “They’re a little bit smaller and go slower (than Thoroughbreds), but at the end of the day it’s still a horse race.”

Leading rider at the meet Corey Lanerie will be aboard Cre Run Enterprises LLC’s Ovour the Top.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Lanerie said. “I think it’s going to be fun. Maybe I’ll win the second Grade I of my career.”

Lanerie’s first and only Grade I win came aboard Hooh Why in the 2009 Ashland at Keeneland.

The field for The President of United Arab Emirates Cup for Arabians, 4-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles on the main track from the rail out (with jockey, weight): T M Fred Texas (Santos Chavez, 118), Dixies Valentine (Borel, 118), Another Color (Constantino Roman, 123), Ovour the Top (Lanerie, 118), Crownn Royal (Brian Hernandez Jr., 123), Vip (Aldo Canchano, 118), Wodkka (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 123) and Grilla (Hollick, 123).

DREAM WARRIOR MAKES STAKES DEBUT IN JEFFERSON CUP - Anthony Chok’s Dream Warrior, who will make his stakes debut in Saturday’s $100,000-added Jefferson Cup Presented by Abu Dhabi (GIII), has not always shown the signs of being a stakes-caliber horse.

He was purchased at the 2009 Keeneland September Sale for $1,000, which is the minimum price a horse may be sold for at Keeneland, and finished ninth and seventh in his first two career starts.

Dream Warrior was placed on the turf for his third start and his debut on the new surface was a winning one, drawing away by over four lengths in a maiden special at Calder Race Course last October. He followed that win with a disappointing eighth-place finish in a Calder allowance, but rebounded to take an allowance over Churchill Downs’ Matt Winn Turf Course on May 20. It was after that race that the Eddie Kenneally barn began to believe that Dream Warrior was a horse with stakes potential.

“He kind of surprised in his last race with how well he ran,” said Brendan Walsh, assistant trainer and exercise rider for Kenneally. “He really ran a nice race. He’s been training great since then and I expect him to run well Saturday.”

Dream Warrior has had two works over the main track at Churchill Downs in preparation for a start in the Jefferson Cup. His most recent work – a half-mile move over a fast track :47.60 on June 10 –  was the fastest four furlong effort of 60 at the distance.

The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus has a record of 2-0-0 from five starts with earnings of $49,264. Corey Lanerie, the Spring Meet’s leading rider, will be aboard Dream Warrior in the Jefferson Cup.

The field for the Jefferson Cup, from the hedge out (with jockey, weight), includes: Live In Joy (Manoel Cruz, 117), Redboard (Leandro Goncalves, 117), Dream Warrior (Lanerie, 117), Banned (Jose Lezcano, 121), Swagger Jack (James Graham, 117), Perregaux (Robby Albarado, 117), Benergy (Javier Castellano, 117) and Great Mills (Julien Leparoux, 117).

Note: Live in Joy (5^th), Swagger Jack (6^th) and Great Mills (10^th) competed in Wednesday night’s $200,000 Oliver Stakes at Indiana Downs and are unlikely to start Saturday.

ILLINOIS DERBY WINNER EXPECTED TO START IN MATT WINN – Zayat Stables LLC’s Joe Vann, who won the Grade III Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park prior to finishing fourth in the Peter Pan (GII) at Belmont Park in his most recent start, is expected to run in Saturday’s $125,000 Matt Winn Presented by Emirates Equestrian Federation (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

Although he was entered Wednesday for the Matt Winn, the Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-old son of Silver Deputy was also being considered for the Iowa Derby (GIII) next Saturday at Prairie Meadows.

“As of right now, we are still running (in the Matt Winn),” assistant trainer Michael McCarthy said Friday morning.

Joe Vann shipped in from Belmont last week and had his first work over the Churchill Downs track June 12. He covered five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01.40, which was the eighth fastest of 41 workers at the same distance that morning.

A start with Joe Vann in the Matt Winn (Race 10) would give the Pletcher barn a chance to sweep the late, stakes triple Saturday. Michael Tabor’s Excited will run in the Grade III Regret (Race 11) and Twin Creeks Racing Stable LLC’s Mission Impazible will start in the Grade I Stephen Foster (Race 12).

The Matt Winn field, from the rail out (with jockey, weight), includes: Alstom (Calvin Borel, 116), Infrattini (Corey Lanerie, 116), Wilburn (Mike Smith, 116), Supreme Ruler (Jon Court, 116), Uncle Brent (Manoel Cruz, 120), Chalice (Julien Leparoux, 116), Scotus (Alan Garcia, 116) and Joe Vann (Javier Castellano, 120).

BARN TALK – Nominations for the 110^th running of the Grade III, $100,000-added Bashford Manor for 2-year-olds at six furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs will close Saturday. The Bashford Manor, which is scheduled to be run Saturday, July 2, was won last year by Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Kantharos under Robby Albarado for trainer Steve Asmussen. …

Nominations for the 21^st running of the Grade II, $175,000-added Firecracker Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile on the Matt Winn Turf Course will close Saturday. The Firecracker Handicap, which is scheduled to be run on Monday, July 4, was won last year by Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu under Jesus Castanon for trainer Greg Fox. …

Donegal Racing’s O’Prado Again, a 2-year-old son of El Prado-IRE who was purchased for $350,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, will make his first start in Saturday’s seventh race for trainer Dale Romans. Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing named the colt in honor of the recently retired Paddy O’Prado, a Grade I winner with more than $1.7 million in career earnings. …

To Honor and Serve’s 4-year-old half-brother named Dream Steeler will make his debut in Saturday’s eighth race for trainer Mike Maker and owner Twin Creeks Farm. To Honor and Serve, a 3-year-old son of Bernardini, was a multiple Grade II winner at 2-years-old and was on the 2011 Kentucky Derby trail before being sidelined with a strain to the suspensory ligament of his left foreleg. …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockeys over the last five racing days (June 9-16) are Corey Lanerie (8-for-36), Julien Leparoux (7-for-20) and Manoel Cruz (6-for-27). Tom Amoss (4-for-6) and Mike Maker (3-for-8) are the hottest trainers over the same period. The hottest owners are Brereton C. Jones (2-for-2), A.L. Luedtke (2-for-2), Maggi Moss (2-for-2) and Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey (2-for-5).

WORKTAB – Columbine Stable’s J.B.’s Thunder, who won the Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland before finishing ninth in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, worked four furlongs in :49.60 on a fast main track beneath the Twin Spires on Friday morning for trainer Al Stall Jr. 

W.S. Farish and Skara Glen Stables’ Close Ally worked four furlongs in :51.60 Friday morning for trainer Neil Howard. Close Ally finished second to Glen Hill Farm’s Banned in the Grade II American Turf Presented by Ram prior to a second place finish to Thirtyfirststreet in the $200,000 Lone Star Derby on May 30.

WEATHER – Friday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 87. Friday night: mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 72. Saturday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 89. Sunday: partly sunny and hot with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, 91. Monday: mostly sunny and hot, 95. Tuesday: mostly sunny and hot, 94. Wednesday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92. Thursday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 88.  

GIANT OAK NAMED HIGH WEIGHT FOR STEPHEN FOSTER - Dual Grade I winner Giant Oak has been assigned the high weight of 122 pounds by Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman for next Saturday’s 30^th running of the Grade I, $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

The Virginia H. Tarra Trust’s 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway recorded his first Grade I victory when he was promoted to first place following the disqualification of Successful Dan in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs last November. After a brief break, Giant Oak returned to in February to launch his 2011 campaign for Chicago-based trainer Chris Block with an impressive two-length victory in the Donn Handicap (GI) at Gulfstream Park. After finishing third as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade II New Orleans Handicap, Giant Oak would return to Churchill Downs for his most recent start, where he finished fifth, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Grade III Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables on Kentucky Oaks Day.

Spendthrift Farm LLC’s Crown of Thorns, who won the Grade II Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood Park in his most recent start, is rated one pound below Giant Oak at 121 pounds. Trained by Richard Mandella, the 6-year-old son of Repent finished second in four consecutive Grade I events between 2009 and 2010, including the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) at Santa Anita. Crown of Thorns is confirmed as a starter in the Stephen Foster and is scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Louisville on Tuesday.

Also scheduled to be on that flight from California on Tuesday is Donald Dizney’s First Dude, the narrow winner of the Alysheba who is third on the list of Foster weight assignments at 119 pounds. Trained by Bob Baffert, First Dude captured the first graded stakes victory of his career in the Alysheba and finishing second in last year’s Preakness (GI) and third in the Belmont Stakes (GI).

The 4-year-old son of Stephen Got Even has a career record of 3-5-4 from 16 starts with $1,142,140.

Other horses under consideration for a run in next Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap include A.U. Miner (trained by Clark Hanna, weighted at 114); Apart (Al Stall Jr., 118); Crown of Thorns (Mandella, 121); Duke of Mischief (David Fawkes, 118); First Dude (Baffert, 119); Giant Oak (Block, 122); Mission Impazible (Todd Pletcher, 118); and Regal Ransom (Saeed bin Suroor, 117).

A.U. MINER PUTS IN SHARP WORK FOR FOSTER BID – Don Benge’s A.U. Miner worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 Saturday morning prior to the renovation break over a “muddy” Churchill Downs track in final major training move prior to a bid for next Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap.

Jockey Calvin Borel, who will ride A.U. Miner in the Foster for trainer Clark Hanna, worked in company with Saintly Tale.  A. U Miner covered the distance in fractional splits of :13.20, :25.60, :37.40, and :49.40, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.20.

The work went very well today and I think he galloped out really strong,” Hanna said.

A.U. Miner was third in his most recent start, the Grade III Breeders’ Cup Marathon at Churchill Downs in November, a race in which he crossed the line in fourth-place, but was promoted to third following the disqualification of first-place finisher Prince Will I Am. The Kentucky-bred’s connections had hoped their luck would improve following their rough trip in the Marathon, but Hanna said the run of bad luck continued.

“He’s been battling some minor health issues since the Marathon,” Hanna said. “He had some knee issues and then a couple of foot problems. I think we’ve finally got him back on track though and we’re looking forward to running next Saturday (in the Foster).”

While hoping for a big run by A.U. Miner in the Foster, Hanna’s wish list for his veteran includes a least one more start for his veteran at Churchill Downs before the end of the year.

“The ultimate goal would be to bring him back in November for another run at the Breeders’ Cup Marathon,” Hanna said. 

Hanna’s veteran has a career record of 4-2-4 from 21 starts and earnings of $349,350.

STALL SAYS BIND WILL ‘RUN FREELY’ IN MATT WINN – After a pair of disappointing losses that following a spectacular racing debut at Fair Grounds, trainer Al Stall Jr. said Friday there would be a change of tactics for Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider’s Bind when he makes his stakes debut in the $125,000-added Matt Winn Stakes Presented by Emirates Equestrian Federation (GIII), a race formerly known as the Northern Dancer, on next Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day program.

The son of the Claiborne stallion Pulpit has fought his rider when he was restrained just off the lead in runner-up finishes allowance races at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs in his last two starts.  So Stall said Bind would be allowed to do what he wants to do in the 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn.

“We’re going to let him run like his old man,” said Stall.  “We’re going to let him bounce away from there and let him run freely.”

The most recent loss for Bind was his runner-up finish behind the 4-year-old Worldly in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on Kentucky Derby Day.  Worldly is now expected to compete in last week’s $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (GI), the headline event of four graded stakes events on that program.  Along with Bind’s clear resentment of attempted restraint by jockey Rosie Napravnik, Stall’s colt had to wait for running room in the stretch before he launched a bid that fell a half-length short of catching his older and more experienced rival.

“There’s no question in my mind that we were pounds better than him, but you can’t just go run around there with your head stuck straight up in the air,” Stall said.  “That’s two races in a row that he’s done the same thing, because we’ve been restraining him and he clearly doesn’t want any part of that.”

Bind will have a new rider for the Matt Winn, but Stall is not sure yet who that will be.

            The most recent work for Bind was a five-furlong move in 1:01 over Keeneland’s Polytrack course on June 5.  The work was the fastest of seven at the distance on that day.

“He’s something to behold when you watch him train,” Stall said.  “He’s an absolute man-child and he’s not quirky to deal with at all.  He’s beautiful to deal with and we just don’t know what’s happened in those two races, except maybe it’s from his sire.  So we’re not going to take the run away from him.  I honestly think this horse can click off ‘twelves’ (12-second furlongs), and I mean keep clicking them off, too.”

Stall said Claiborne and Dilschneider’s 3-year-old filly Might would get some rest after a disappointing fifth-place finish as the favorite in last week’s $100,000-added Dogwood (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

He said the sister to 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Blame came out of the race well and her poor effort in her stakes debut in the Dogwood could have been a case of asking too much of the filly after back-to-back victories at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs.

“Might has always had soft ankles,” Stall said.  “That’s why we slowed down on her.  Maybe in the heat of the battle they pinched her.  That’s the only think I could think of. “

Stall is hoping that rest will be the tonic for Might and will allow her to return later on to build on her otherwise successful year.

“I’m just going to try to quiet her down and make a fall run to try and get black-type on her,” Stall said.  “We most likely went to the well once too often.”

Other 3-year-olds known to be under consideration for the 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn include: Alstom (trained by D. Wayne Lukas); Dominus (Steve Asmussen); Infrattini (Paul McGee); Joe Vann (Todd Pletcher); and Uncle Brent (Lynn Whiting).

BOUQUET BOOTH POINTS TO REGRET FOLLOWING ‘GREAT’ WORK – Trainer Steve Margolis was unsure if Right Time Racing LLC’s Bouquet Booth would start in next Saturday’s Grade III, $125,000-added Regret Presented by Etihad Airways until she completed a five-furlong workout over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course on Thursday in a “bullet” time of 1:01.80.

“It was a really great work and she is definitely going to run (in the Regret) now,” Margolis said.

Shaun Bridgmohan, who is currently second in this meet’s jockey standings behind Corey Lanerie with 24 wins, was aboard for the workout.

“She worked really nicely,” Bridgmohan said. “She was very relaxed and really finished up well. Everything went perfectly.”

Bouquet Booth, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Flower Alley, was fifth, beaten 3 ¼-lengths, in the Kentucky Oaks (GI), last time out.  She will enter the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies on the Matt Winn Turf Course record of 3-1-1 in eight career races with earnings of $452,300.

Known horses under consideration the 42^nd running of Regret include: Bizzy Caroline (trained by Ken McPeek); Blushandbashful (John Terranova II); Bouquet Booth (Steve Margolis); Diva Ash (Dale Romans); Excited (Todd Pletcher); Gaya (Tom Amoss); Holidaysatthefarm (Tom Proctor); Kathmanblu (McPeek); My Phi Temper (Ronny Werner); and Sassy’s Dream (McPeek).

PROCTOR, BANNED LOOK TO KEEP ROLLING ON TURF IN JEFFERSON - Churchill Downs-based trainer Tom Proctor has already won stakes races on Churchill Downs’ Matt Winn Turf Course during the Spring meet with the history-making mare Keertana, who became the first of her gender to win the Grade III Louisville Handicap, and the impressive 3-year-old Banned in the Grade II American Turf Presented by Ram.

More good fortune on the grass for the 55-year-old Proctor could be just days away when send Banned out in search of another graded stakes triumph in the $100,000-added Jefferson Cup Presented by Abu Dhabi (GIII) on Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Foster was confident Glen Hill Farm’s 3-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy would run well in the Oaks Day race, and Banned more than justified that optimism.

“I thought he would win, but he really ran big that day,” Proctor said. “Although the race set up for him because they went very fast up-front. That will always make a horse look better.”

Proctor is pleased with Banned’s training since that win.  One more pre-Jefferson Cup work lies ahead.

“He’s been doing really well since that race,” Proctor said. “I plan on working him an easy five-eighths on Tuesday.”

Other 3-year-olds under consideration for Saturday’s 36^th running of Jefferson Cup include: Coolmore Lexington (GII) winner Derby Kitten (Mike Maker); Dream Warrior (Eddie Kenneally); Redboard (Garry Simms); Swagger Jack (Darrin Miller); and either Close Ally (Neil Howard) or Perregaux (Howard).

NOMINATIONS FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS’ FIRST ARABIAN RACE - Churchill Downs will hold its first Arabian race next Saturday as part of the undercard on Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi.

The Grade I, $50,000-added The President of United Arab Emirates Cup will be run at 1 ¼-miles and its nominees include: A Ladys Man (trained by Lynn Ashby); Another Color (Renee Lafleur); Crownn Royal (Ashby); Dixies Valentine (Tracy Nunley); Full of Fiesta (Greg Ketter); Grilla (Bill Waldron); Ovour the Top (Ashby); T M Fred Texas (Ronald Martino); Vip (Martino); and Wodkka (Lafleur).

Grilla won an earlier stop on the The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup tour at Keeneland.

VALID CITIZEN FIRST THREE-TIME WINNER OF SPRING MEET – Kenneth Dalton’s Valid Citizen is stabled at River Downs with trainer Matt Kordenbrock throughout the year, but he has made a home for himself this spring on the main track at Churchill Downs.

Valid Citizen won Friday’s fourth race to become the first three-time winner of the 2011 Spring Meet.

“That’s pretty cool,” Kordenbrock said.  “He’s an honest horse and we’ve really tried to pick our spots with him. He really likes this track and things have worked out.”

The milestone win by the 6-year-old son of Proud Citizen came on day 24 of the 39-day meet.  It was Kordenbrock’s fifth career victory at Churchill Downs, and he hopes Valid Citizen gets another chance to run.

“We’ve still got some time left,” he said.  “We will try and bring him back to get (win) number four.”

Bred in Kentucky by Oak haven Farm LLC, Valid Citizen has a career record of 9-5-5 from 35 starts with earnings of $120,294.

BARN TALK – The top six leading riders at Churchill Downs all won at least one race beneath the Twin Spires on Friday. Julien Leparoux, currently third in the standings, and Miguel Mena, sitting in fifth position, each won two races on the card, while leading-rider Corey Lanerie won three. …

Nominations for the 111^th running of the $100,000-added Debutante (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs close Saturday. The Debutante, which is scheduled to be run on the main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday, June 25, was won last year by Eldon Farm Equine, LLC’s Just Louise under Robby Albarado for trainer Dale Romans. …

Saturday’s 11-race program at Churchill Downs will include a Pick 6 carryover of $23,644. The Pick 6 begins with Race 6 at approximately 3:23 p.m. There will also be a Super High 5 carryover of $6,361. The Super High 5 will take place in the final race Saturday: Race 11 at 5:55 p.m. …

Sunday is the last chance of the spring for locals to win a $1,500 first prize and a coveted VIP trip to the Horseplayer World Series at The Orleans Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The cost to enter the final “Who’s the Champ?” Handicapping Contest is $25 (or 25,000 Twin Spires Club points) and it will take place in the Champions Club Lounge. …

WORKTAB – Five D Thoroughbreds and Wind River Stables’ Kathmanblu worked five furlongs on a “muddy” Churchill Downs track in 1:01.60 Saturday morning for trainer Ken McPeek. Kathmanblu is scheduled to make her next start in the Grade III, $125,000-added Regret Presented by ETIHAD Airways beneath the Twin Spires on June 18 as part of the Stephen Foster Day undercard.

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockeys over the last five racing days (June 3-10) are Julien Leparoux (9-for-32), Corey Lanerie (8-for-32) and Calvin Borel (7-for-24). Ken McPeek (3-for-11) and Steve Asmussen (3-for-14) are the hottest trainers over the same period. The hottest owners are Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (2-for-2), Maggi Moss (2-for-3), Stoneway Farm (2-for-3), and Charles E. Fipke (2-for-5).

WEATHER – Saturday: showers and thunderstorms, 89. Sunday: mostly sunny, 82. Monday: mostly sunny, 81. Tuesday: mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 85. Wednesday: partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 88. Thursday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 86. Friday: mostly sunny, 89.

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, will join with Churchill Downs to play a major role in one of the historic track’s most important racing days as the emirate will partner with the home of the Kentucky Derby as presenting sponsor for the star-studded Stephen Foster Day racing program on Saturday, June 18.

Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi features four graded stakes races for Thoroughbreds headed by the main event, the 30^th running of the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (Grade I).  The 12-race program also will feature the $50,000 The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup, a Grade I race for purebred Arabian horses that will be the first race for horses of that breed ever conducted at the world famous track.  The race is limited to 14 horses and will be run on the main track at 1 ¼ miles.

The President of the UAE Cup Series was established 20 years ago to promote and celebrate the Arabian breed internationally.  It was the first international racing series for Arabian horses and continues to be considered as the world’s premier racing series for the breed.

During the three decades since its first running in 1982, the Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi has grown to become one of America’s most important races for older horses.  Last year’s renewal was won by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s homebred Blame, who would return to Churchill Downs later in the year to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).

Blame was the fourth horse to take both the Stephen Foster and the Classic in the same year.  Others who completed that sweep were Black Tie Affair (1991), Awesome Again (1998) and Saint Liam (2005).  Black Tie Affair and Saint Liam won their respective renewals of the Stephen Foster on their way to year-end honors as Horse of the Year.  Two other horses that competed in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up also earned that year’s Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year in the same year: Mineshaft, who finished second to Perfect Drift in the 2003 Stephen Foster, and Curlin, who won the race as a 4-year-old in 2008 on his way to his second consecutive Horse of the Year award.

Other stakes races on the Churchill Downs racing schedule for Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi on Saturday, June 18, include:

• The 14^th running of the $125,000-added Matt Winn Presented by Emirates Equestrian Federation (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles,
• The 42^nd running of the $125,000-added Regret Presented by Etihad Airways (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf,
• And the 36^th running of the $100,000-added Jefferson Cup Presented by Abu Dhabi (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

The on-track celebration of Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi will include an opportunity for patrons to learn about life in the Emirate and enjoy Arabian hospitality by visiting the Abu Dhabi Experience Tent.  The tent, a collaborative effort of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi, will be located in the paddock area near Gate 18.  The Abu Dhabi Experience Tent has been visited by race goers around the world at tracks that include Britain’s Royal Ascot and Newmarket; Ireland’s The Curragh; and France’s Deauville.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will display its branded Formula 1 race car in the Churchill Downs paddock.  Visitors will have an opportunity to have photographs taken with the vehicle.

And patrons visiting Churchill Downs on Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dubai will have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes drawing that has a grand prize of a Five-Star trip to Abu Dhabi.

Post time for the first of 12 races on Stephen Foster Day Presented by Abu Dhabi will be 12:45 p.m. (ET).

CHURCHILL TRAINERS LIKE 1-2 DERBY RUNNERS IN THE BELMONT – Trainers based at historic Churchill Downs have had the opportunity to see many of the contenders for the 143^rd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (GI) up close and personal.

The top seven finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) will run in Saturday’s Belmont; three of which are based at Churchill Downs: Zayat Stables LLC’s Nehro (second), Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge’s Shackleford (fourth) and Tom Walters’ Santiva (sixth).  Also based at Churchill Downs is Donald Adam’s Prime Cut, third in the recent Peter Pan (GII) at Belmont Park.

After following the Triple Crown races and observing many of the Belmont contenders condition beneath the Twin Spires, many trainers on the Louisville track’s backstretch have made up their minds as to who will win the third jewel of the Triple Crown and the majority are thinking Animal Kingdom or Nehro.

“Animal Kingdom will win the Belmont,” trainer Paul McGee said. “I picked him in the Derby and the Preakness (GI) and I’m going to stick with him.”

Trainer Steve Margolis, who collected his 100^th win beneath the Twin Spires earlier in the meet, likes Animal Kingdom as well. “I’ll be rooting for Graham (Motion) and Animal Kingdom and I think he’ll win,” Margolis said. “But I also like Master of Hounds as a longshot possibility.”

“It’ll be a good race, but I don’t think anyone will beat Animal Kingdom,” trainer Scooter Dickey said.

Trainer Jimmy Baker, who has won with four of his 14 starters this meet, believes one of the favorites will cross the line first in the Belmont. “I like the favorites in the race,” Baker said. “Nehro will be fresh, Shackleford will be the pace and may hold on, and Animal Kingdom will be running at the end. One of those will win it.”

"How can you not like Animal Kingdom?,” said trainer Tom Amoss, who is currently tied with Dale Romans for second in the trainer standings with nine wins at the meet.

Trainer David Carroll is also in Animal Kingdom’s corner. “Animal Kingdom will win tomorrow (Saturday),” Carroll said.                                   

The other Belmont contender who has a lot of support on the Churchill Downs backstretch is Nehro.

“I like Shackleford and Animal Kingdom, but Nehro will be fresh and I think he’ll win,” trainer Bret Calhoun said.

Garry Simms, who has won with three of his ten starters this meet, also picked Nehro. “I hope Shackleford wins, but I’m going with (Steve) Asmussen’s horse (Nehro),” Simms said.

"I like Nehro and I think he’ll like the distance (1 ½-miles),” trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi said.

Trainer Dallas Stewart was one of the few trainers to not select Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, or Nehro. “I think a longshot is going to win,” Stewart said. “I just don’t know which one.”

Tom McCarthy, who will saddle General Quarters in Friday’s featured ninth race, was unsure of who will win Saturday.

“Anyone’s guess is as good as mine,” McCarthy said. “It’ll be a good race and we’ll just have to wait and see.”

CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN INJURED, PROBABLY OUT FOR THE YEAR – Rosemary A. Rauch and David Zell’s Capt. Candyman Can is expected to miss most or all of the remainder of the 2011 racing season after apparently suffering an injury during his third-place run behind Noble’s Promise in last week’s $100,000-added Aristides (GIII) at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Ian Wilkes said he’s not “100 percent” sure of the exact nature of the problem that has sent the 5-year-old gelded son of Candy Ride to the sidelines.  But Wilkes suspects that Capt. Candyman Can fractured his humerus bone in his left shoulder.  Capt. Candyman Can is due for a bone scan in a few days that should identify the exact injury.

Wilkes said the injury would knock Capt. Candyman Can out of training for “at least 90 days.”

The winner of the Grade I King’s Bishop at three, Capt. Candyman Can missed all of 2010 with a knee issue.  The Aristides was the fourth start of a 2011 campaign for Capt. Candyman Can that Wilkes had hoped would reach its climax in November in the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) at Churchill Downs.  He won his first two starts of the year and finished a close fourth to Aikenite in the Churchill Downs (GII) on Kentucky Derby Day prior to his run in the Aristides.

Wilkes believes the injury could have occurred at the start of the Aristides.  Capt. Candyman Can got away from the starting gate slowly after a slow loading process for the field of eight when one of its members was reluctant to enter the gate.

“It’s possible it happened at the start – he did stumble there, too,” Wilkes said.  “He didn’t finish the way he should – the way he normally does.  I have no doubt that he would have won the race if he was right.”

Capt. Candyman Can is stabled at Skylight Training Center, which is located about 30 minutes from Churchill Downs.  He is scheduled for rest on a farm after the bone scan is completed on Wilkes’ stable star.

Capt. Candyman Can has a career record of 8-2-2 in 16 races with earnings of $760,147.

STEPHEN FOSTER HANDICAP PROBABLES NEAR FINAL WORKS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – A pair of probable starters for the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (GI) on June 18 at Churchill Downs will soon be putting in their final pre-race workouts at the historic track.

The Virginia H. Tarra Trust’s Clark Handicap (GI) winner Giant Oak is scheduled to tune-up for his Stephen Foster run on Sunday at Churchill Downs with a 6:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) workout for Chris Block. The 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway captured the Donn Handicap (GI) at Gulfstream Park earlier this year prior to a fifth-place finish in the Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables (GIII) on Kentucky Oaks Day.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable, LLC’s Mission Impazible, who won the New Orleans Handicap (GII) at Fair Grounds prior to a seventh-place finish in the Alysheba (GIII), will have his final workout prior to the Stephen Foster on Sunday at Churchill Downs, according to Todd Pletcher’s assistant trainer, Mike McCarthy.  Mission Impazilbe finished tenth behind Super Saver in the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

Other horses known to be under consideration for the Stephen Foster (with trainers) include Apart (Al Stall Jr.), Crown of Thorns (Richard Mandella), Duke of Mischief (David Fawkes), First Dude (Bob Baffert) and Regal Ransom (Saeed bin Suroor).

Weights for the 30^th running of the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) will be released Saturday.

KATHMANBLU WILL LEAD MCPEEK DUO IN REGRET – Five D Thoroughbreds and Wind River Stables’ multiple graded stakes winning filly Kathmanblu will return from a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (GI) to run in the 42^nd running of the $125,000-added Regret Presented by ETIHAD Airways (GIII) at 1 1/8-miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course on June 18.

Kathmanblu’s stablemate in the Ken McPeek barn, Catesby Clay’s Bizzy Caroline, a 3-year-old daughter of Afleet Alex who sprinted away to a seven-length victory in an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 27, is also being pointed toward a start in the Regret.

Kathmanblu will be making her fifth start of the year in the Regret, but it will be her first on the turf since a victory in the Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Park in January. McPeek’s assistant trainer, Philip Bauer, said he hopes Kathmanblu will appreciate a return to the turf and get back on the winning track.

“She’s been doing really well since the (Kentucky) Oaks and I think that turf is her best surface,” Bauer said. “On paper it looks like she will be tough to beat.”

The 3-year-old daughter of Bluegrass Cat has a record of 3-1-1 from five starts over the turf, including two stakes wins and a third behind More Than Real and Winter Memories in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (GII) at Churchill Downs last November.

Other horses under consideration to compete in the Regret (with trainers) include Bouquet Booth (Steve Margolis), Diva Ash (Dale Romans) and Excited (Todd Pletcher).

NEHRO WORKMATE PROBABLE FOR MATT WINN – George Bolton, Stonestreet Stables, LLC and Spendthrift Farm, LLC’s Dominus, who finished second behind Machen in The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII) in his most recent start, is being pointed towards a start in the 14^th running of the $125,000-added Matt Winn on June 18 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

  Dominus, a 3-year-old ridgling by Smart Strike out of the Lord At War-ARG mare Cuando, worked in company with Belmont Stakes (GI) starter Nehro on May 30 at Churchill Downs. The stablemates completed the six furlong work together in 1:12.20, which was the fastest of four, six furlong workers that morning.

Other horses known to be under consideration for the Matt Winn and their trainers include Alstom (Wayne Lukas), Bind (Al Stall Jr.), Infrattini (Paul McGee), and Uncle Brent (Lynn Whiting).

RUNNER-UP IN AMERICAN TURF POSSIBLE FOR JEFFERSON CUP RUN - William S. Farish and Skara Glen Stables’ Close Ally, runner-up to Banned in the American Turf Presented by Ram (GII)  on Kentucky Oaks Day and the  Lone Star Derby (GIII) on Memorial Day, worked three furlongs in :37.60 on a fast main track at Churchill Downs on Friday morning for trainer Neil Howard.

The 3-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway is a possible starter for the 36^th running of the $100,000-added Jefferson Cup (GIII) at 1 1/16-miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course on June 18 Stephen Foster Day undercard.

Howard is also considering running Courtlandt Farms’ Perregaux in the Jefferson Cup. The 3-year-old son of Distorted Humor finished second beaten a half-length to Ronin Dax on May 27 in a one-mile allowance over the Matt Winn Turf Course in his most recent start, which served as his 2011 debut.

"I’m considering both of them (Close Ally and Perregaux) for the Jefferson Cup,” Howard said. “Only one is likely to start; however, I’m not sure which one that will be just yet. Robby Albarado will have the mount regardless of which one runs.”

Other horses known to be under consideration for the Jefferson Cup and their trainers include Banned (Tom Proctor), Derby Kitten (Mike Maker), Redboard (Garry Simms) and Swagger Jack (Darrin Miller).

BARN TALK – Stoneway Farm’s Exfactor gave trainer Bernie Flint his fourth 2-year-old win of the meet in the fifth race at Churchill Downs on Thursday. Cathy and Bob Zollars’ Daddy Nose Best was second and Donegal Racing’s Dullahan, a half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) winner Mine That Bird, finished third.

Right Time Racing LLC’s Street Storm, who finished eighth in the Kentucky Oaks (GI) in her most recent start, is being pointed to the Iowa Oaks (GIII) at Prairie Meadows on June 25, according to trainer Steve Margolis.

Nominations for the 111^th running of the $100,000-added Debutante (GIII) for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs close Saturday. The Debutante, which is scheduled to be run on the main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday, June 25, was won last year by Eldon Farm Equine, LLC’s Just Louise under Robby Albarado for trainer Dale Romans. …

Churchill Downs will offer advance wagering all day Friday beginning at 11:20 a.m. for the 143^rd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes to be run Saturday. A unique wager offered Friday by the New York Racing Association is the Brooklyn/Belmont double that links Belmont Park's two 1 1/2-mile marathon stakes events: Friday's Grade II, $150,000 Brooklyn Handicap for older horses and Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. …

Belmont Park's 13-race Belmont Stakes program will begin at 11:35 a.m. EDT, and will feature $1 million guaranteed pools for an all graded stakes Pick 6 (Races 6-11 starting at 2:34 p.m.) and Pick 4 (Races 8-11 starting at 3:59 p.m.). The 1 1/2-mile Belmont -- the third and final leg of the Triple Crown -- is scheduled as Belmont Park's Race 11 at approximately 6:36 p.m. The on-track simulcast of the Belmont will follow Race 11 and the racing will be prominently shown on television monitors throughout the facility, including the infield and paddock JumboTrons. ...

There will be a drawing ton win three Early Times prints by Marita Walizer on Saturday. Patrons may register for the drawing prior to 2 p.m. near Gate 17. Also, there will be an Early Times mascot race on the Matt Winn Turf Course following Saturday’s fourth race. …

The official drink of the Belmont Stakes, the Belmont Jewel (1.5 oz Woodford Reserve, 2 oz lemonade, 1 oz pomegranate juice), will be sold throughout the facility on Saturday.

Saturday’s Junior Jockey Club events for the kiddos include foam fun and a puppet show at 2:15 p.m.

WORKTAB – Courtlandt Farms’ Machen, winner of The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII) at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, also worked for Howard beneath the Twin Spires on Friday morning. The 3-year-old son of Distorted Humor completed the four furlong breeze in :51.40. …

Briland Farm’s Absinthe Minded, who finished second by a head to Awesome Maria in the Shuvee Handicap (GII) at Belmont Park in her most recent start, worked four furlongs in :48.00 Friday morning for trainer Wayne Lukas.  …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockeys over the last five racing days (May 30- June 9) are Corey Lanerie (8-for-29), Julien Leparoux (7-for-26) and Calvin Borel (6-for-26). Bernie Flint (3-for-5), Ian Wilkes (3-for-10), Steve Asmussen (3-for-12) and Ken McPeek (3-for-13) are the hottest trainers over the same period. The hottest owners are Stoneway Farm (3-for-3), Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (2-for-2), and Charles E. Fipke (2-for-5).

WEATHER – Friday: mostly sunny with a 20% chance of isolated thunderstorms, 93. Saturday: partly sunny with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 90. Sunday: mostly sunny, 82. Monday: partly sunny, 83. Tuesday: mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 85. Wednesday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 89. Thursday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 88.

VERSATILE VETERAN GENERAL QUARTERS FIRES ‘BULLET’ WORK, SET FOR FRIDAY RETURN – Owner-trainer Tom McCarthy’s General Quarters, a dual Grade I winner on turf and synthetic courses,  prepared for a return to racing on Friday with a fast four-furlong work on the main track Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. 

            The gray son of Sky Mesa worked the half-mile over a fast surface in :47.80, which was the fastest of 55 works at the distance on Sunday.  Later in the morning, McCarthy dropped General Quarters’ name in the entry box for a seven-furlong allowance race on dirt on Friday, June 10 that will be his first race since a seventh-place finish behind Debussy in last year’s Arlington Million (GI) at Arlington Park.

            General Quarters worked in fractional times of :12.40 and :24.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.80, which compared favorably with the fastest works of the day at that distance.

            “He went very nicely,” McCarthy said. “It was a very good work.”

            General Quarters has a career record of 4-7-2 in 21 races that includes victories in the Toyota Blue Grass (GI) over the synthetic Polytrack course at Keeneland and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs.  He ran third to eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner and Eclipse Award winner Blame in last year’s Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) and finished 10^th to Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI).

            General Quarters will have a challenging task in his return to racing as his six rivals in Friday’s ninth race include a trio of stakes winners.  Those horses are Morton Fink’s Wise Dan, ninth to First Dude in the Alysheba (GIII) and winner of last fall’s Phoenix (GIII) at Keeneland; Maggi Moss’ Native Ruler, a multiple stakes winner with 15 career victories and earnings of $593,696; and Mimicry Partnership’s Grand Traverse, a stakes winner and career earner of $345,664.

            Jockey Jamie Theriot, who has never ridden General Quarters, has the mount on Friday.

VETERAN POOL PLAY SIZZLES IN WORK, SET FOR DIRT DEBUT IN STEPHEN FOSTER – William S. Farish Jr.’s Pool Play, third to Musketier on turf in Keeneland’s Elkhorn (GIII) last time out, worked a “bullet” five furlongs on the main track at Churchill Downs on Sunday as trainer Mark Casse prepares the Canada-based veteran for an improbable debut on dirt in the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on Saturday, June 18. 

            The 6-year-old son of Silver Deputy completed the distance under exercise rider Melanie Giddings in :59.80.  The work over the fast track was easily the fastest of 24 at the distance and further encouraged Casse’s plans to move Pool Play, who is out of a Cox’s Ridge mare, to the dirt for the Grade I test at Churchill Downs after 27 races on synethetic and turf courses.

            “He’s never ran on the dirt, but he has a dirt pedigree,” Casse said by telephone from his base at Woodbine.  “With him it’s all about the distance, and that’s why we went to grass.  He’s never won a race on the grass, but he likes to go at least a mile and an eight or a mile and quarter.”

            It has not been lost on Casse that the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) will be run over the dirt at the Louisville track on Saturday, Nov. 5

            “He’s trained just unbelievable over the dirt at Churchill.  We figured we might as well find out now because it could decide our plans for the fall.”

            Pool Play has run well in three starts, all on turf, this year.  Along with his race in the Eklhorn, he was a close fourth to Rahy’s Attorney in the Pan American (GIII) and Prince Will I Am in the Mac Diarmida (GII), both at Gulfstream Park.  His most recent victories came over the synthetic Polytrack surface at Woodbine, where he closed out 2010 with an allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles and the $150,000 Valedictory at 1 ¾ miles.  Both wins came at the expense of runner-up Eye of the Leopard, winner of the 2009 Queen’s Plate.

            The well-traveled veteran also finished a close second to Hold Me Back in last year’s Dominion Day (GIII) at Woodbine and won the 2009 Durham Cup (GIII) over the same synthetic course.  He has a career record of 5-6-5 in 27 races and has earned $582,429 in four years of racing.

            Casse, a three-time winner of Canada’s Sovereign Award who earned the Churchill Downs’ 1988 Spring Meet training crown during the early years of his career, is among those who believes that Churchill Downs’ main track is kinder than most dirt ovals to horses that have an affinity for turf and synthetic surfaces.  He notes the dominant Kentucky Derby victories by Animal Kingdom this year and the ill-fated Barbaro as examples.

            In Pool Play, Casse believes he has a horse that believes fits Churchill Downs’ main track very well.  A string of solid works here since Pool Play’s arrival has strengthened that opinion and made the Stephen Foster the veteran’s prime summer objective – and a fascinating handicapping question for fans when that big race comes along.

            “We had the Brooklyn at Belmont we could go to, they wanted us to go the Manhattan (GI on the Belmont Park turf), but, to me, now is the time to find out if he can run on dirt.” Casse said.  “If he can, they run a pretty big race there this fall and the mile and a quarter won’t be a problem for him.”

DICKEY CONSIDERS FOSTER BID FOR FLAT OUT – After watching veteran trainer Charles “Scooter” Dickey’s work with Preston Stables LLC’s talented but tender-footed Flat Out, few in Kentucky racing could ever doubt that Dickey is a very patient man.

            But patience could be more of a virtue in Thoroughbred racing than most any other endeavor, and that trait appears ready to be rewarded with the fragile 5-year-old son of Flatter.  After long periods on the sidelines with troublesome quarter cracks, Flat Out finished a strong runner-up in the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII) on May 30. 

            Flat Out was sandwiched between Grade I winners in the victorious Awesome Gem and third-place finisher Game On Dude.  Dickey was so encouraged by the effort that he is considering a bid by Flat Out in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap over his home track on June 18.

            “He just ran last Monday and right now he seems to have come out fine from the race,” Dickey said.  “So we’ll just watch it and see if that’s where we want to run back.”

            Flat Out launched his start-and-stop career with a bang when he notched his first career win in his second start at Oaklawn Park and briefly entered the Kentucky Derby picture with a stretch-running, 3 ½-length victory in the $50,000 Smarty Jones in his next outing.  A fourth-place finish to Old Fashioned in the Southwest (GIII) and a sixth-place run behind Papa Clem in the Arkansas Derby (GII) left his connections with concerns about whether he would have sufficient graded stakes earnings to compete in the Derby.  But he was still candidate for the Run for the Roses when a fractured shoulder sent Flat Out to the sidelines for an extended stay. 

            It would be a year and a half before Flat Out returned to racing with an allowance victory at Fair Grounds on Dec. 5, 2010.  But that would be his last start until last week’s big comeback effort after a layoff of nearly six months in the Lone Star Park Handicap.

            Flat Out’s shoulder healed long ago.  The problem since then has been Flat Out’s feet.

            “It’s mostly quarter cracks,” Dickey said.  “When we were waiting to go to the Derby, he had that crack in shoulder, and since then it’s just been quarter cracks.”

            The race at Lone Star improved Flat Out’s career record to 3-1-0 in seven races with earnings of $174,100.  Now Dickey will watch him over the next few days and assess Flat Out’s chances for the possible debut in Grade I stakes competition in the Foster.

            “He’s got such a big heart,” Dickey said.  “He’s just such a good horse to be around and to work with, but when you can’t go, you can’t go,” Dickey said.  “Hopefully he’ll stay with us now for a while and we can run him a few more times.”

CHECK THE LABEL ASSIGNED HIGH WEIGHT FOR MINT JULEP – Lael Stable’s Check the Label, winner of the Garden City (GI) over yielding turf last fall at Belmont Park, has been assigned the high weight of 122 pounds by racing secretary Ben Huffman for the 35^th running of the $100,000-added Early Times Mint Julep (GIII) for fillies and mares to be run at 1 1/16 miles over the Matt Winn Turf Course on Saturday, June 11.

            Check the Label, who is trained by Graham Motion, winning trainer of this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), sports a record of 6-3-1 from 15 starts, including an allowance win beneath the Twin Spires in November 2009 and a second-place finish in the Caressing Handicap at Churchill Downs later in that month. After crossing the line first in three straight graded stakes turf contests, Check The Label captured the biggest win of her career in the Garden City.

            Check the Label followed the Garden City with a sixth-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (GI) at Keeneland that ended her racing year.  She returned from a six-month break to finish runner-up to Embur’s Song in the Doubledogdare (GIII) over Polytrack in her most recent start on April 22. Check the Label is listed as a probable starter for the Mint Julep.                   

       The next high weights are Flaxman Holdings, Ltd.’s Aruna, who is also trained by Motion and won the most recent running of the Mrs. Revere (GII) at Churchill Downs before finishing second to Aviate-GB in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Presented by American Commercial Lines (GII) on the Kentucky Derby Day undercard in her most recent start, and Never Retreat, a multiple graded-stakes winner with $618,759 in career earnings. Aruna and Never Retreat are weighted at 120 pounds. 

            Weighted at 119 pounds and another probable starter in the race is Barbara Hunter’s Snow Top Mountain, a half-sister to Louisville Handicap (GIII) heroine Keertana and second to Check the Label in the Garden City.

            Also believed to be probable starters by Churchill Downs’ officials and their weights are Askbut I Won’ttell (117), Tapitsfly (116) and Ravi’s Song (114). No Explaining-IRE (118), Perfect Shirl (115) and Shameless (113) are possible starters.

Entries for the 35^th running of the Early Times Mint Julep will be taken on Wednesday, June 8.

 

WORK TAB (Track: FAST) – Team Block and Rich Ege’s Askbut I Won’ttell worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 over a “fast” main track at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning for trainer Chris Block. The 5-year-old daughter of Horse Chestnut-SAF captured the Cardinal Handicap beneath the Twin Spires last fall and is probable for the Early Times Mint Julep (GIII) on Saturday. …

            Block also worked Dundalk 5 LLC’s Dundalk Dust, winner of the 2010 Falls City Handicap (GII) at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old daughter of Military traveled five furlongs in 1:01.20.    

            Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman’s Ventana, who captured the Maryland Sprint Handicap (GIII) on the Preakness Day undercard in his most recent start, worked four furlongs in :49.20 for trainer Bob Baffert.

            Seeking the Title, a 4-year-old daughter of Seeking the Gold, worked four furlongs in :48.20 for trainer Dallas Stewart. Seeking the Title won the 2010 Iowa Oaks (GIII) for owner Charles Fipke.

            Charles Cella’s stakes winner Uncle Brent, who last raced in the Peter Pan (GII) at Belmont Park, worked six furlongs in 1:13.60 for trainer Lynn Whiting. Uncle Brent was the only six furlong-worker Sunday.

THE WEEK AHEAD BENEATH THE TWIN SPIRES - Churchill Downs' upcoming week will be highlighted by the 35th running of the Grade III, $100,000-added Early Times Mint Julep Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf and a simulcast of the 143rd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park. Both will take place Saturday. Churchill Downs will offer advance Belmont Stakes wagering all day Friday, starting at 11:30 a.m.  ...

Belmont Park's 13-race Belmont Stakes program will begin at 11:35 a.m. EDT, and will feature $1 million guaranteed pools for an all graded stakes Pick 6 (Races 6-11 starting at 2:34 p.m.) and Pick 4 (Races 8-11 starting at 3:59 p.m.). The 1 1/2-mile Belmont -- the third and final leg of the Triple Crown -- is scheduled as Belmont Park's Race 11 at approximately 6:36 p.m. The simulcast of the race ontrack will follow Race 11 at Churchill Downs and will be prominently shown on television monitors throughout the facility, including the infield and paddock JumboTrons. ...        

            A unique wager offered Friday by the New York Racing Association is the Brooklyn/Belmont double that links Belmont Park's two 1 1/2-mile marathon stakes events: Friday's Grade II, $150,000 Brooklyn Handicap for older horses and Saturday's Belmont for 3-year-olds. ...

Friday is the final 2:45 p.m. twilight racing program of the meet before "Downs After Dark" night racing returns with a 6 p.m. first post for the final three Fridays on June 17, June 24 and July 1. Also, the music of Wax Fang will headline the finale performance of the new Paddock Concert Series. The concert will begin shortly after the final race around 8 p.m. General admission will be $3 until 7 p.m. and $10 thereafter. The first 850 people in attendance for the concert will be allowed access into the saddling paddock to watch the concert up close in a VIP viewing area free of charge. A $20 Budweiser Select Balcony reserved ticket (available for purchase online at churchilldowns.com/tickets) includes front-row access, a prime undercover balcony overlooking the paddock and stage, extended drink specials throughout the night and a special gift from Budweiser Select.

Friday Happy Hours presented by Budweiser Select will take place in the paddock area from 6-8:15 p.m., with $2 Budweiser products, frozen specialty drinks and hot dogs showcased. There will also be a live band to entertain paddock patrons between races from 5-8 p.m. ...

Foam fun and a 2:15 p.m. puppet show on Saturday and sponge paint on Sunday highlight the weekend's activities at Churchill Downs' Junior Jockey Club located near the Guest Services Booth inside Gate 10. The Junior Jockey Club for children age 3-10 is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Churchill Downs' mascot Churchill Charlie will be on hand for photographs between 2-2:30 p.m. Coloring books, crayons, individual games and reading material are available as well. ...

Sunday is the last chance of the spring for locals to win a $1,500 first prize and a coveted VIP trip to the Horseplayer World Series at The Orleans Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The cost to enter the final "Who's the Champ?" Handicapping Contest is $25 (or 25,000 Twin Spires Club points) and it will take place in the Champions Club Lounge.

BARN TALK – Miguel Mena will be off all his mounts Sunday at Churchill Downs to rest following a fall at Prairie Meadows on Saturday. Mena is expected to be back in action Thursday with four mounts at Churchill Downs. …

            Trainer Ken McPeek’s two most recent stakes winners, Salty Strike and Noble’s Promise, came out of their races in good order. Salty Strike, who captured the Dogwood (GIII) for Craig B. Singer, will be pointed to the Test (GI) at Saratoga on Aug. 6. Chasing Dreams Racing 2008, LLC’s Noble’s Promise will be pointed to the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (GI) at Saratoga on Aug. 7. …

Dullahan, the 2-year-old half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, will make his debut in Thursday’s fifth race at Churchill Downs for owner Donegal Racing and trainer Dale Romans. “He’ll be one to watch,” said Romans of the chestnut son of Even the Score.                             

            Jockey Robby Albarado is close to moving into third-place in career wins at Churchill Downs. Albarado, who has 921 victories beneath the Twin Spires, is just four wins behind Don Brumfield on the all-time list. Albarado has mounts in races six through nine Sunday. …

WHO’S HOT – The hottest jockeys over the last five racing days (May 28- June 4) are Corey Lanerie (8-for-35), Shaun Bridgmohan (7-for-35) and Robby Albarado (6-for-16). Steve Asmussen (4-for-12) is the hottest trainer over the same period. The hottest owners are Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. (2-for-8) Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (2-for-4), Stoneway Farm (2-for-3) and Vinery Stables, LLC (2-for-2).

 

WEATHER – Sunday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 91; Monday: mostly sunny, 91; Tuesday: mostly sunny and hot, 96; Wednesday: mostly sunny and hot, 94; Thursday: mostly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 92; Friday: partly sunny with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, 90.

The 137th running of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) at Churchill Downs will be the richest in history as the purse for America’s most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies has been raised to $1 million guaranteed, which doubles the purse offered in 2010.

The record-setting Kentucky Oaks, scheduled for Friday, May 6, and the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), the nation’s greatest race and one of America’s top entertainment events, head a schedule of 25 stakes races with total purses of $7.325 million set for Churchill Downs 2011 Spring Meet.  The 39-day meet opens with the first Kentucky Derby Week night racing event on Saturday, April 30 and will conclude with an Independence Day racing program on Monday, July 4.

The record purse for the Kentucky Oaks will make the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies the richest American race in that division. The increase will help boost the value of purses for six stakes races scheduled on the Oaks Day program to a record $2 million.  That total is second at Churchill Downs only to Kentucky Derby Day, which also features six graded stakes races – three of which are Grade I events – with total purses of $3.4 million.

“There is no weekend in American racing like Kentucky Oaks and Derby Weekend, and it is exciting to raise the purse for the Oaks to a level that reflects its status and importance as a sports and entertainment event,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack.  “The Oaks has enjoyed spectacular growth in recent years and the 2010 running won by Blind Luck was one of its greatest renewals.  The 2010 attracted a record crowd of 116,046 and all sources wagering set records with $10.6 million bet on the Oaks race, and $30.6 million was wagered on the entire Oaks card, a jump of 20 percent from the previous record.  The Oaks ranked eighth in the U.S. in betting on a single race in 2010, and wagering on the entire Oaks card ranked sixth.  Along with its wagering success, the Oaks clearly stands on its own as a spectacular entertainment event, and the fundraising partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and national television coverage on Bravo have opened doors to new fans of America’s greatest race for 3-year-old fillies.

“While some stakes races have gone on hiatus and others have had slight adjustments in purse levels, our overall stakes schedule is strong and attractive, and our ‘big event days’ – the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Stephen Foster Handicap – head a roster of stakes races that offers wonderful opportunities for horsemen in nearly every division.”

he 2011 Churchill Downs Spring Meet kicks off with a spectacular racing and entertainment program under the track’s permanent lights that features the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial.  The Grade III Derby Trial is the final major prep for the Kentucky Derby, which will be run a week later.  The opening night celebration that kicks off the Spring Meet will be the first Derby Week racing session conducted under the lights in Churchill Downs history.

The last purse increase for the Kentucky Oaks came in 1996, when the purse was raised to $500,000-added for the race won by Pike Place Dancer.

Three straight Kentucky Oaks winners – Rachel Alexandra (2009), Proud Spell (2008) and Rags to Riches (2007) – went on earn Eclipse Awards as champion 3-year-old filly.  Two of those – Rachel Alexandra and Rags to Riches – defeated males in Triple Crown events in their next start as Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness (GI) on her way to Horse of the Year honors, and Rags to Riches defeated eventual Horse of the Year Curlin in the Belmont Stakes (GI).  Blind Luck, the 2010 winner, is a finalist to become the fourth consecutive filly to pull off that double when the 2010 Eclipse Award winners are revealed on Monday, Jan. 17, in Miami.

Other recent stars who won the Kentucky Oaks on their way to 3-year-old championship honors include Ashado (2004), Bird Town (’03), Farda Amiga (’02), Silverbulletday (’99), Open Mind (’89), and Tiffany Lass (’86).  Fillies that failed to win the Oaks but went on to earn Eclipse Award championship honors at the conclusion of their 3-year-old seasons include Wait A While (3rd in 2006), Banshee Breeze (2nd in ’98), and Go for Wand (2nd in 1990).

Along with the doubling of the Kentucky Oaks purse, other changes from last year in the 2011 Spring Meet stakes program include:

• Purses have been increased for the Churchill Downs Presented by Navistar (GII), which will grow by $50,000 to $300,000-added; the Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables (GIII), which increases from $150,000-added to $300,000-added; and the American Turf (GII), which jumps by $25,000 to $200,000-added;
•  Purses will be lower for the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI), which carries a purse of $500,000-added, a reduction of $100,000; and the La Troienne (GII), which drops by $100,000 to $300,000-added.  The La Troienne decrease reflects a loss of $100,000 in Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program funding;
• The race previously known as the Northern Dancer is now named the Matt Winn, in honor of the legendary president of Churchill Downs who became known as “Mr. Derby” for his work in transforming the Kentucky Derby and its home track into international sports and entertainment icons during his 1902-1949 tenure at the track;
• Four races – the Fleur De Lis (GII), Kentucky Juvenile (GIII), the Locust Grove Handicap (GIII) and the race previously known as the Matt Winn – will go on hiatus for this year;
• The Edgewood Presented by Forcht Bank, a $100,000-added turf race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, returns after a one-year hiatus and will be run on Kentucky Oaks Day;
•  The $100,000-added Eight Belles Presented by ACS, A Xerox Company (GIII) will move from Kentucky Derby Day to Kentucky Oaks Day, and its distance has been changed to seven furlongs from its recent 7 ½ furlongs, and
• The five-furlong, Grade III Turf Sprint run in recent years on Kentucky Oaks Day has been moved to Kentucky Derby Day and is now named the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

“It was difficult to place four quality stakes events on hiatus for this year, but our racing team
looked very closely at our events and stakes schedules at other tracks in our region and around the United States and that allowed us to put together the strongest possible stakes schedule for 2011,”  Flanery said.  “Of the 25 races on our 2011 stakes schedule, 16 are scheduled on those ‘big event days’ surrounding the Derby, Oaks and Stephen Foster.  These big days have proven extremely popular with fans and horsemen, as are our ‘Downs After Dark’ night racing programs.  The record $1 million purse should make the Kentucky Oaks even more attractive to fans, owners and trainers, and we are very excited about our Spring Meet kickoff under the lights and this year’s running of The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial, an important prep that could have an impact on the field for the Kentucky Derby.”

The stakes schedule for Churchill Downs 21-day Fall Meet, which runs from Oct. 30-Nov. 2 and will include the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships on for the second consecutive year on Nov. 4-5, will be announced later this year.