Stephen Foster Day Horses Gear Up for Closing Weekend

Jun 16, 2024 Kevin Kerstein

Many of the top horses based at Churchill Downs, including Godolphin’s First Mission and Juddmonte’s Scylla, continue to prepare for Churchill Downs’ closing weekend stakes events led by the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I) and $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII).

In total, 11 stakes will be contested June 29-30, the final weekend of the 2024 Spring Meet. In addition to the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis, the phenomenal lineup on June 29 also includes the $500,000 Wise Dan (GII), $250,000 American Derby (Listed), $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (Listed) and $250,000 Tepin (Listed). Sunday’s program includes the $300,000 Hanshin presented by the JRA (Listed), $225,000 Bashford Manor (Listed), $225,000 Debutante (Listed), $175,000 Anchorage Overnight Stakes and $175,000 Maxfield Overnight Stakes.

First Mission, a 4-year-old son of Street Sense who recently won the Alysheba Stakes (GII) on Kentucky Oaks Day for trainer Brad Cox, is likely to headline the Stephen Foster. Other probable entrants include Il Miracolo and Steal Sunshine, according to their respective connections.

In the Fleur de Lis, recent Shawnee Stakes (GIII) winner Scylla returned to the Churchill Downs work tab on Sunday, recording an solid half-mile move in :48.20 for trainer Bill Mott. Another possible entrant in the race is Godolphin’s Grade I winner Wet Paint, who breezed a half-mile in :48 Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Nominations to all 11 stakes contests are available here: Churchill Downs Stakes Nominations.

The Stephen Foster is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and is a “Win and You’re In Classic Division” race. The winner will earn a spot in the starting gate for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Del Mar with a free, automatic entry to the race.

Entries for Stephen Foster Day will be taken Saturday while closing day entries will be taken Sunday, June 23.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Eleven races were on tap Sunday for Father’s Day. First post was 12:45 p.m. and the card featured a $209,353 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot in Races 6-11.  Jockey Edgar Morales is off his mounts Sunday after injuring his left leg from a fall during a morning turf workout. He was transported to the UofL Hospital for further evaluation. Following dark days Monday and Tuesday, live racing will return Wednesday for another five-day week at Churchill Downs. Wednesday’s first post was 12:45 p.m. For more information about the 2024 Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.