First Mission Continues Training Towards Stephen Foster

Jun 07, 2024 Kevin Kerstein

Godolphin’s talented homebred First Mission continues training at Churchill Downs for his next start in the Grade I, $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) at 1 1/8 miles on Saturday, June 29.

Trained by Brad Cox, First Mission returned to the work tab two weeks ago for the first time since his victory in the May 3 Alysheba Stakes presented by TwinSpires.com (GII). The 4-year-old son of Street Sense is scheduled to work Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“We obviously think very highly of him and he’s risen to one of the top older horses in the country with his victories in the Alysheba and Essex (GII),” Cox said. “We’re looking forward to running him here at Churchill in the Stephen Foster where he can run out of his own backyard. He came out of the Alysheba in good order and we got him back on the work tab two weeks ago with just some easy half-miles.”

Nominations to the Stephen Foster close Wednesday. The stellar day of racing also includes the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII), $500,000 Wise Dan (GII), $250,0000 American Derby (Listed), $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (Listed) and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).

FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY RETURNS SUNDAY – The lone Family Adventure Day of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet is Sunday, featuring more than 15 kid-friendly activities to go along with the nine-race program.

Among the activities for children under 12 to enjoy are face painting, sports inflatables and an obstacle course, game zone with cornhole, giant Jenga, checkers and tick-tac-toe, arts and crafts stations and Charlie’s Corner with soft play and toddler bounce area.

Children can also register for a chance to participate in stick horse races in the Churchill Downs Paddock from 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

General admission is $9 for adults and up to two children are free with each paying adult. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is 12:45 p.m. Access to the Family Adventure Day activities will be inside the Paddock Gate.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Live racing resumed Friday at Churchill Downs with a first post of 12:45 p.m. There was a $149,572 carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot which spanned Races 4-9. “Inside Churchill Downs” will air Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. The one-hour program, hosted by Churchill Downs’ Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein, will preview the weekend action from Churchill Downs as well as the Belmont Stakes (GI) with racing analyst Kevin Kilroy. Nash, the 8-5 morning line favorite in Sunday’s $400,000 Matt Winn (GII), will bypass the race in favor of Saturday’s Woody Stephens (GI) at Saratoga. Who Dey, the 5-2 second choice, was scratched from Friday’s Best of Ohio Green Carpet Stakes at Belterra in favor of the Matt Winn. Jockey Keith Asmussen continues to recover at UofL Hospital following his fractured left femur and broken ribs. His brother, Erik, is scheduled to ride at Churchill Downs on Wednesday. For more information about the Spring Meet from Churchill Downs visit www.churchilldowns.com.