Notes On My Stephen Foster Day Program

By Jude T. Feld

Wow! Last Saturday, Rags to Riches scintillating victory in the Belmont (G1), and today, a magnificent array of graded stakes at historic Churchill Downs. Thoroughbred racing has hit the long homestretch of events leading to the Breeders’ Cup. It is going to be an exciting summer.

DUVEEN rides a three-race winning streak into the Jefferson Cup (G3), CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 6TH RACE, making him the horse to beat. TRIMARAN had a rough trip in the Forerunner at Keeneland, but still managed to finish third. He will force DUVEEN to bring his “A” game this afternoon. JAZZ QUEST just finished a length behind DUVEEN in the Crown Royal American Turf (G3), his first start for trainer Tom Amoss. He cannot be ignored.

While ZANJERO and SAM P. were getting beat up by the big boys in the Kentucky Derby (G1), CHELOKEE was taking it easy, preparing for his Barbaro Stakes win at Pimlico. Not only is he the freshest horse in the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup (G3), CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 7TH RACE, he is the fastest.

The Early Times Mint Julep (G3) is CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 8TH RACE. After winning an allowance race at Keeneland, DANZON almost beat the boys in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) on Derby day. She looks any price versus fillies and mares.

CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 9TH RACE is the wide-open Fleur de Lis (G2). INDIAN VALE is undefeated at today’s mile and one-eighth distance – a perfect 5 for 5. She ran the best race of her life in the 2005 Falls City (G2) at Churchill and might be a square price in this talent-laden field. ERMINE, who won the same race in 2006, is the filly to beat.

The Stephen Foster (G1) is CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 10TH RACE. The old racing axiom that Grade 1 horses win Grade 1 races doesn’t apply today, since whoever wins will be winning their first Grade 1 event. DIAMOND STRIPES might be a Grade 1 horse, though today will be his first start at the championship level. He is an undefeated, Grade 3 winner with solid speed figures and an excellent closing kick. Edgar Prado sees fit to ride him and that is a great sign.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner DREAMING OF ANNA will get most of the attention in the Regret (G3), CHURCHILL DOWNS’ 11TH RACE, but she is very suspect going a mile and an eighth. YOU GO WEST GIRL sports excellent turf figures and should be flying in the stretch with underrated rider Jamie Theriot in the saddle.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 15th, 2007 at 8:51 am and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.