Breeders' Cup Classic the goal for Foster winner Seeking the Soul

Veteran trainer Dallas Stewart was back to work Sunday at Churchill Downs to figure out the next option for Saturday night's Stephen Foster (G2) winner Seeking the Soul. 

“We got back at it at 5 a.m. this morning and looking forward to the future,” Stewart said. “He bounced out of the race in great shape, and we’ll keep our options open for finding his next target.

"One thing is for sure: We definitely have a spot in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, unlike last year.”

Seeking the Soul originally targeted the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic but did not make the body of the field for the 1 1/4-mile race. He instead ran in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, finishing second to City of Light.

With his victory in the Stephen Foster, Seeking the Soul secured a “Win and You’re In” spot for this year’s Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

“East Coast, West Coast, we’re keeping our options open, but we know we have a race in November to point toward,” said Stewart, who in the minutes after winning the Foster mentioned a trip to Del Mar -- meaning the Pacific Classic (G1) -- is among the possibilities.

Saturday night's other Breeders' Cup qualifier, Distaff-bound Elate, could target a repeat in the Delaware Handicap (G2) at 1 1/4 miles on July 13 as her next start, said Claiborne Farm’s Walker Hancock. Elate swept by the battling Blue Prize and She's a Julie to win the Fleur de Lis (G1), marking her first victory in 2019.