Churchill Downs' Stephen Foster night stakes take shape

The 37th running of the Grade I, $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap is the centerpiece of five graded stakes events for Downs After Dark on Saturday, June 16 at Churchill Downs.

“The Stephen Foster is one of those races that every horseman wants to win,” said locally-based trainer Wes Hawley, who is expected to start Alysheba (GII) runner-up Hawaakom in the 1 1/8-mile race. “I wanted to run in this race last year and ever since then I’ve been excited to target it for Hawaakom.”

Other known probable entrants for the Stephen Foster include Alysheba winner Backyard Heaven; 2017 Stephen Foster runner-up Honorable Duty; Pimlico Special (GIII) winner Irish War Cry; Razorback Handicap (GIII) runner-up Leofric; 2017 Kentucky Derby (GI) runner-up Lookin At Lee; and 2017 Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up Patch.

Also on the 11-race Downs After Dark card that kicks off at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern) is the 43rd running of the Grade II, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles. Probable entrants include 2017 Beldame (GI) and Alabama (GI) winner Elate; La Troienne (GII) runner-up Farrell; DuPont Distaff (GIII) third Fuhriously Kissed; and DuPont Distaff winner Song of Spring.

“We’re all geared up and ready to go,” trainer Wayne Catalano said of his Fleur de Lis probable entrant Farrell. “She breezed an old-school seven furlongs (Thursday) morning in 1:27.20. She galloped out one mile in 1:41 and change. You don’t see many horses who can do it as easily as she did. We’re ready to see what she’s got in the Fleur de Lis.”

Both the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Presented by America’s Best Racing that consists of the best races from around the world. The winners of the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis will receive a free entry to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) and $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI), respectively, on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. The two races will be televised June 16 on NBCSN beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Three other stakes events highlight the card that will be drawn on Wednesday, June 13: the 29th running of the $200,000 Wise Dan (GII) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course; the 21st running of the $100,000 Matt Winn (GIII) for 3-year-olds contested at 1 1/16 miles on the main track; and the 49th running of the $100,000 Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Below are some of the early probable entrants for the Wise Dan, Matt Winn and Regret...

Wise Dan: Mr Cub, Mr. Misunderstood and Parlor

Matt Winn: Combatant, Home Base, King Zachary, Quip and Tiz Mischief

Regret: Go Google Yourself, Kabella, Secret Message, She’s Pretty Lucky and Stave