Moonshine Mullin 'Really Great' After Foster Win

Following an exhilarating night of first-class racing Saturday under the Twin Spires, the equine stars of Stephen Foster Handicap Night at Churchill Downs were reported by their connections to be in good order.

In one of the most impressive performances of the year, Randy Patterson’s Moonshine Mullin scored a 1 ¾-length victory in the $552,500 Stephen Foster Handicap Presented by Abu Dhabi (Grade I) and trainer Randy Morse said he came out of the race well.

“He came out great, really great,” Morse said. “We’re just going to let this win sink in and we’ll see what happens next.”

Morse did mention he would probably take a string of horses back to Saratoga upon the completion of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet, but did not say if Moonshine Mullin was pointed to a specific race.

The two Grade I events for handicap horses this summer at Saratoga are the Aug. 2 Whitney Invitational Handicap and Aug. 30 Woodward, both run at 1 1/8 miles.

Moonshine Mullin was followed in order by Will Take Charge, Departing, Mylute, Golden Ticket, Revolutionary, Long River, Prayer for Relief and Jaguar Paw.

“He came out of the race fine,” Will Take Charge conditioner D. Wayne Lukas said. “We’ll take a very serious look at the Whitney. This horse has an affinity for the Saratoga track.”

“Departing is fine,” trainer Al Stall Jr. said. “We were pleased with his effort and we will talk to the owners to see what’s in store next.”