Stephen Foster: Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone, Hit Show clash
Churchill Downs presents the Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster for 3-year-olds and up Saturday. A deep field of seven was drawn, and it includes the top two finishers in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, the Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Dubai World Cup winner and the winners of the Hollywood Gold Cup and Oaklawn Handicap.
Mystik Dan, who enters the Foster off a win in the Blame Stakes (G3) at Churchill, will have to hold off Sierra Leone once more, though the Breeders' Cup Classic winner has been off since his third-place finish in the New Orleans Stakes (G2) in March. Hit Show, last seen running away from the field in the Dubai World Cup (G1), returns to the U.S. looking to continue his winning ways.
Closer to home, First Mission enters the Foster off a professional win in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Skippylongstocking added the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) to his long resume. Mindframe, winner of the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Derby day, looks to stretch out and notch another big score. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who recently retired because of health problems, will be represented in the entries with Ashcroft.
The Foster winner will receive his share of the $1 million purse as well as earn a win-and-you're-in spot for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The Stephen Foster is race 11 with a scheduled post time at 6:03 p.m. EDT. FanDuel TV provides coverage of the Stephen Foster and undercard stakes at Churchill Downs beginning at 12:40 p.m. EDT.
Free past performances for this and more top stakes are provided by Brisnet.
Here are the top lifetime speed figures the Stephen Foster entrants.
| Post | Horse | Beyer* | TFUS* | Brisnet | HRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Mission | 109 | 129 | 106 | 136 |
| 2 | Mindframe | 103 | 126 | 106 | 135 |
| 3 | Skippylongstocking | 107 | 125 | 108 | 132 |
| 4 | Sierra Leone | 112 | 134 | 114 | 139 |
| 5 | Mystik Dan | 101 | 125 | 103 | 132 |
| 6 | Hit Show | 99 | 124 | 108 | 129 |
| 7 | Ashcroft | 94 | 122 | 96 | 121 |
*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are courtesy of Daily Racing Form.
HRN handicappers
In one of the most accomplished Foster fields in recent memory, Horse Racing Nation's Ed DeRosa is looking for an upset candidate to challenge the top 2 favorites.
Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman take on the Stephen Foster and Wise Dan (G2) in HorseCenter this week.
"There should be no excuses in the $1 million Stephen Foster," Zipse said. "All the main participants, and there are six of them, have at least one race under their belts and are training well. There is also enough early speed to set up a fair race. With that said, I will be playing the horse who I believe to be best in what looks to be one of the best races of the year so far ... Sierra Leone."
Head-to-Head handicappers Laurie Ross and Ahsley Tamulonis are split on who's best in the Foster. See who comes out on top in each of their analyses.
Thorpedo Anna also returns Saturday in the Fleur de Lis (G2) after a shocking upset in the La Troienne (G1) last out. Will she be back to her top form, or can another rising star defeat her again? Here are two with the talent to do it.
Longtime Baltimore turf writer John Scheinman is the guest this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Get his take on the redevelopment plans for Pimlico and other hot topics in Maryland racing. He also has a plan for how to lure fans back to the Preakness. Listen here.
Get your copy of the Super Screener, plus every weekend through the Breeders' Cup, here.