Captain Steve and Unshaded Top Stephen Foster Field

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Captain Steve and Unshaded head a strong field of eight older horses in Saturday's 20th running of the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile race highlights a card with total purses of $1.3 million. The track noted this is second richest day of stakes competition in the history of Churchill Downs, exceeded only by Kentucky Derby Day.

The face-off matches two 4-year-olds who are expected to be major contenders for the Eclipse Award that will be awarded at year's end to the nation's outstanding older horse.

The Bob Baffert-trained Captain Steve, unbeaten in two starts this year, is the richest American horse in training with a career record of 9-2-6 in 21 races for earnings of $6,527,156. He will carry top weight of 123 pounds in the Stephen Foster and concedes from five to 12 pounds to his seven rivals.

Captain Steve will be ridden by Jerry Bailey, who will be seeking his second victory in the Stephen Foster. He won the 1999 renewal aboard Victory Gallop.

The Carl Nafzger-trained Unshaded who went to the sidelines with a tendon injury after his win in the Travers in August did not return to racing until May 17, when he won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs.

Unshaded is the son of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled, who was also trained by Nafzger. He said Unshaded is ready for a "100 percent" effort. Unshaded who will be ridden by Robby Albarado, will carry 118 pounds.

Also on the list of Foster contenders is Thomas Van Meter II's Brahms, an Elliott Walden-trained grade I winner on turf who will try his luck on the dirt, and Graeme Hall, the Todd Pletcher-trained winner of the 2000 Arkansas Derby (gr. II).

The field for the Stephen Foster, in post position order, includes: Captain Steve, 123, Bailey; Guided Tour, 113, Larry Melancon; Duckhorn, 114, Jon Court; Brahms, 114, Pat Day; Graeme Hall, 117, Victor Espinoza; Jadada, 111, Calvin Borel; Da Devil, 111, Lonnie Meche; and Unshaded, 118, Albarado.

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