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Purses Down for Churchill's Spring Meet

Churchill Downs' schedule of stakes for its April 28-July 1 spring meet will feature 24 events, total stakes purses of $7.275 million, and an emphasis on "big event" programs.

Flashy Speed from Flashy Bull's Runners

Airdrie Stud's Flashy Bull is off to a hot start with his first crop; sire of Debutante Stakes (gr. III) winner Flashy Lassie.

Bind Injured; Could Miss Rest of the Year

An injury suffered during a June 13 workout has taken Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Bind out of consideration for the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs and could sideline him for the rest of the year.

A Year Apart - By Esther Marr

Apart may still be overshadowed by a prominent former stablemate-champion Blame-but similarities between the two horses exist.

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Blame Runs Down Battle Plan in Stephen Foster

The only thing Blame needed to officially become a star was a grade I win. The son of Arch accomplished that June 12, overcoming a wide trip while running down pacesetter Battle Plan to score the Stephen Foster Handicap.

Rachel to Start in Fleur de Lis, Not Foster

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will be entered in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs June 12, ending weeks of speculation as to where the 4-year-old filly will make her next start.

Macho Again Denies Einstein in Foster

West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again found room off the turn and pulled away from a wall of horses to win the $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs. Einstein, seeking his third consecutive grade I score, finished third after a troubled trip.

Einstein Top Weight For Stephen Foster

Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.

Einstein Among Probables For Stephen Foster

Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein, runner-up to Curlin in last year's Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), topped a list of 20 nominees for this year's renewal, which will be run June 13 at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Seeks to Cut Seven Race Days

Churchill Downs will ask a state comission May 12 to cut seven race days from its 2009 spring meet; announces purse cuts.

Churchill Trims Spring Stakes Schedule

Churchill Downs has unveiled a stakes schedule for its 2009 spring meet that is headed by the 135th renewals of the $2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). There will be 29 events with total purses of $7.575 million.

Curlin's Circle Considering Arc Attack

Following Curlin's dominant win in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 14, trainer Steve Asmussen says he's planning to work the reigning Horse of the Year over the Churchill Downs grass course while considering a bid in France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I).

Curlin Waltzes to Stephen Foster Victory

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin took the lead entering the stretch and rolled to an impressive 4 1/4-length victory in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Calvin Borel Off Mounts at Churchill

Jockey Calvin Borel took off his 10 mounts at Churchill Downs on June 14, citing pain in his knee as the cause.

Curlin Schools for Stephen Foster

Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year and 3-5 morning line favorite for the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), schooled in the paddock at Churchill Downs following the fifth race June 12. He was accompanied by trainer Steve Asmussen and assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

Curlin One to Catch in Cash-Rich 'Foster

For Steve Asmussen, the perfect scenario in the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) goes something like this: clean break, good position, powerful move, and a romp home under wraps from Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year. But whether the trainer will get that result in the 1 1/8-mile test at Churchill Downs is another question.

Curlin Expected to Make Stephen Foster

Trainer Steve Asmussen was none too pleased with the 128-pound impost assigned to 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin for his expected bid in the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs. Still, after a half-mile breeze in :49 seconds by the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner June 9, Asmussen indicated the horse would start in the 1 1/8-mile event.

Curlin Could Face Einstein in Foster

Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable's reigning Horse of the Year Curlin was assigned 128 pounds for the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Curlin Sharp in Six-Furlong Work

Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year and winner of the March 29 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), continued to train toward his return to competition May 26 with a strong six-furlong work at Churchill Downs.

Magna Graduate Returns to Excelsior

Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate, winner of last year's $200,000 Excelsior Handicap (gr. III), will look to break a seven-racing losing streak when he returns to the 1 1/8-mile event at Aqueduct April 5.

Silent Pleasure Set to Please in Cornhusker Handicap

S & S Stables' Silent Pleasure, coming off a narrow victory in the April 28 Texas Mile (gr. III), stretches out to 1 1/8 miles and looks to extend his four-race winning streak when he heads up a field of 10 as the 121-pound highweight in Saturday's running of the Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Prairie Meadows.

Leg Bruise to Keep Einstein Out of Foster

A leg injury has taken Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein out of consideration for Saturday's $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

"Road" Shows on ESPN Grab More Viewers

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Wednesday that television viewership for the first four shows of its "Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships -- Powered by Dodge" was up 45% over last year's numbers.

Moquett Still Feeling 'Surreal' Day After Foster

The morning after Seek Gold's stunning upset in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) was, in the words of trainer Ron Moquett, "surreal."

Seek Gold Hits Paydirt in Foster Shocker

Last at the top of the stretch, Seek Gold closed from out of the clouds to steal the $844,500 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) from Perfect Drift at the wire at odds of 91-1 at Churchill Downs Saturday.

Televised Road to the Breeders' Cup Starts June 17

The second half of the Thoroughbred racing season kicks off June 17 with the first 2006 telecast of the Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships – Powered by Dodge on ESPN from 5-7 p.m. (est).

Three Contenders Work Toward Stephen Foster

Fred Bradley's Brass Hat and Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, the local stars that could be the favorites for Saturday's 25th running of the $750,0000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, turned in their final major pre-race preps on Tuesday with training moves at Trackside Louisville training center.

Magna Graduate to Miss Foster With Injury

The Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) lost a major contender when trainer Todd Pletcher said that Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate would miss the June 17 race after suffering an injury during a Sunday workout at Churchill Downs.

Suave Back in Training for McGee at Churchill

Jay Em Ess Stable's Suave, a disappointment at Gulfstream Park's winter meeting, is back in training for trainer Paul McGee at Churchill Downs.

Subbing Frankel Wins Foster With Saint Liam

Trainer Bobby Frankel couldn't have drawn up the running of Saturday's $828,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) any better for Saint Liam in his first start for the Hall of Fame conditioner. Saint Liam shook off pacesetter Presidentialaffair coming off the far turn and romped to a 2 3/4-length victory.

Foster Favorite Saint Liam Tackles Churchill

Saint Liam, the 8-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), was reacquainted with Churchill Downs' one-mile racing oval during a Friday morning gallop.

Wide-Open Jefferson Cup Kicks Off Rich Churchill Program

A well-matched group of eight 3-year-olds will go postward in Saturday's Jefferson Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT), the first of five graded stakes on the Churchill Downs' program.

Saint Liam Assigned 121 for Stephen Foster

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren's Saint Liam, winner of the Donn Handicap (gr. I) and Clark Handicap (gr. II), has been assigned high weight of 121 pounds for next Saturday's $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Nominations In for Stephen Foster Super Saturday at Churchill Downs

An impressive group of handicap runners headed by Saint Liam, Eddington, and Perfect Drift is included on a roster of 24 older horses nominated for the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs June 18.

Churchill Purses to Top $10 Million in 2005

With the doubling of the purse for the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) to $2 million, the total value of purses in Churchill Downs' 2005 schedule of stakes races will reach a record $10 million.

Perfect Drift Recovering From Throat Surgery

Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, winner of the 2003 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) and third to Colonial Colony in this year's renewal, is recovering from throat surgery to correct an entrapped epiglottis.

Foster Upsetter Fine, Trainer Needs Break

Lakeside Farm's Colonial Colony was reported to be doing well on the day after he shook the racing world with his stunning upset of favored Southern Image and an elite field in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 12 at Churchill Downs, but his trainer is worn out.

Colonial Colony Nips 'Image in Foster Shocker

Colonial Colony, the longest shot in the field at odds of 62-1 with 12 losses in a row, prevailed in a thrilling stretch drive with favored Southern Image to capture the $810,750 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) by a nose Saturday at Churchill Downs on a sloppy track.

Perfect Drift Defends Stephen Foster Title

Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, an upset winner over eventual Horse of the Year Mineshaft in last year's running of the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), will face some of the toughest handicap rivals in American racing when he bids for a second consecutive victory in Saturday's $750,000-added event at Churchill Downs.

Midway Road Confirmed for Stephen Foster

William S. Farish's Midway Road will remain at Churchill Downs to participate in Saturday's 23rd running of the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I). The field is also expected to include Southern Image, Peace Rules, and Perfect Drift.

Work Puts Perfect Drift On Edge for Foster

A strong five-furlong work on Saturday by Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift has trainer Murray Johnson looking forward to the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 12, his gelding's bid for a second consecutive victory in Churchill Downs' premier race for older horses.

Perfect Drift, Southern Image Top Foster Noms

Defending winner Perfect Drift, 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Funny Cide, Pimlico Special (gr. I) victor Southern Image, and Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) hero Peace Rules head a stellar group of 21 horses nominated to the 23rd running of Churchill Downs' $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) on June 12.

Aldebaran Returns in Tom Fool on Home Turf

Aldebaran, who finished third in the June 14 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, will shorten up from that race's nine-furlong distance when he competes in Friday's seven-furlong Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont.

Perfect Drift Deserves World Stage, Johnson Says

Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, who edged heavily favored Mineshaft in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), will get a little time to relax after the biggest win of his career. After that, the sky's the limit, says trainer Murray Johnson.

Record Purses for Churchill's Foster Day

Purses for Saturday's four stakes races that make up Churchill Downs' "Stephen Foster Super Saturday" card started out at $1.35 million, but they will soar considerably higher when the "added money" portion of the purses enter the mix.

Mineshaft Draws Outside in Stephen Foster

Mineshaft's attempt at a fourth straight graded stakes win will begin from post 12 in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Stephen Foster Handicap Field Shaping Up

Grade I winners Aldebaran and Mineshaft expected to headline Saturday's contest at Churchill Downs, while Pat Day now has the mount on Perfect Drift.

Mineshaft Tunes Up for Stephen Foster

Expected Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) favorite Mineshaft turned in a spectacular work Tuesday, breezing five furlongs in :59.60 over a fast Churchill Downs track. The move under exercise rider Annie Finney came just after the regular break for track maintenance and was the fastest of 31 at that distance.

Foster Candidates in Sharp Churchill Works

A pair of possible contenders for Saturday's main event, the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), turned in sizzling works on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Stephen Foster Field Taking Shape

As Saturday's deadline for nominations to the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) draws closer, the possible field for the $750,000 race is becoming clearer. Among the horses who could start next in the June 14 race are Aldebaran, Full Mandate, Proud Citizen, and Tenpins.