First Mission, Skippylongstocking Vie in Stephen Foster

The final time First Mission  and Skippylongstocking  raced in a grade 1 within the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), neither carried out anyplace close to expectations. Godolphin’s First Mission struggled over the Gulfstream Park predominant observe, coach Brad Cox stated, working ninth, crushed 20 1/2 lengths, and Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking fared even worse, being pulled up late whereas showing to overheat.

Each have since rebounded, successful a pair of graded stakes apiece, and now they lead a area of 9 within the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) June 29 at Churchill Downs.

The marquee race of the second half of the Louisville, Ky., observe’s spring meet, the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster is a Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence occasion for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) at Del Mar.

Although not one of the Stephen Foster opponents have but gained a grade 1 on filth—longshot Traditional Causeway  took the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) on turf two years in the past—a number of have contended in high firm, together with Skippylongstocking.

Two years in the past, as a 3-year-old, he ran third within the Belmont Stakes (G1), and final yr as a 4-year-old, he was third within the Breeders’ Cup Grime Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

This yr, he’s 2-for-3, having bounced again from his Pegasus to win the March 9 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs for the second straight yr and the April 20 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park for coach Saffie Joseph Jr.

Favored #10 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING gained the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) over #1 Highland Falls. @jose93_ortiz up for coach @SaffieJosephJr on the son of Exaggerator. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/uexxSP9x5m

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 20, 2024

The 5-year-old son of Exaggerator  earned a career-best 114 Equibase Velocity Determine in taking the Oaklawn Handicap by two lengths underneath Jose Ortiz, who returns within the irons Saturday.

First Mission earned a touch greater 115 ESF in capturing the Could 3 Alysheba Stakes (G2) on Kentucky Oaks (G1) day at Churchill Downs when he splashed to a four-length victory over Japanese longshot T O Saint Denis . Earlier than that race, he captured the Essex Handicap (G3) by 5 lengths in a bounce-back efficiency from the Pegasus.

A 4-year-old son of Road Sense  , he gained the Lexington Stakes (G3) final yr at Keeneland and was second within the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill in his last 3-year-old outing.

Florent Geroux rides the colt, who’s drawn in put up 2, in comparison with put up 9 for Skippylongstocking.

Pair of 2023 Kentucky Derby Runners in Subject

Two alumni from the 2023 Kentucky Derby, fourth-place Disarm  and 14th-place Kingsbarns , lead the opposition.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Disarm, a 4-year-old son of Gun Runner  , gained the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) just a little greater than a yr in the past and was later second within the Travers Stakes (G1) over the summer time earlier than returning as a workmanlike winner in a slow-placed allowance non-compulsory claiming race Could 18 at Churchill. Joel Rosario rides for Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen.

Spendthrift Farm’s Kingsbarns, who captured the Louisiana Derby (G2) final yr for Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher, gained his first two races of 2024, together with the April 20 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. Most lately, the Uncle Mo   4-year-old colt was second to fellow Stephen Foster participant Pyrenees  within the Could 17 Pimlico Particular Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

Carded because the eleventh race, the Stephen Foster is the spotlight of a stakes-filled program at Churchill Downs that additionally consists of the $500,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), the $500,000 Smart Dan Stakes (G2T), the $250,000 American Derby, the $250,000 Kelly’s Touchdown Stakes and the $250,000 Tepin Stakes. Publish time for the Stephen Foster is 6:03 p.m. ET.

Earlier Saturday at Churchill, the connections of this yr’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks winners—Mystik Dan  and Thorpedo Anna , respectively—can be offered with their engraved trophies throughout a winner’s circle ceremony between races. The trophies will even be on show beforehand for picture alternatives.