Foster: Mystik Dan-Sierra Leone rematch + Hit Show, Mainframe

Jun 21, 2025 Jennie Rees No Comments

Churchill Downs stakes previews by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/Renee Torbit photo of just past the finish of the Kentucky Derby with victorious Mystik Dan, rail, having nosed out Sierra Leone, outside, and Forever Young in between)

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, June 21, 2025) – Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade I) winner Sierra Leone will square off against Kentucky Derby 150 champion Mystik Dan, Dubai World Cup (GI) hero Hit Show and Grade I-winning sprinter Mindframe in a showdown of North America’s top older horses in next Saturday’s 44^th running of the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) at Churchill Downs – a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster headlines a blockbuster 12-race program beneath the Twin Spires that also includes the 50^th running of the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII), a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Supporting stakes include the $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); $250,000 American Derby (Listed); and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).

First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Stephen Foster scheduled as Race 11 at 6:03 p.m.

The Stephen Foster will mark the first meeting between Sierra Leone and Mystik Dan at Churchill Downs since their dramatic three-horse photo finish in Kentucky Derby 150 where Mystik Dan edged Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a scant nose.

Sierra Leone, owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith,Westerberg Limited and Brook T. Smith, concluded his 3-year-old season with a 1 ½-length win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. The 4-year-old son of Gun Runner has trained for the Stephen Foster throughout the spring at trainer Chad Brown’s New York base and is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs early next week. Flavien Prat, who has ridden Sierra Leone in five starts since the Derby, will be aboard from post No. 4.

Mystik Dan, campaigned by 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm, returned to the winner’s circle last month with a 1 ¼-length score in the Blame Stakes (GIII) – the local prep for the Stephen Foster. The Kenny McPeek-trained colt has won three of his four career wins beneath the historic Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount from post 5.

Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, has been a model of consistency in his six-race career with four wins and two seconds. The Todd Pletcher trainee enters off a victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes (GI) on Derby Day. Mindframe will stretch out around two turns for the first time since his 3-year-old season while breaking from post 2 under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Hit Show, winner of the $12 million Dubai World Cup (GI) on April 5, will make his first start since that career-defining performance. Owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Brad Cox, the 5-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG) also sports victories in the Lukas Classic (GII) and Fayette Stakes (GII). He drew post 6 and will be ridden by Florent Geroux.

Cox also will saddle First Mission, a 4-year-old son of Street Sense owned by meet leaders Godolphin, who won the Oaklawn Handicap (GII) in April. First Mission will break from the rail with jockey Luis Saez aboard.

Another top older horse entered in the race is Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Skippylongstocking finished third in last year’s Stephen Foster to Kingsbarns and Pyranees. More recently, the 6-year-old son of Exaggerator won the Gold Cup (GII) at Santa Anita and the Challenger Stakes (GIII) at Tampa Bay Downs. Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet leading rider Jose Ortiz has the call from post 3.

The field for the Stephen Foster from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

First Mission (Saez, Cox)
Mindframe (Irad Ortiz Jr., Pletcher)
Skippylongstocking (Jose Ortiz, Joseph)
Sierra Leone (Prat, Brown)
Mystik Dan (Hernandez, McPeek)
Hit Show (Geroux, Cox)
Ashcroft (Julien Leparoux, Wayne Lukas)

The Stephen Foster is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series with the winner receiving an all-entry fees paid berth to the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar

Saturday’s card will feature a special $3 All Turf Pick 3 that includes the trio of turf stakes contests: the Wise Dan, American Derby and Tepin. The bet, which will have a horseplayer friendly 15-percent takeout, begins with the Tepin Stakes in Race 8.

Also on Saturday, the winning connections from Kentucky Derby (Sovereignty) and Kentucky Oaks (Good Cheer) 151 will be in attendance and honored with their trophies.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

THORPEDO ANNA SET TO RETURN IN GRADE II, $500,000 FASIG-TIPTON FLEUR DE LIS – Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is set to return to action next Saturday at Churchill Downs when she’ll face four fillies and mares entered in the 50^th running of the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (Grade II), a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI).

The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is one of six stakes contests on the spectacular 12-race program headlined by the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) in Race 7.

The Fleur de Lis will go as Race 7 at 3:52 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.

Aside from the Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis, the program also will include the $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); $250,000 American Derby (Listed); and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).

Thorpedo Anna, owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing, will attempt to rebound following a troubled seventh-place finish in the Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (GI) where she was bumped repeatedly into the first turn. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the now 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna had a tremendous 3-year-old season capped by victories in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), Acorn (GI), Coaching Club American Oaks (GI), Cotillion (GI) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI).

Thorpedo Anna began her 2025 campaign with victories in the Azeri (GII) and Apple Blossom (GI) at Oaklawn prior to her disappointing effort in the La Troienne. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will have the ride from post No. 3.

The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis field also includes Richard Bahde’s Fasig-Tipton La Troienne runner-up Taxed; Breffni Farm’s Shawnee (GIII) winner Royal Spa; and Calumet Farm’s Doubledogdare (GIII) winner Gin Gin.

The field for the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Royal Spa (Flavien Prat, Rodolphe Brisset)
Save Time (Irad Ortiz Jr., Saffie Joseph Jr.)
Thorpedo Anna (Hernandez, McPeek)
Gin Gin (Jose Ortiz, Brendan Walsh)
Taxed (Rafael Bejarano, Randy Morse)

The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series where the winner will receive an all-entry fee paid berth to the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Saturday’s card also will feature a special $3 All Turf Pick 3 that includes the trio of turf stakes contests: the Wise Dan, American Derby and Tepin. The bet, which will have a horseplayer friendly 15 percent takeout, begins with the Tepin Stakes in Race 8.

ARLINGTON STAKES WINNER MERCANTE RETURNS FOR GRADE II, $500,000 WISE DAN – Carl Pollard’s talented 5-year-old Mercante will lead a field of nine turf specialists that entered next Saturday’s 36^th running of the $500,000 Wise Dan (Grade II), one of six stakes on the blockbuster Stephen Foster Day program.

The Wise Dan at 1 1/16 miles on turf was carded as Race 10 of 12 with post time of 5:31 p.m. (all times Eastern).

The tremendous 12-race card also includes the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI); $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); $250,000 American Derby (Listed); and $250,000 Tepin. First post is 12:45 p.m.

Mercante, trained by Brian Knippenberg, was a gutsy winner of last month’s Arlington Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs, defeating fellow Wise Dan competitor Brilliant Berti by a neck. Prior to the Arlington, Mercante was victorious over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in the Kentucky Cup Classic (GIII) and finished three-quarters of a length behind Spirit of St Louis in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (GI) on Kentucky Derby Day. Jockey Joe Ramos, who’s been aboard Mercante in his last four starts, will retain the mount for the Wise Dan and break from post No. 4.

Brilliant Berti will attempt to turn the tables on Mercante in the Wise Dan. Owned and bred by Klein Racing, Brilliant Berti’s 10-race resumé includes six victories including the Bryan Station (GIII), American Derby (Listed), Opening Verse (Listed) and Gun Runner Stakes. The Cherie DeVaux trainee will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. out of post 7.

Also entered in the race is Grade II winner Mi Hermano Ramon. Owned by Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners and Red Baron’s Barn and trained by Mark Glatt, Mi Hermano Ramon won last year’s Seabiscuit Handicap (GII) at Del Mar. Most recently, the 5-year-old son of Creative Cause just missed winning the Shoemaker Mile (GI) at Santa Anita, finishing a neck behind King of Gosford. Jockey Antonio Fresu has the call in the Wise Dan from post 3.

Another accomplished horse entered in the race is Magic Cap Stables’ Fort Washington, who was victorious in both the Dinner Party (GIII) and Canadian Turf (GIII) in his last two starts. Trained byShug McGaughey III, Fort Washington has won six of 26 starts while banking purse earnings of $724,922. The 6-year-old son of War Front will have Kentucky Derby 151-winning rider Junior Alvarado in the saddle out of post 8.

The complete field for the Wise Dan in order of post position (with jockey and trainer):

Henro (Rafael Bejarano, Chris Hartman)
Lagynos (Flavien Prat, Steve Asmussen)
Mi Hermano Ramon (Fresu, Glatt)
Mercante (Ramos, Knippenberg)
Event Detail (Irad Ortiz Jr., Will Walden)
Taking Candy (Jose Ortiz, DeVaux)
Brilliant Berti (Hernandez, DeVaux)
Fort Washington (Alvarado, McGaughey)
Seminole Chief (Luis Saez, Jack Sisterson)

The Wise Dan is part of a special $3 All Turf Pick 3 that will be offered on Saturday’s wagering menu. The bet will also include the American Derby and Tepin Stakes.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER BOOTH HEADLINES GRADE III, $250,000 KELLY’S LANDING – Multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Booth is set to face an uber-competitive cast of eight horses in the 15^th running of the $250,000 Kelly’s Landing Stakes (Grade III), one of six stakes contests on next Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day program at Churchill Downs.

Run at 6 ½ furlongs, the Kelly’s Landing will go as the ninth race on the 12-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Kelly’s Landing scheduled to go off at 4:58 p.m.

Along with the Kelly’s Landing, Saturday’s card also includes the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI); $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII); $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 American Derby (Listed); and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).

Owned by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm and Whispering Oaks Farm, Booth is a seven-time winner from 11-career starts. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Booth’s resumé is highlighted by victories in the Whitmore Stakes (GIII), Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (GIII) and, most recently, the Maryland Sprint (GIII). Booth enters the Kelly’s Landing with victories in his last four starts, all ridden by Asmussen’s son, Erik Asmussen. He’ll once again have the mount on the 4-year-old son of Mitole and break from No. 3.

Another top competitor in the Kelly’s Landing is David Jacobson’s Durante, a shocking 33-1 victor of the May 31 Aristides Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs, defeating World Record and Happy Is a Choice by a length. The veteran 6-year-old gelding sports a solid record with 10 victories, six runner-up finishes and five thirds from 38 starts while banking purse earnings of $821,743. Durante will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 8

Also entered in the race is Southern California invader Dr. Venkman, the winner of last year’s San Diego Handicap (GII). Owned by Alipony Racing, Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch and James Hailey, Dr. Venkman made his 5-year-old debut last month with a runner-up effort to Nysos, one of the nation’s top older horses based in California. The Mark Glatt trainee will be ridden by Antonio Fresu from the rail.

The field for the Kelly’s Landing from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Dr. Venkman (Fresu, Glatt)
Three Technique (Rafael Bejarano, Jason Cook)
Booth (Erik Asmussen, Steve Asmussen)
Roll On Big Joe (Julien Leparoux, Bob Hess Jr.)
Otto the Conqueror (Flavien Prat, Steve Asmussen)
Happy Is a Choice (Rey Gutierrez, John Ortiz)
Red Flag (Irad Ortiz Jr., Bob Hess Jr.)
Durante (Ortiz, Jacobson)

LOUISIANA DERBY WINNER TIZTASTIC SET FOR TURF RETURN IN $250,000 AMERICAN DERBY – Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) winner Tiztastic is set to return to turf and face nine fellow 3-year-olds entered in next Saturday’s 110^th running of the $250,000 American Derby (Listed) at Churchill Downs.

The American Derby, run at 1 1/16 miles, is one of six stakes contests on the tremendous 12-race card. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the American Derby going as the finale at 6:32 p.m.

Also included on the program is the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI); $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII); $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); and $250,000 Tepin (Listed).

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Tiztastic most recently finished 10^th in Kentucky Derby 151. His 3-year-old season was capped by a 2 ¼-length score in the March 22 TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby. As a 2-year-old, the son of Tiz the Law won two turf races in 11 days at Kentucky Downs – a $253,600 restricted allowance contest and $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile (Listed). Tiztastic will be ridden by Joel Rosario out of post No. 3.

The American Derby field also includes OXO Equine’s Bourbon Stakes (GII) winner Minaret Station; Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) runner-up Flying Mohawk; Blinkers On Racing Stable, Janlois Racing, Valinor Racing Stable, Tom Corbett, Andy Kwan and Jay Lester Wagner’s two-time stakes winner Freedom’s Not Free; and West Point Thoroughbreds, David Ingordo and CJ Stables’ James W. Murphy Stakes winner Reagan’s Wit.

The field for the American Derby from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Reagan’s Wit (Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux)
Flying Mohawk (Frankie Dettori, Whit Beckman)
Tiztastic (Rosario, Asmussen)
Siesta Key (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox)
Minaret Station (Cristian Torres, Will Walden)
Native Runner (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek)
Soleil Volant (Irad Ortiz Jr., Graham Motion)
Freedom’s Not Free (Antonio Fresu, Mark Glatt)
Giocoso (Ben Curtis, Keith Desormeaux)
Anegada (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)

The American Derby is part of a special $3 All Turf Pick 3 that will be offered on Saturday’s wagering menu. The bet also will include the Wise Dan and Tepin Stakes.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

GRADE III WINNER VIXEN CHALLENGES COMPETITIVE 3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES IN $250,000 TEPIN – D. J. Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Grade III winner Vixen will face a competitive cast of eight 3-year-old fillies that will take the stage in next Saturday’s sixth running of the $250,000 Tepin Stakes (Listed), one of six stakes contests on the Stephen Foster Day program at Churchill Downs.

Run at one mile on turf, the Tepin will go as the eighth race on the 12-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). Post time of the Tepin is 4:25 p.m.

Along with the Tepin, the blockbuster card also features the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI); $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (GII); $500,000 Wise Dan (GII); $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (GIII); and $250,000 American Derby (Listed).

Vixen has finished behind her Mark Casse stablemate Nitrogen – the nation’s top 3-year-old filly on turf – in her previous two starts: a third in the $600,000 Edgewood (GII) and a second $500,000 Appalachian (GII). Prior to those races, Vixen scored a neck victory as the 4-5 favorite in the $205,000 Herecomesthebride (GIII) in early March at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Vekoma will be ridden byIrad Ortiz Jr. from post No. 6.

Also entered in the Tepin is multiple graded stakes-placed Lush Lips (GB), who also finished behind Nitrogen in her prior two starts. Owned by Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Stewart Hoffman, Mrs. Paul Shanahan and Mrs. M.V. Magnier, Lush Lips (GB) was the runner-up by 3 ½ lengths in the Edgewood to Nitrogen and finished a half-length behind her in the $200,000 Florida Oaks (GIII) in early March. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns (IRE) will be piloted by Flavien Prat from post 5.

The Tepin Stakes field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Fixin to Bee (Manny Franco, Rusty Arnold II)
Something Stronger (James Graham, Al Stall Jr.)
Love You Anyway (Luis Saez, Rusty Arnold II)
Princess Attitude (Junior Alvarado, Vicki Oliver)
Lush Lips (Prat, Walsh)
Vixen (Ortiz, Casse)
Ninth Island (Brian Hernandez Jr., Bret Calhoun)
Favor to You (Antonio Fresu, Phil D’Amato)

The Tepin Stakes is part of a special $3 All Turf Pick 3 that will be offered on Saturday’s wagering menu. The bet also will include the Wise Dan and American Derby.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Stephen Foster day at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

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