Cornucopian works (5F, 1:00) for possible start in G3 Bango
Friday’s Churchill Downs barn notes by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/Pumita Rodriguez photo of Cornucopian winning Churchill Downs’ Aristides)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, June 19, 2026) – Several horses nominated to stakes races on next Saturday’s Stephen Foster Day program continued their preparations Friday morning at Churchill Downs, highlighted by graded stakes winners Cornucopian and Mercante among 117 horses that recorded published workouts beneath the Twin Spires.
Cornucopian, winner of last month’s Aristides Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs, breezed five furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Bob Baffert and is possible to make his next start in the $275,000 Bango Stakes (GIII).
Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings-Lessee, Cornucopian defeated Roll On Big Joe by 1 ¼ lengths in the Aristides as the 3-5 favorite.
Later in the morning, Carl Pollard’s homebred Mercante returned to the work tab with a half-mile move in :48.60 from the gate under jockey Florent Geroux. The 6-year-old son of Gun Runner captured last year’s TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic (GIII) at Turfway Park and Arlington Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs. Mercante is nominated to the $500,000 Wise Dan Stakes (GII) where he could renew his rivalry with this year’s Arlington winner Lagynos.
Rigney Racing’s Tam Tam also posted one of the morning’s sharpest moves, covering a half-mile in :46.60 for trainer Phil Bauer. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was the beaten 2-1 favorite in last month’s Regret Stakes (GIII) and is targeting the $275,000 Tepin Stakes (Listed) for 3-year-old fillies.
The June 27 Stephen Foster Day program features seven stakes races worth a combined $4.1 million, led by the $2 million Stephen Foster (GI), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race for the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).
Entries and post positions for Stephen Foster Day’s 12-race blockbuster program will take place Saturday.
DOWNS AFTER DARK RETURNS SATURDAY WITH STARS & STRIPES: AMERICA250 CELEBRATION – Churchill Downs’ popular Downs After Dark series returns Saturday with a patriotic edition, “Stars & Stripes: America250,” celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday with a 10-race card, live music, food and festivities.
Gates open at 5 p.m. (all times Eastern) and the first race is scheduled for 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue to join the America250 celebration.
Live entertainment on the Paddock Terrace Stage will begin at 5 p.m. with country band Murphy 500, followed by Louisville-based DJ and producer GudGroove at 8 p.m.
Fans can enjoy a variety of event attractions, including a patriotic pop-up shop featuring Churchill Downs-themed apparel and accessories, as well as a limited-edition America250 bandana giveaway for the first 500 guests who visit the second-floor photo opportunity area.
Food and beverage offerings will include Trackside Smoker favorites, specialty cocktails and beverages from Ten20 Craft Brewery and Tractor Beverage.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Flavien Prat is scheduled to do a two-state stakes double Saturday where he’s named to ride Desert Gate in the Ohio Derby (GIII) at Thistledown and then fly to Churchill Downs to ride Usha in the Chicago Stakes (GII). … Leading trainer Joe Sharp has loaded the entry box for the closing week at Churchill Downs with five horses entered Wednesday and 10 horses entered Thursday. Sharp enter Saturday’s card with a 21-19 win lead over Brad Cox after winning two races Thursday. … Trainer Bill Mott reported his Stephen Foster duo of Sovereignty and Baeza will arrive at Churchill Downs on Tuesday from Saratoga. … Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Stephen Foster contender White Abarrio will van from Gulfstream Park to Churchill Downs Sunday and arrive early Monday. … Jockeys Ben Curtis and Danny Sheehy both reported they will stay in Kentucky this summer to ride at Ellis Park instead of going to Colonial Downs. … Trainer Phil Bauer said he’ll keep his stable in Kentucky to run at Ellis Park. In recent years, Bauer had a barn at Saratoga. … “Inside Churchill Downs” returns Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7 to preview Saturday’s Downs After Dark program. Those outside the Louisville area can stream the show live on www.espnlouisville.com.
