Mandaloun's return in Stephen Foster highlights final days of Churchill Downs' Spring Meet
The final weekend of Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet will feature the return of Mandaloun, disputed winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Mandaloun, trained by Louisville native Brad Cox, is one of seven horses entered in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 2 Stephen Foster. The race is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
Mandaloun was second across the finish line in the 2021 Kentucky Derby but declared the winner after the disqualification of Medina Spirit. Mandaloun won his next three starts after the Kentucky Derby — including the Grade 1 Haskell and Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes — but enters the Stephen Foster following a ninth-place finish Feb. 26 in the Saudi Cup.
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He was delayed in his return to the United States but has been working at Churchill since May 8.
“He’s been doing great training over this track, so it makes sense to target a race like the Foster that is at home,” Cox said. “We kept our options open, but this race you don’t have to ship and can run out of your own stall.”
The Bill Mott-trained Olympiad figures to be another top contender in the Stephen Foster. The 4-year-old son of Speightstown has won four straight starts, including the Grade 2 Alysheba on May 6 at Churchill.
Churchill Downs officials announced Tuesday its turf course will remain closed through the end of the meet. The $350,000, Grade 2 Wise Dan scheduled for Saturday was canceled, and three other stakes races scheduled for the turf were moved to the dirt track.
The turf course has been closed since June 11.
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“The root system for the new Bermuda-hybrid continues to mature each day and its development has benefited from the warm climate and 2 ½-week rest, but it’s not where we want it to be just yet,” Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson said. “Additional time is needed for the course to become more robust, and we’ll give it time.”
Churchill canceled races June 15-16 due to extreme heat, the first time since 2012 a day's worth of races had been canceled at the track.
Here’s what to know about the final weekend of racing at Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet:
Thursday
Number of races: Eight.
Gates open: 4 p.m.
First post: 5 p.m.
Last post: 8:23 p.m.
Stakes: None.
Ticket prices: $42 reserved dining, $10 reserved seating, $7 general admission
TV: Fox Sports 2 (5-8:30 p.m.).
Notes: Twilight Thursday will feature $2 beers, live music and food trucks.
Friday
Number of races: 11.
Gates open: 11:30 a.m.
First post: 12:45 p.m.
Last post: 5:58 p.m.
Stakes: None.
Ticket prices: $42 reserved dining, $10 reserved seating, $7 general admission.
TV: Fox Sports 2 (12:30-5:30 p.m.).
Notes: There are two $120,000 maiden special weights on the card for 2-year-old fillies, both going five furlongs on dirt. The 2-1 morning-line favorite in the fourth race (2:13 p.m. post time) is Promise of Hope, a daughter of Ghostzapper and trained by Tom Amoss. She was a $65,000 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The 7-2 morning-line favorite in the seventh race (3:50 p.m. post time) is Personal Pursuit, a daughter of Tapit and trained by Mark Casse. He was a $500,00 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Saturday
Number of races: 12.
Gates open: 11:30 a.m.
First post: 12:45 p.m.
Last post: 6:45 p.m.
Stakes: $750,000, Grade 2 Stephen Foster; $350,000, Grade 2 Fleur de Lis; $200,000 American Derby; $200,000 Tepin; $160,000 Kelly’s Landing.
Ticket prices: $54 reserved dining, $12 reserved seating, $9 general admission.
TV: Fox Sports 1 (12:30-3 p.m.); Fox Sports 2 (3-5 p.m.); NBC (4-6 p.m.).
Notes: Shedaresthedevil, winner of the 2020 Kentucky Oaks, leads the five-horse field for the Fleur de Lis (4:22 p.m. post time). The 5-year old Shedaresthedevil, trained by Brad Cox, is 9-3-5 in 19 career starts and is 5 for 6 at Churchill Downs. … Connections from Rich Strike — owner Rick Dawson, trainer Eric Reed, jockey Sonny Leon and breeder Calumet Farm — will be at Churchill Downs on Saturday to accept their newly-engraved trophies for the colt’s come-from-behind upset victory in the Kentucky Derby. The ceremony in the Woodford Reserve Winner’s Circle is scheduled after Race 7, which has a post time of 3:55 p.m.
Sunday
Number of races: 10.
Gates open: 11:30 a.m.
First post: 12:45 p.m.
Last post: 5:26 p.m.
Stakes: $160,000 Anchorage; $160,000 Maxfield.
Ticket prices: $42 reserved dining, $10 reserved seating, $7 general admission.
TV: Fox Sports 2 (12:30-1:30 p.m.); Fox Sports 1 (1:30-5:30 p.m.).
Monday
Number of races: Nine.
Gates open: 11:30 a.m.
First post: 12:45 p.m.
Last post: 4:55 p.m.
Stakes: $175,000 Hanshin; $175,000 Bashford Manor; $175,000 Debutante.
Ticket prices: $42 reserved dining, $10 reserved seating, $7 general admission.
TV: Fox Sports 2 (12:30-6 p.m.).
Notes: The Bashford Manor and Debutante are both six-furlong races for promising 2-year-olds that could end up on the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks trails.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to know about final weekend of Churchill Downs' Spring Meet
