Stephen Foster: Churchill Meet Continues at Ellis Park

The Churchill Downs meet continues on at its alternate location. Ellis Park has taken over the cards and horses from the Derby track while the track undergoes review. On Saturday they will run the Stephen Foster which is one of the premier summer races in Kentucky.

Saturday Ellis Park Full Card Selections

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 1

Post: 11:45 AM CT; $58k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #7 SAPPHIRE NIGHTS (5-2) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one seems to fit really well here.
• #2 BOOTSY'S MERLOT (9-2) makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 WHATTA WORLD (5-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She has hit the board in previous races and could likely do the same here.
• #10 CAT'S CAVE (6-1) should improve off the first start and should get the benefit of a little race fitness. The debut was solid for this type of class level.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 5 – 10

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 2

Post: 12:14 PM CT; $120k Maiden Special Weight going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 ABSINTHE (3-1) should improve off the first start and is the top pick. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Gaffalione. This one is well bred for this spot.
• #3 PUMPKIN SCONE (5-2) ran very well at first asking and will look to take a step forward with a race under her belt. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #1 FANCY (7-2) should be competitive in this spot. She looks to be the class of the field.
• #7 HAPPY AM I (8-1) is an interesting long shot that could play a role underneath in the exotics.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 1 – 7

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 3

Post: 12:43 PM CT; $225k American Derby going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 6

• #2 WADSWORTH (9-5) looks best here on speed figures alone. This one could be tough.
• #1 MO STASH (2-1) should be competitive in this spot. He comes into the race in really good form. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 HIDDEN PATH (6-1) may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 GIGANTE (4-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Gaffalione.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 4

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 4

Post: 1:13 PM CT; $120k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #3 TOP OF THE STREET (3-1) gets the top selection. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #9 LIBERAL ARTS (4-1) should improve off the first start and appears to be a major player in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 EDIFIED (6-1) debuts here and could be in with a shot in this race. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Rosario. Despite the connections this one is a pretty big price on the line which doesn’t instill confidence.
• #5 MENTHA (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 3 – 9 – 2 – 5

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 5

Post: 1:45 PM CT; $134k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 15

• #4 FANCY MARTINI (4-1) is the top pick. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #14 ONE TIME MO (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She makes sense on speed figures.
• #9 UNDER ONE SKY (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She has races good enough to beat this group and comes into the race in really good form.
• #11 SHE'S GONE (8-1) has been running well of late. The wide trip isn’t ideal but this one has every right to get involved at a square price.

Selections: 4 – 14- 9 – 11

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 6

Post: 2:18 PM CT; $225k Kelly's Landing S. going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 BANGO (2-1) looks best here. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 MILES AHEAD (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He fits this group really well based on speed figures. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Mcgee and Garcia.
• #7 TEJANO TWIST (3-1) has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #1 FORTIN HILL (12-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 7 – 1

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 7

Post: 2:50 PM CT; $134k Allowance Optional Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #6 HOIST THE GOLD (1-1) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 7 furlong distance. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. It looks like they all might be running for 2nd here.
• #11 BRON AND BROW (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 MR. BIG NEWS (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He goes out for the Calhoun barn and gets Lanerie in the irons. This one seems to fit well enough here to factor underneath.
• #12 READY TO POUNCE (10-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one goes out for the Pessin barn and gets Gaffalione in the irons.

Selections: 6 – 11- 4 – 12

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 8

Post: 3:22 PM CT; $400k Fleur de Lis S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 A MO REAY (8-5) is the top pick. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #5 PAULINE'S PEARL (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She goes out for the Asmussen barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #1 BELLAMORE (5-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 ROYAL TAKE CHARGE (6-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one may have the opportunity to get an early jump on some of the deeper closing runners.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 1 – 3

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 9

Post: 3:55 PM CT; $400k Wise Dan S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #8 SET PIECE (4-5) looks best here. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #4 GET SMOKIN (5-1) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures. The recent form of this one is very solid.
• #1 HARLAN ESTATE (10-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #3 CAMP HOPE (5-1) isn't without hope and should have the stamina to get the distance. The cozy draw on this one should work to his advantage.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 1 – 3

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 10

Post: 4:26 PM CT; $1000k Stephen Foster S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 WEST WILL POWER (7-2) gets the top selection. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #1 PROXY (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Stidham and Rosario. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #4 RATTLE N ROLL (4-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 STILLETO BOY (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He has back numbers that absolutely make him a factor.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 4 – 2

Stephen Foster Day at Ellis Park- Race 11

Post: 4:58 PM CT; $225k Tepin S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #3 HEAVENLY SUNDAY (5-2) is the top pick. This one has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #5 XIGERA (2-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 WONDERFULL LADY (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here. This one has races that fit here.
• #2 SAFEEN (5-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She is likely to get her position going forward which could mean good things coming for home.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 2