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2010 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1)

Date/Track:
6/12/2010, Churchill Downs
Distance:
1 1/8 m (Dirt)
Age/Sex:
4+ M
Time:
1:49.37

What the Nation is saying about the 2010 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1)...

Watching the replay of the Stephen Foster Handicap again. I think Javier Castellono put the whip away too early on Battle Plan. He got out on the lead in the stretch, and I believe Castellono thought he'd be able to hand ride Battle Plan from there and cruise on home. Castellono certainly didn't realize that Blame was flying at him late the way he was. Because by the time Castellono grabbed his whip and started using again on Battle Plan, it was too late. Blame was already by him, and under the wire. JMO.
That's 6 wins and 1 place effort in 7 lifetime starts over conventional dirt now for Blame. He's also proven he can win against Grade 1 company with his fantastic run in the Stephen Foster Handicap. I don't know about the rest of America's racing fans? But the prospect of a Quality Road vs. Blame match-up, over conventional dirt, seems like an awfully appealing race at this point in the 2010 racing season. Since Todd Pletcher had stated publicly that Quality Road will go to Saratoga this summer to race in both the Whitney Handicap and the Woodward Stakes. I think a race with both horses in the field in either one of these two races would make for an exciting race. I think it's more likely, if Blame's connections were to send him to Saratoga to race Quality Road, that the two would meet in the Whitney Handicap, more than the Woodward Stakes. Because likely Quality Road would have to give Blame at least a couple of pounds in the handicap division. But I think these two horses going at each other on dirt would make for as an exciting of a race as any other potential match-up right now in racing. JMO.
Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Blame unleashed a furious drive in the final eighth of a mile to surge past favored Battle Plan by three-quarters of a length to win the 29th running of the $671,700 Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) for 3-year-olds and up on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.Read More
  • gardenesque1 · Great effort by Blame. I did not think he was going to catch Battle Plan but he finished full of run. Interesting that Rachel Alexandra ran faster (1:48.78) in the Fleur de Lis. Blame completed his nine furlong journey in 1:49.37. Take nothing away from the sharp Foster winner but I think Rachel would've beat the boys. The second half of the year is suddenly exciting with such stars as Blame, Quality Road, a resurgent Rachel, and Zenyatta on top of their games. · 1103 days ago ·
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  • rossington · If I had to put out rankings today, after the races this weekend. I'd say that Quality Road is the top older male in America on conventional dirt. But Blame, after this impressive win in the Stephen Foster Handicap, would certainly be breathing down Quality Road's neck now for that top slot. I don't think it's even close for older males on synthetics. Rail Trip is dominating everyone out west that races him over the synthetic tracks in California. But mathematics don't lie. 17 for 17 is not an easy feat to accomplish. I don't care if you're racing donkeys night in and night out. I'd have Zenyatta rated as the top older horse, or horse period, in America, male or female, outright. And she'd stay at the top of that list until someone proves that she can be beat. Rachel Alexandra ran a very nice race in the Fleur di Lis at Churchill Downs. Certainly looking more improved. But I'm not sure she'd be at the top of any of my list just yet. Because don't forget, she lost her first two races to fillies and mares that should've been far inferior to her. So I'm not going to slap her right back towards the top, just because she finally won a race in 2010. She's still only 1 for 3. That's not the numbers of a top class thoroughbred. Especially given the fact that she had to drop down to a Grade 2 level race to get that win. TJMO. · 1101 days ago ·
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Multiple Grade 2 winner BLAME (Arch) will bring a three-race winning streak into the $600,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1), including an excellent victory in the Clark H. (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall, and rates as the horse to beat in Saturday's 1 1/8-mile event. However, the Al Stall Jr. runner didn...Read More
  • medlocke · Should he win the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs today? I think that Blame would then have to be the only other older colt that would potentially be considered at the level that Quality Road is at right now racing over conventional dirt. Quality Road's achievements are more impressive because he has more than one Grade 1 victory to his credit. Blame, while having won 5 of 6 races over conventional dirt, and his only loss being a 2nd to Regal Ransom in the Super Derby, has yet to land a Grade 1 Stakes. He has three Grade 2 win's. One Grade 3 win. Plus, he also has one allowance win and a win in the Curlin Stakes, which is a listed stakes. But I don't think there's any question that Blame is colt that's more than ready to face Grade 1 competition. The Stephen Foster Handicap should be a very good gauge as to how this colt will handle the step up in competition. Should he win the Stephen Foster today? I'd love the prospect of Blame going to Saratoga as well this summer and potentially facing Quality Road in either the Whitney Handicap or the Woodward Stakes. Which are the two races that Todd Pletcher has stated Quality Road will race in at Saratoga this summer. · 1103 days ago ·
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Saturday’s pick six from Churchill Downs includes a carryover of more than $57,000 (races 6-11). Five Graded races are part of the sequence including the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap for 3-year-olds and up traveling nine furlongs on the main track. Rachel Alexandra tries to get back on the b...Read More
So I'm commingling a couple of my favorite topics tonight. We've got the Stephen Foster, the biggest race not including Rachel Alexandra (she's on the Churchill undercard - that's kinda like Smokin' Joe Frazier being on the undercard) or Zenyatta tomorrow and Top Chef DC getting ready to kick off ne...Read More
Jason, Evan, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Stephen Foster (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on June 12.Read More
The Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) announced Thursday it will broadcast live from Churchill Downs this Saturday to provide exclusive radio coverage of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap.  HRRN’s two hour broadcast will air from 4:00 – 6:00 ET and include bonus coverage of the Grade 3 North...Read More
While the connections of Rachel Alexandra are still undecided about which stakes race the filly will run in June 12, two Churchill Downs events for which the Horse of the Year is being considered are taking shape. According to Churchill Downs racing officials, eigh...Read More
  • medlocke · If Blame were to win the Stephen Foster Handicap? That would make him 6 for 7 lifetime, with 1 place, all over conventional dirt, should he win? If he does, I think you'd have to then put him as the top contender among older males that could potentially rate with Quality Road. His stat's are as equally impressive as Quality Road's right now as far as win's, place, and shows. Except Blame has yet to win a Grade 1 Stakes race. He has three Grade 2, and one Grade 3 Stakes win's in his five lifetime wins. But winning the Stephen Foster Handicap would give him his first Grade 1 win. I really believe you'd then have to start thinking about sending this colt to Saratoga for the Whitney Handicap or the Woodward Stakes to take his shot at Quality Road for the #1 older male on conventional dirt in America. Should he get the job done at Churchill Downs in the Stephen Foster Handicap? TJMO. · 1108 days ago ·
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Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra completed her serious preparation for a planned return to competition on Saturday with a half-mile work Monday at Churchill Downs.Now all that is left to be determined is which race she will be running in.Rachel Alexandra covered the distance over a fast t...Read More
That is the question. I am heading down to Churchill Downs this Saturday for two somewhat disproportionate reasons; to see what should be a strong edition of the Stephen Foster Handicap, and to get my first glimpse of Rachel Alexandra this year.  Sure the Foster is a big race, but truth be...Read More
The Virginia H. Tarra Trust's GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) signaled his readiness for Saturday's 29th running of the $600,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1) by working a bullet five furlongs in :59 3/5 over the fast track at Churchill Downs after the renovation break Sunday morning. With jockey Shaun Bridgm...Read More
Macho Again had his final workout in preparation of his defense of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap when he breezed five furlongs in 1:02.20 with regular rider Robby Albarado aboard Friday morning at Churchill Downs. Macho Again is one of at least six older horses expected to run next Saturday, J...Read More
Four races are under consideration for the next start of reigning Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro), majority owner Jess Jackson said in a statement released Tuesday. The four races, all scheduled for June 12, are the $600,000 Stephen Foster H. (G1) and $200,000 Fleur de Lis H. (G2...Read More
  • Show All 4 Comments
  • Mistique1990 · I hope she wins. I am wishing she starts winning again. And goes too the Breeders cup classic. Which i know wont happen. You Go girl · 1112 days ago ·
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  • gardenesque1 · I agree Mistique1990. I also want to see Rachel win again. As racing fans we should be grateful that Rachel and Zenyatta are still running and not off to the breeding shed. · 1112 days ago ·
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Rachel Alexandra sped things up a bit with her third straight Monday morning workout at Churchill Downs, going five furlongs in 1:00.40. With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard at about 6:30 a.m. and over a fast track, the 2009 Horse of the Year went in splits of 12.20, 24.20, 36.20, 48.40, before galloping ou...Read More
It looks like owner/trainer/one man show Tom McCarthy is sending his star colt General Quarters to contest Churchill Downs second most prestigious race; the Foster Handicap. General Quarters was last seen scoring an upset victory in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Derby under card...Read More
It may be June at Churchill Downs or June or July at Hollywood Park before the undefeated champion Zenyatta makes her next start. Sunday, the focus for the people behind Zenyatta was not finalizing plans for her next start, but getting the wildly popular 6-year-old mare from Hot Springs, Ark., where...Read More
Last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird, has just resumed training at his home base of Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell, N.M., and later this spring is expected to set up shop at Churchill Downs, trainer Chip Woolley said. It was at the Louisville, Ky., track last May that the horse closed fr...Read More

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