Coach Brad Cox reported June 17 that Juddmonte’s 2021 Kentucky Derby is presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) Mandaloun is the target for $750,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) on July 2 at Churchill Downs.
Mandaloun, who won last year’s Derby after being eliminated Medina Spirit , finished ninth in the $20 million Saudi Arabia Cup (G1) in his final warm-up. After the Saudi Arabia Cup, Mandaloun was delayed to return to the US but has been working at Churchill since May 8.
“He’s been training really well on this track so it makes sense to target a race like Foster at home,” Cox said. “We’re still open to our options but this race you don’t have to ship and can run out of your own booth.”
Since the race began in 1982, there have been no winners in both the Kentucky Derby and Stephen Foster.
Stephen Foster is the Breeders ‘Cup’s “Win and You’re In” event for the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 5 at Keeneland.
Stephen Foster Day will also include $350,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) fill and older mares. This year’s 1/8 mile 1/8th race is not a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, although it is part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen, which awards credits to Breeders ‘Cup for first to third place finish.
