(White Abarrio / Photo by Coady Media)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

WHITE ABARRIO WORKS HALF-MILE IN :49.81 AT GULFSTREAM PARK

IN PREPARATION FOR $2 MILLION STEPHEN FOSTER ON JUNE 27

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, June 18, 2026) – Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner and Pegasus World Cup (GI) hero White Abarrio completed his final major preparation for the $2 million Stephen Foster (GI) on June 27 at Churchill Downs with a half-mile breeze in :49.81 Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

Owned by C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable, White Abarrio will enter the Stephen Foster in top form for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The 6-year-old has won 11 of 26 starts and earned more than $8.4 million, highlighted by victories in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, the 2025 Pegasus World Cup and this spring’s Oaklawn Handicap (GII).

“All the big wins are important, but I’d probably put (the Oaklawn Handicap) up there as one of the most exciting wins I’ve ever had as a trainer for our team,” Joseph said on the June 13 episode of HRRN’s Equine Forum presented by TwinSpires. “I’m very appreciative of the ownership group for getting the horse back and just the journey that we’ve been on. It’s been a wild one with ups and downs, and they stayed the course. When we needed to go slow, we went slow. And when we needed to pick it up, we did.

“It’s easy when you’re winning to do those things, but it’s a lot harder to make those decisions when things aren’t going right. When things are going right, decisions come a lot easier. When you’re not, sometimes you can get flustered and make the wrong decisions or make rash decisions. For them to stay the course, especially withSovereignty and Journalism, two top-class horses, and how the race materialized where all three horses fired and had no excuse, to come out on top that day was very rewarding.”

White Abarrio is expected to be among the favorites in the Stephen Foster, which headlines a seven-stakes program worth $4.1 million. Entries for the 12-race card will be drawn Saturday.

Possible Foster starters include Sovereignty, the reigning Horse of the Year and Kentucky Derby (GI) winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott; Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Magnitude for Steve Asmussen; Pennsylvania Derby (GI) winner Baeza, also trained by Mott; and White Abarrio.

The Stephen Foster, contested at 1 1/8 miles, is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). The race is supported by six other stakes, including the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) and $500,000 Wise Dan (GII).

Last year’s Stephen Foster produced one of the deepest fields of the season when Mindframe defeated Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone by one length. The race has also been a steppingstone for several Horse of the Year campaigns, including those of Black Tie Affair, Saint Liam, Curlin and Gun Runner.

For more information on Stephen Foster Day and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

ROYAL GUARD SETS COURSE RECORD WEDNESDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – A Churchill Downs turf course record that stood for 32 years fell Wednesday when FMQ Stables’ Royal Guard covered 1 ½ miles on grass in 2:26.30 in a $120,000 maiden special weight to eclipse Tikkanen’s 1994 Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade I) mark of 2:26.50.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Royal Guard rallied from last in the 10-horse field and drew off to a 4 ¾-length victory over War and Majesty.

“You don’t expect to break a record that’s been around that long,” Cox said. “Irad gave him a good trip off a fast pace and he ran very well.”

Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding, Royal Guard returned $6.92 as the 2.46-1 second choice in the wagering.

SEPTEMBER, FALL MEET TICKETS ON SALE – Tickets for the September and Fall racing meets at Churchill Downs are now on sale at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets. Guests also may call (502) 636-4450 or email groupsales@kyderby.com.

         The 14-date September Meet is scheduled for Sept. 10-27 and the 24-day Fall Meet, which includes the popular Thanksgiving holiday weekend, will cover Oct. 25-Nov. 29.

          September Meet highlights include:

  • Twilight Thursdays featuring $2 select domestic beer, live music, and food trucks (Thursdays, Sept. 10, Sept. 17 and Sept. 24).
  • 9/11 Observance/First Responders Day (Friday, Sept. 11)
  • Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Kickoff (Saturday, Sept. 12)
  • Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays, Sept. 13, Sept. 20 and Sept. 27)
  • Senior Day (Friday, Sept. 18)
  • Downs After Dark: Oktoberfest Theme (Saturday, Sept. 19)

Fall Meet highlights include:

  • Family Adventure Day: Trick or Treat at the Track/Stars of Tomorrow I (Sunday, Oct. 25)
  • Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29)
  • Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 4)
  • Veterans Day Observance/Military Appreciation Day (Sunday, Nov. 8)
  • Senior Day (Wednesday, Nov. 18)
  • Thanksgiving Weekend (Thursday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 29)
  • The Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Friday, Nov. 27)
  • Stars of Tomorrow II (Saturday, Nov. 28)

         Group packages for 12 or more, private dining room buyouts and luxury suite rentals are available through the Group Sales Department at (502) 636-4450 or groupsales@kyderby.com.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Live racing resumed Thursday for an eight-race card that began at 5 p.m. The evening honored local educators for Teacher Appreciation Night with discounted tickets on Millionaires’ Row. The festivities also included $2 domestic draft beer, live music from Josh Logan and local food trucks Bamba Egg Rolls, Burger World, FlavaVille, HurriKanes and Ramiro’s Cantina. … Following early morning thunderstorms, training was delayed until 8:15 a.m. The main track was sealed but is expected to be labeled as “fast” by the first race Thursday, barring any additional rain. The turf course was labeled as “firm.” … Thursday’s Derby City 6 Jackpot stood at $79,242 while the Jackpot 8 had a $175,058 carryover. … Saturday is Downs After Dark: “Stars & Stripes – America250,” a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday featuring a 10-race program. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first race is scheduled for 6 p.m. Special ticket packages are available by visiting www.churchilldowns.com

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility.www.ChurchillDowns.com.