(Mandaloun / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

Juddmonte’s 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun is back on the Churchill Downs work tab following his ninth-place finish in February’s $20 million Saudi Cup (Grade I).

          “He worked an easy three-eighths last week and we came back (Sunday) with just an easy half-mile (in :49.20),” trainer Brad Cox said. “He got delayed coming back to Churchill from Saudi so we just wanted to be easy on him for a little while and get him back going. We’ll start to get more serious in the next few weeks.”

          The now 4-year-old Mandaloun started his 2022 campaign with a gutsy three-quarters of a length victory over the late Midnight Bourbon in the $150,000 Louisiana Stakes (GIII) at Fair Grounds.

          No immediate race was confirmed for Mandaloun but one of the local options he is eligible for is the $750,000 Stephen Foster (GII) on Saturday, July 2. The 1 1/8-mile event for older horses is a “Win and You’re In” for the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

          Nominations to the Stephen Foster close June 18 but one of the early probables is Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss Bros Racing and Gainesway Thoroughbreds’ Dubai World Cup (GI) runner-up Hot Rod Charlie, according to his trainer Doug O’Neill.

LOUISVILLE STAKES PROBABLES – Saturday’s featured race from Churchill Downs is the $200,000 Louisville Stakes (Grade III) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course. Here are some of the likely entrants, according to Churchill Downs stakes coordinator and assistant racing secretary Dan Bork: Ajounreytofreedom (trainer Mike Maker); Another Mystery (Chris Block); Bama Breeze (Rusty Arnold); Camp Hope (Kenny McPeek); Highland Chief (Graham Motion); Reigning Spirit (Al Stall Jr.); Shamrocket (Todd Pletcher); and Temple (Mike Maker).

          Entries for the Louisville will be taken Wednesday.

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS RACING TO AIR ON FOX SPORTS – Churchill Downs racing will air throughout the Spring Meet on the Fox Sports family of networks as part of “America’s Day at the Races,” which is produced by the New York Racing Association. Racing this week from Churchill Downs will air at the following times:

          Sunday: 12:30-5:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 2

          Thursday: 3-8:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 2

          Friday: 12:30-5:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 2

          Saturday: 12:30-6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 2

          Sunday, May 22: 12:30-5:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 2

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing continued Sunday with a 12:45 p.m. first post. The 20-cent Derby City 6 had a three-day carryover of $13,000. The sequence spanned races 4-9. There was a $1 Super Hi 5 carryover of $7,593 in Race 9. … Trainer Eric Reed reported Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike would van from his home base of Mercury Equine Center in Lexington to Churchill Downs early next week. He’s likely to work next weekend. Reed noted that Rich Strike would arrive at Belmont Park shortly thereafter for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (GI) and have a work over the Elmont, N.Y. track. … Best wishes are extended to jockey Adam Beschizza, who will marry racing official Jorie