Fleur de Lis Stakes

Entering the final three furlongs of Saturday's GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis S., a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Oct. 31, it appeared that 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Shred The Gnar (Into Mischief) would win off. But second-choice Immersive (Nyquist) found a second wind coming into the final eighth of a mile to put away the odds-on favorite before holding off a late rally from Regaled (Mohaymen). Off at 8-5 after trading around even-money for a good portion of the...

The 2025 GI Stephen Foster Stakes was a doozy on paper, featuring the previous year's GI Kentucky Derby victor (Mystik Dan), a reigning winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic (Sierra Leone) and a G1 Dubai World Cup hero (Hit Show). The race was ultimately won by Mindframe (Constitution). There is very much a sense of deja vu this weekend for the nine-furlong contest--offering the winner an all-expenses-paid trip to this year's Classic just down the road at Keeneland--as 2025 Horse of the Year and spectacular Kentucky Derby conqueror Sovereignty...

It will be a hugely important weekend for trainer Kenny McPeek as Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will be in action Saturday at Churchill Downs. Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna will be heavy favorite in the GII Fleur De Lis Stakes, while 2024 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan faces a tough assignment in a loaded GI Stephen Foster Stakes. To talk about the two biggest stars in his barn, his hiring of Jimmy Jerkens and even his new tattoo, McPeek was the Gainesway Guest of...

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) breezed a half-mile in a sharp :47.80 (13/90) Friday morning at Churchill Downs in advance of her intended appearance in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes on June 28. The Fleur de Lis is one of a half-dozen stakes on a program that is headed by the $1-million GI Stephen Foster Stakes. Thorpedo Anna, a troubled seventh in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes May 2, took to the track around 7:15 a.m. Friday morning and covered her opening quarter-mile...

Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) returned to the scene of her greatest triumph for Saturday's GII Fleur de Lis S. and came home a winner for the first time since taking this venue's GIII Locust Grove S. in September. It was her sixth win from seven starts at Churchill Downs with one second. The slight second choice behind Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), who defeated her in the GI La Troienne S. May 6, Shedaresthedevil glided up to stalk from second as Super Quick (Super Saver) carved out early splits of :24.13 and :47.83. Turning...

Apparently, trainer Fausto Gutierrez, whose main base is in Mexico, didn't get the memo. Top U.S. horses just don't run back in three weeks or start four times over the span of 85 days. They don't go from track to track and take on all challengers. Owned by St. George Stable, Letruska (Super Saver) is doing what just isn't done anymore. Coming back in three weeks after winning the GI Ogden Phipps S., Letruska romped Saturday at Churchill Downs in the GII Fleur de Lis S., winning by 5 3/4...

Entering this test on the back of a pair of Grade I wins, Letruska (Super Saver) was installed as the overwhelming favorite at 4-5 and more than justified those odds, running an overmatched field off their feet in Churchill's GII Fleur de Lis S. This event was a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in November at Del Mar. Veering right a bit exiting her outside post, Letruska went straight to the front under Jose Ortiz and clocked opening splits of :24.533 and :48.19 with Antoinette...