Huge Grade 1 action in the United States takes place this weekend at Ellis Park, as the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes offer a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This race has been won by five previous horses that have gone on to later land the Classic, and that makes it a compelling race this weekend.
Before Betting On Stephen Foster Stakes
The Stephen Foster Stakes will take place at Ellis Park this year after it was moved from Churchill Downs following a number of fatalities throughout the spring meet. The race will be run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, with horses aged three and older able to take part.
In truth, it is one of the most open Grade 1s that we have seen this season, with cases to be made for all runners involved. Proxy is an incredibly consistent runner for Michael Stidham, and has won once from three starts this season. His latest success was scored in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap in late April, but he was held by Stilleto Boy in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap in March.
Stilleto Boy is a classy operator for Ed Moger Jr, and has won four from 22 starts. However, he rarely finishes outside of the top three. He landed the G1 Santa Anita Handicap earlier this season, and has also finished third in both the G1 Pegasus World Cup and G2 Oaklawn Handicap.
Rattle N Roll could be one of the more progressive contenders this weekend, as the four-year-old has won three from four this season. However, all his victories since turning three have come in Grade 3 company, and he was last seen in higher class fields finishing fourth in the G2 New Orleans Classic.
West Will Power was the winner of that Grade 2, but he could only finish third on his following start in the G2 Alysheba Stakes. Last Samurai was also involved in that race, as he finished back in fourth.
Stephen Foster Stakes Offshore Odds & Pick
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Proxy | 4.00 |
| Smile Happy | 4.00 |
| West Will Power | 4.30 |
| Rattle N Roll | 7.00 |
| Stilleto Boy | 9.50 |
| Speed Bias | 11.00 |
| Last Samurai | 17.00 |
| Happy American | 34.00 |
It is a wide-open contest this weekend, but the preference is for Smile Happy. The four-year-old was back to his best on his previous start, as he landed the G2 Alysheba Stakes in commanding fashion. That form line appears to be the strongest this weekend, and he could still be improving for Kenneth McPeek.
