Lucky Seven Stables' multiple graded stakes winner Smile Happy continues his preparation toward the July 1, $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (Grade 1) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming and will likely face a field of nine rivals, according to racing officials. The Stephen Foster winner will earn an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic this fall at Santa Anita.
Run at 1 1/8 miles, Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events July 1 at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), the $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), the $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed), and the $225,000 Tepin. Entries for all of those races will be drawn Saturday. Here are the probable entrants, according to the Ellis Park Racing Office:
The Stephen Foster: Call Me Fast (trainer Michael Puhich); Happy American (Neil Pessin); Last Samurai (D. Wayne Lukas); Promise Keeper (Dallas Stewart); Proxy (Mike Stidham); Rattle N Roll (Kenny McPeek); Smile Happy (Kenny McPeek); Speed Bias (Ron Moquett); Stilleto Boy (Ed Moger Jr.); West Will Power (Brad Cox)
The $400,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares 4-year-old and up: A Mo Reay (Brad Cox); Bellamore (Simon Callaghan); Heartyconstitution (Joe Sharp); Moon Swag (Brendan Walsh); Sixtythreecaliber (Tom Amoss).
The $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), run at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 4-year-olds and up: Camp Hope (Kenny McPeek); Set Piece (GB) (Brad Cox); Tut's Revenge (Shea Stuart).
The 108th running of the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), run at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-year-olds: Desert Highway (Jerry Antonuik); Mo Stash (Vicki Oliver); Wadsworth (Brad Cox).
The 13th running of the $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed), run at 6 ½ furlongs for 3-year-olds and up: Bango (Greg Foley); Happy Jack (Doug O'Neill); Hesmyhoneybadger (Tom Amoss); Miles Ahead (Paul McGee); Pro Oxidant (Eddie Kenneally); Surveillance (Keith Desormeaux).
The 4th running of the $225,000 Tepin, run at one-mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies: Bling (Vicki Oliver); Girl Named Charlie (Tom Amoss); Heavenly Sunday (Brad Cox); Metaphysical (Jeff Hiles); Safeen (Eddie Kenneally); Santa Fe Gold (Bret Calhoun); Wonderfull Lady (FR) (Brendan Walsh); Xigera (Phil Bauer).
The Stephen Foster will be the first Grade 1 ever run at Ellis Park. General Admission is free but fans who wish to purchase upgraded seats can do so at www.ellisparkracing.com.
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