Churchill Downs To Offer Record 50 Stakes Worth $20.525 Million During Spring Meet

Led by the $3 million GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Sat. May 6, a record 50 stakes races that total $20.525 million will be staged at Churchill Downs Racetrack during the 44-day Spring Meet which spans April 29-July 3.

The lineup features 28 stakes races that received significant boosts–including the GI Stephen Foster which is now worth $1 million–and one new event, the $175,000 Chorleywood Overnight S.

Derby Week kicks off the Spring Meet with 22 stakes that total a record $13.125 million over the six-day stretch that culminates with the highlight of the annual racing calendar–the 149th running of the GI Kentucky Derby. Nine of the 14 races on Kentucky Derby day are stakes that total $7.65 million. In addition to the Derby, the first Saturday in May will showcase the $1 million GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; $750,000 GI Churchill Downs presented by Ford; $750,000 GI Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery; $500,000 GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile; $500,000 GII Pat Day Mile; $500,000 GII American Turf; $500,000 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint; and $175,000 Knicks Go Overnight S.

One day earlier, Churchill Downs will host the $1.25 million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. The seven stakes that day total $4.2 million: the Oaks; $750,000 GI La Troienne; $600,000 GII Alysheba presented by Sentient Jet; $500,000 GII Eight Belles; $500,000 GII Edgewood presented by Forcht Bank; $300,000 GIII Modesty; and $300,000 Unbridled Sidney S. presented by Sysco.

Stephen Foster Preview Day is Saturday, June 3 with six stakes that total $1.35 million: the $225,000 GIII Blame; $225,000 GIII Shawnee; $225,000 GIII Arlington; $225,000 GIII Regret; $225,000 Aristides S.; and $225,000 Audubon S.

The $1 million Stephen Foster, which has been elevated to Grade I status, is the centerpiece of closing weekend. The race anchors a six-race stakes card that totals $2.475 million on Saturday, July 1, and includes the $400,000 GII Fleur de Lis; $400,000 GII Wise Dan; $225,000 American Derby; $225,000 Tepin S.; and $225,000 Kelly's Landing S.

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Julia ‘Shines’ in Demoiselle

Just like her full-sister, champion Malathaat (Curlin), Julia Shining (Curlin) not only won her debut at Keeneland Oct. 16, but did so in 'TDN Rising Star'-fashion. And she followed in her GI Breeders' Cup Distaff-winning sister's hoofprints once again Saturday, capturing the GII Demoiselle S. in the slop at Aqueduct.

Favored just like her sister, albeit at 1-2 instead of 2-5, Julia Shining was even farther back than Malathaat was in her Demoiselle, racing in second last as 37-1 shot Tribal Queen (Bolt d'Oro) clocked opening splits of :24.61 and :49.35. Pushed along by Luis Saez every step of the way while racing off the trail, the Stonestreet homebred still had plenty left to do as three quarters went in 1:14.31. Swung out six wide turning for home, the bay dug deep beneath a vigorous hand ride from Saez, sweeping past Affirmative Lady (Arrogate) and stablemate Gambling Girl (Dialed In) in the final strides to win by a neck. With the win, she earned 10 points towards a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks.

“Clearly she has tons of natural talent and is still putting it all together,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “We knew from her debut that she didn't like the kickback, and you add the sloppy track into that today, so that was our biggest concern was trying to get her into the clear. Unfortunately, the only way to get her into the clear was to go pretty wide, but she's got so much natural stamina that we felt the mile and an eighth was really going to play to her strengths. The only concern I had was she has never run on an off track. The mile and an eighth [was not a concern]. That's what she really is looking for.”

The Hall of Famer continued, “She was clearly not handling things [down the backstretch] and Luis [Saez] was trying to encourage her to improve position and finally did it around the quarter pole. Once she found a rhythm down the lane, she started to close and Luis said she kind of got her head in front and then wanted to wait a little bit.”

Pletcher said Julia Shining would go to Florida, while third-place Gambling Girl would remain in New York this winter.

“The trip was good. She's still learning,” Saez said. “The track was pretty sloppy.”

Asked when the winner found her rhythm, Saez said, “At the top of the stretch, just the top of the stretch. The whole way she was not interested. She doesn't like [the kickback]. I feel like the track was a no, but when everybody started running at the top of the stretch, she just got by and stayed.”

Pedigree Notes:

Julia Shining's ultra-talented sister Malathaat opened her account with five straight wins for Pletcher. She won the Tempted S. in between her debut and the Demoiselle and captured the GI Central Bank Ashland S. en route to a GI Kentucky Oaks win. Malathaat also captured the GI Alabama S. last term and finished third in the Distaff, clinching the Eclipse award for top 3-year-old filly. She will likely take home another championship title this year after three Grade I wins, topped by a gutsy Distaff score last month, after which she was retired to Shadwell's broodmare band.

While Malathaat was sold to Sheikh Hamdan's operation for $1.05 million at KEESEP, Julia Shining was retained by Barbara Banke, just like all of her dam Dreaming of Julia's other foals. The daughter of A.P. Indy had one foal in between the two Curlin fillies, an unnamed 3-year-old colt by Medaglia d'Oro. The 12-year-old mare had a Medaglia d'Oro filly in 2021 and another Curlin filly Apr. 4 of this year. She was bred back to Into Mischief.

Also a Stonestreet homebred trained by Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, regular pilot of Malathaat, Dreaming of Julia captured the GI Frizette S. and GII Gulfstream Oaks. She is a daughter of dual Grade I winner Dream Rush (Wild Rush), who is also the dam of MGSW Dream Pauline (Tapit) and SW Atreides (Medaglia d'Oro).

Julia Shining is the 50th graded winner and 92nd black-type scorer for the mighty Curlin. She is also the 120th graded victor and 254th black-type winner out of a daughter of the late, great A.P. Indy. In addition to Malathaat and Julia Shining, the Curlin/A.P. Indy cross is also responsible for MGISWs Stellar Wind, Clairiere and Nest; and Grade I scorers Global Campaign, Idol and Paris Lights.

Saturday, Aqueduct
DEMOISELLE S.-GII, $250,000, Aqueduct, 12-3, 2yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:53.05, sy.
1–JULIA SHINING, 118, f, 2, by Curlin
       1st Dam: Dreaming of Julia (GISW, $874,500), by A.P. Indy
       2nd Dam: Dream Rush, by Wild Rush
       3rd Dam: Turbo Dream, by Unbridled
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising
   Star' O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred
Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Luis Saez. $137,500.
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $194,075. *Full to Malathaat, Ch.
3yo Filly, MGISW, $3,790,825. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple
Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Affirmative Lady, 118, f, 2, Arrogate–Stiffed, by Stephen Got
Even. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($210,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-AMO Racing
USA; B-Alastar Thoroughbred Co, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham
Motion. $50,000.
3–Gambling Girl, 118, f, 2, Dialed In–Tulipmania, by Empire
Maker. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 Ylg '21 SARAUG).
O-Repole Stable; B-Gallagher's Stud (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
$30,000.
Margins: NK, 3/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 0.55, 7.10, 9.40.
Also Ran: Royal Spa, La Vita Sofia, Foggy Night, Tribal Queen.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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“I’d Like to Keep Training Her,” D. Wayne Lukas on Night of the Stars-Bound Secret Oath

Forty years after his first GI Kentucky Oaks win, D. Wayne Lukas relished his fifth appearance in that winner's circle this year alongside a special filly named Secret Oath (Arrogate – Absinthe Minded, by Quiet American).

“We've celebrated in that winner's circle a number of times already, but this one was a little bit better though, because when you're an old man you often wonder if you're going to get another one–one of those really special ones,” explained Lukas.

The Hall of Fame conditioner known as “The Coach” has a detailed recollection of what transpired immediately after the race on the first Friday in May this year.

As soon as Secret Oath crossed the wire, Lukas led her dazed owners Rob and Stacy Mitchell to the winner's circle. Meanwhile camera crews bolted about frantically to document such an important piece of history and a long line of Lukas's former pupils came forward to congratulate the legendary trainer. Then as soon as the photo was taken, Secret Oath made it known that she had no intention of wearing lilies after her hard-fought win and the garland was promptly removed.

It was chaotic, to say the least, but of course that's how it should be after such a victory.

“It was wild, just like it always is for the Derby or the Oaks,” Lukas said with a knowing smile. “Everybody loses their composure. It was a special day for me to put Rob and Stacy in the winner's circle and let them enjoy something that I had experienced before. They've really tried to raise one of this caliber and sure enough, they got it done.”

A second-generation homebred for the Mitchells' Briland Farm, Secret Oath has taken her owners on the ride of lifetime. In her eight starts this year, the gritty filly has been in the money in all but one of those contest.

After breaking her maiden at two, she began her sophomore season with two straight scores in the Martha Washington S. and GIII Honeybee S. and then ran third in the GI Arkansas Derby–a race that Lukas still considers a definite win had she gotten a different ride. After her Oaks victory, the filly ran a credible fourth in the GI Preakness S. and then placed in three Grade I contests within her own division.

“For the Mitchells, their heart says to keep her forever, but their business sense says that this is a valuable piece of property and whatever she brings is life changing in a lot of ways,” Lukas explained. “You've got to always keep a business sense because it's so easy to fall in love with these horses. I mean, the whole barn is in love with this one. I just hope the next people who get her enjoy her as much as we have and are as successful as we have been, both economically and emotionally.”

Secret Oath will sell as Hip 231 on the 'Night of the Stars' with the Bluewater Sales consignment. Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning said that the buyer of the uniquely-colored chestnut will be taking home a piece of history.

“It's unusual when you have the opportunity to buy the current Kentucky Oaks winner and Secret Oath provides buyers around the world an exceptional opportunity this November,” Browning said. “We all watched the Kentucky Oaks this year.  I think when we look back in history we're going to say it was a tremendous group of fillies, with champion Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) and Nest (Curlin), and Secret Oath defeated them in a very impressive fashion. She's a star on the racetrack and she's a star in the making as a broodmare prospect somewhere down the line.”

Another significant element of Secret Oath's story is that the filly was the first Grade I winner for the late Arrogate, whose abilities as a sire may just now be coming to the limelight (read more on that here).

“You've got what is almost like a historic pedigree here and the opportunities that she presents from a breeding standpoint are really unlimited,” Browning said. “Secret Oath is also out of a mare by Quiet American, who has had a tremendous impact on so many pedigrees of top-class horses that we've seen in the last 25 years.”

Lukas trained Secret Oath's dam, Absinthe Minded, and won several stakes contests with the Briland Farm homebred. The horseman said he believes that Secret Oath has all the potential to follow in her dam's success as a producer.

“The pedigree is there and things should fall into place, but let's not think that far ahead,” said Lukas with a wry grin. “Let's just stay in the moment.”

At the moment, Secret Oath is putting in her final preps for the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. She put in an eye-catching work there on Monday, going five furlongs in a blazing 58.80 over a fast track as she prepares for a rematch with rival Nest, who she had to settle for second behind in her last two outings against the Curlin filly in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Alabama S.

“Nest beat us fair and square, but we've gotten a lot out of that,” Lukas said. “Since then she has had a little break and has put on weight and filled out.  I think she looks better now than she has at any time. To win at Keeneland would be special, but they've all been special. I've had a few successful days in the Breeders Cup' and this one will be very special too, especially when you're 87.”

As Breeders' Cup week approaches, Lukas is confident in his trainee, who has now amassed earnings of over $1.7 million.

Asked what makes Secret Oath a great athlete, he responded, “Her efficiency of motion and her ability to accelerate. She can break their hearts in four strides.”

“One thing about Secret Oath is that she's a ham,” he added. “She will stand and look with her ears locked forward and pose like that for 15 or 20 minutes. You can take her in front of any crowd and into any paddock. Her temperament and her personality really compliment her ability to run.”

The Secret Oath-D. Wayne Lukas duo has been an easy one to cheer for this year and will undoubtedly be a focal point going into Breeders' Cup week.

“It's been a remarkable story to watch the development of Secret Oath as a racehorse and see Wayne back in the limelight as he has had the opportunity to enjoy and train such an exceptional filly,” Browning said. “I think that in many ways, Wayne Lukas has been one of the most influential people in the Thoroughbred sales business. His passion for the game and for his horses is remarkable. He's someone that I admire and respect very much.”

He continued, “I mean, you consider that Wayne is 87 years old and he's on the pony every morning. Try to beat him to the racetrack; it's virtually impossible to do. It's been really neat to watch the success that he's had with Secret Oath so far and hopefully there's more in their future.”

Once the Breeders' Cup has concluded and as Secret Oath prepares to go through the ring at the 'Night of the Stars' Sale, there is one message that Lukas hopes to get across to buyers.

“The only thing that I'd like to change about the whole thing is that if someone buys her, bring her back,” he said. “She's comfortable in her own stall. She's very sound and very efficient. I'd like to keep training her.”

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June 26 Insights: Tapit Colt Out of Havre De Grace Unveiled in New York

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

4th-BEL, $90k, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 2:32p.m. ET
Havre de Grace (Saint Liam)'s fourth foal to the races will be unveiled in this spot in the form of 3-year-old Saint Tapit (Tapit), a full-sibling to GIII Molly Pitcher S. victress Graceful Princess. From four others to race, including a half-brother by War Front, all are winners. The Whisper Hill Farm homebred has a steady line of works for Todd Pletcher, including most recently a four furlong move in :48.81 over the main track June 19. To Saint Tapit's immediate outside is $300,000 KEESEP Juddmonte purchase Mount Craig (Arrogate), bred by W S Farish and in the barn of Bill Mott. Mount Craig claims Good Magic (Curlin) in his female line. Breaking to the far outside of the group will be well-bred Flute Master (Gun Runner), a colt out of a Juddmonte-bred daughter of their GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Flute (Seattle Slew). That one produced MGISP Filimbi (Mizzen Mast) and the dam of GSW Current (Curlin) and GISW Weep No Moe (Mineshaft). Steve Asmussen will send Flute Master to post for owners Almost Heaven Stables. TJCIS PPs

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