Effinex on the grounds for Stephen Foster

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Effinex, the solid favorite for the Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap on Saturday, arrived here Sunday via the equine charter flight that brought a planeload of Kentucky horses back from New York. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens was scheduled to arrive here later in the week to oversee the horse’s final preparations. Gary Stevens has the mount in place of Mike Smith, who is committed to Songbird on Saturday in the Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita.

Meanwhile, Eagle had his final breeze for the 1 1/8-mile Foster, going a half-mile in 49.60 seconds early Monday at Churchill. Eagle, trained by Neil Howard, figures to be the second wagering choice and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr.

At least six older horses are expected when entries for the Foster are drawn Wednesday. With weights, they are Effinex, 122 pounds; Majestic Harbor, 118; Eagle, 117; International Star, 116; El Kabeir, 115; and Mobile Bay, 115.

The Foster is the centerpiece of a Saturday card that includes four other stakes: the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis, Grade 3 Matt Winn, Grade 2 Wise Dan, and Grade 3 Regret. The 11-race card will start at 6 p.m. Eastern and will include the traditional between-races presentation of the engraved Kentucky Derby trophies to the connections of Nyquist.

This will be the second of three night cards at the spring meet. The first was opening night, April 30, and the other is closing night, July 2.

◗ The third race on the Thursday card will mark the career debut of Warrior’s Club, the 2-year-old colt owned by the Churchill Downs Racing Club. A bullet three-furlong breeze here Sunday was the sixth for the colt since May 5. Warrior’s Club is trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.

The Racing Club is a consortium of 200 fans who paid $500 apiece to become owners. Another 2-year-old, the filly Dial Me, is owned by a second Churchill Downs Racing Club group and is scheduled to debut at the end of the meet for Lukas.

◗ With 27 of 38 days in the books, the meet leaders into Thursday are jockey Corey Lanerie (43 wins), trainer Mark Casse (16), and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey (11).