Lost in the Fog towers over King's Bishop foes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The $250,000 King's Bishop Stakes is one of three graded races on the undercard for Saturday's 12-race Travers Day program at Saratoga. But the presence of the undefeated 3-year-old sensation Lost in the Fog, and the race's Grade 1 status, puts the seven-furlong King's Bishop in the limelight right alongside the tradition-rich Travers itself.

Lost in the Fog will face six seemingly overmatched rivals in the King's Bishop, which lost some of its luster earlier this week when trainer Nick Zito decided to run Bellamy Road in the Travers. The King's Bishop will be preceeded on the card by the Grade 2, $200,000 Fourstardave Stakes and the Grade 1, $250,000 Hopeful.

Lost in the Fog has achieved star status upon beginning his career with eight consecutive victories, including four in graded stakes. The King's Bishop will mark Lost in the Fog's third visit to New York, his first two trips resulting in victories in the Grade 3 Bay Shore and Grade 2 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup stakes. In his last start, Lost in the Fog cruised to a 7 1/4-length triumph in Calder's Grade 2 Carry Back Stakes.

Lost in the Fog drew post position 3 and was established the 1-5 morning-line favorite in the King's Bishop. He will again be ridden by Russell Baze. His competition, with riders, will be Fusaichi Rock Star (John Velazquez), Social Probation (Calvin Borel), The Daddy (Robby Albarado), Santana Strings (Eibar Coa), Storm Surge (Rafael Bejarano), and Better Than Bonds (Richard Migliore).

"With Bellamy Road out of the race, it puts us in almost a no-win situation," said Lost in the Fog's trainer, Greg Gilchrist. "Anything less than a win will be no good, and even a win probably won't be good enough in the eyes of some people. But right now I wouldn't trade my hand in for anyone else's."

Meanwhile, only five 2-year-old colts were entered for the seven-furlong Hopeful, led by the undefeated and untested Henny Hughes, who has won his first three starts by a combined 24 lengths, including the Grade 2 Saratoga Special by 3 3/4 lengths here earlier in the meet.

Henny Hughes will break from post 4 under Gary Stevens. He could get his first severe challenge from First Samurai, who is also untested. Too Much Bling, Tizzys No Saint, and Winning Minister complete the lineup.

Leroidesanimaux will go off as the starting highweight and favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Fourstardave. A 5-year-old son of Candy Stripes, Leroidesanimaux seeks his seventh straight victory and will be making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Handicap at Santa Anita on March 5. He has trained well for his return for trainer Bobby Frankel.

America Alive, winner of the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, heads the opposition, which also includes Silver Tree, Hotstufanthens-ome, Senor Swinger, and Steel Light.