Mandaloun looks strong in six-furlong breeze for Stephen Foster
Mandaloun continued his preparations for the upcoming Grade 2, $750,000 Stephen Foster on July 2 at Churchill Downs with a strong six-furlong breeze early Sunday morning. Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols caught the 4-year-old colt in 1:12.40.
Mandaloun, promoted to victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby on the disqualification of Medina Spirit that is still under appeal, has been away from the races since finishing ninth in the Saudi Cup in February - after which his travel back to the U.S. was delayed. He made it back to the U.S. in late March, enjoyed a brief freshening at owner Juddmonte Farm in Kentucky, and eventually returned to the worktab on May 8 at Churchill Downs.
"He’s been doing great training over this track, so it makes sense to target a race like the Foster that is at home," trainer Brad Cox said. "We kept our options open, but this race you don’t have to ship and can run out of your own stall."
Regular jockey Florent Geroux was in the irons for Sunday morning's work after a troubled day of travel himself. Geroux was slated to ride Saturday's card at Monmouth Park, but didn’t make it to the New Jersey track because of several travel delays. He caught an early flight back to Louisville to work Mandaloun when the track opened at 5:30 a.m.
Mandaloun, who galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.80, will have one more easy breeze before the Foster, a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland. The race is one of six stakes on the card, along with the Grade 2, $350,000 Fleur de Lis for fillies and mares and the $160,000 Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes for sprinters, both also on the main track.
The card is also scheduled to include the Grade 2, $350,000 Wise Dan, the $200,000 American Derby, and the $200,000 Tepin on turf. Churchill Downs announced on June 11 that it had suspended turf racing for at least two weeks, with updates pending the condition of the course.