Tom’s d’Etat outclasses rivals in Stephen Foster

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tom’s d’Etat posted another dominant victory Saturday, drawing away in the 39th running of the Grade 2, $500,000 Stephen Foster at fan-free Churchill Downs.

It was the fourth straight win and the 11th from 18 starts for Tom’s d’Etat, a 7-year-old horse trained by Al Stall Jr. for the GMB Racing of Gayle Benson. Ridden confidently by Miguel Mena, Tom’s d’Etat won by 4 ¼ lengths and returned $4.60 as favorite in a field of eight older horses.

“He left there on his toes and went on about his business,” said Stall. “He’s an amazing horse, extremely talented. What more can you say? We’re very excited about what’s ahead.”

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With yet another sharp effort, Tom’s d’Etat earned a Win and You’re In berth toward the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. Stall said he would work backward from that race, with the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 1 at Saratoga being a potential next start.

Pirate’s Punch led through the early stages in the 1 1/8-mile Foster, with Tom’s d’Etat and Mena positioned just to his outer flank and poised to strike at any time. Midway through the far turn, Tom’s d’Etat pushed ahead without urging, while By My Standards, the 19-10 second choice following closely in the favorite’s path, was asked to keep up by Corey Lanerie.

Down the stretch, with Lanerie asking By My Standards for his all, Mena gave Tom’s d’Etat little more than a few light shoulder slaps and they romped home.

“He was going along so easy, and I just asked him for his attention a little bit at the top of the lane,” said Mena. “I didn’t even have to really step on the gas.”

By My Standards held well to be second, another 2 3/4 lengths before his Bret Calhoun stablemate Silver Dust in third. The order was completed by Multiplier, Owendale, Fearless, Pirate’s Punch, and Alkhaatam.

Tom’s d’Etat completed 1 1/8 miles in a swift 1:47.30 over a fast track, coming just .02 of a second off the stakes record, set by Victory Gallop in 1999. By comparison, Midnight Bisou went the same distance in 1:48.99 in the previous race, the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis.

For Stall, it was his second Foster win, coming a little more than 10 years after Blame won during a season that ended with a dramatic score over the great Zenyatta in the BC Classic at Churchill. This latest run by Tom’s d’Etat “will set him up to be in good shape for the rest of the year,” Stall said.

“I think he’ll benefit a lot from this race,” said Stall. “We’ve sort of been waiting for this horse to get into form with the breaks in his races, but he’s finally got there. That was a very impressive performance.”

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Mena was on Tom’s d’Etat in place of regular rider Joel Rosario, who was otherwise committed Saturday at Belmont Park. It was Mena’s second Foster victory, following his 36-1 upset on Pool Play in 2011, the last time the Foster was run in daylight hours. Mena has breezed Tom’s d’Etat with regularity.

“I knew it was a lot of fun to ride him in the morning,” said Mena, “but I didn’t realize how much fun he was in the afternoon.”

The $2 exacta (5-6) paid $12, the $1 trifecta (5-6-7) returned $60.80, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-6-7-4) was worth $34.83.

Lanerie was aboard By My Standards in place of Gabriel Saez, who earlier this week began a 30-day suspension stemming from his role in a June 17 spill at Indiana Grand. Saez had sought a stay of the suspension Friday through the Indiana court system but was denied, according to agent Liz Morris.

* Sunday is closing day of the 27-day Churchill spring meet, with all wagering pools subjected to mandatory disbursements. Ellis Park runs July 2-5, followed by a five-day Keeneland meet (July 8-12), then three-day weeks back at Ellis from July 17 to Aug. 30.