Untapable prepares for Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Steve Asmussen this week confirmed the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap on June 18 at Churchill Downs as the target for Untapable, a 5-year-old mare on the brink of the $4 million earnings mark. Untapable has been on a steady workout schedule at her home track here while gearing up for the Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile race.

Since finishing fourth in the April 15 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, Untapable has breezed four times at Churchill and figures to have a couple more works leading into the Fleur de Lis.

Since capping her championship 3-year-old season by winning the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita, Untapable has won just once in eight starts. She will be looking to end a six-race losing skein in the Fleur de Lis, which also is the race that trainer Neil Howard is eyeing with Ahh Chocolate, winner of the Falls City here last fall and more recently the Grade 3 duPont Distaff on Preakness weekend at Pimlico.

“I thought it was a really, really good effort from her last week,” said Howard.

The Fleur de Lis is part of a big Saturday night card June 18, highlighted by the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap. The $500,000 Foster is coming together with an excellent field headed by Effinex, who has been working steadily at Belmont Park for Jimmy Jerkens. Howard also has a probable starter in Eagle, most recently second in the Grade 2 Alysheba to Majestic Harbor, another Foster probable.

Three other graded stakes will be run that night: the Grade 2 Wise Dan, Grade 3 Matt Winn, and Grade 3 Regret.

Dothraki Queen was fourth in the Black-Eyed Susan on dirt at Pimlico, and will switch back to grass by running in the Regret, trainer Ken McPeek said. Gun Runner, third in the Kentucky Derby, is pointing to the Matt Winn as a prep for the July 31 Haskell at Monmouth Park.