Valadorna, Farrell looking like big names in Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In the absence of the standout filly Elate, the role of favorite in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs next Saturday likely will now fall to Valadorna or Farrell.

Churchill racing officials had been hoping to attract Elate for her 2018 debut, but the filly’s co-owner Walker Hancock of Claiborne Farm said Friday from Belmont Park the Fleur de Lis “is coming up just a bit too quick for us.”

“I wish it’d been another week later, but that’s the way it goes,” Hancock said. “We’ll probably wait now for the Delaware Handicap” on July 14.

The Grade 2 Fleur de Lis is part of a huge Downs After Dark card anchored by the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap. Both the Foster and Fleur de Lis are Win and You’re In events toward their respective divisional races in the Breeders’ Cup, the $6 million Classic and $2 million Distaff, both on Nov. 3 at Churchill.

Valadorna won the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at Keeneland in her last start, and had her final pre-race breeze Friday at the Lexington, Ky., when going a half-mile in 51 seconds under the supervision of David Carroll, assistant to trainer Mark Casse.

Farrell, a six-time stakes winner from 15 starts, all for Coffeepot Stables and trainer Wayne Catalano, has trained steadily at Churchill since finishing second as the pacesetter in the Grade 1 La Troienne here on May 4. The Malibu Moon filly breezed what Catalano described as “an old-school seven furlongs” in 1:27.20 Thursday.

“We’re all geared up and ready to go,” said Catalano.

The engraved winners’ trophies are being formally presented between races next Saturday to the connections of 2018 Kentucky Derby winner Justify. As of Friday, prior to the running of the Belmont Stakes, it was still too early to determine whether Justify also will be paraded before the crowd next Saturday – as was done here three years ago with American Pharoah after he became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

Here follows a quick look at the prospective lineups for the five Saturday stakes. Weight assignments for the two handicaps were to be released this weekend, with entries for all 11 Saturday races being drawn Wednesday.

Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster: Backyard Heaven, a smashing winner of the Grade 2 Alysheba here on May 4 for Chad Brown, could be a slight favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Foster over Irish War Cry, a last-out winner of the Pimlico Special. Other likely starters from a nominations list of 26 older horses include Patch, Lookin At Lee, Honorable Duty, Hawaakom, and Leofric.

Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur de Lis: Besides Valadorna and Farrell, probable starters in this 1 1/8-mile race include Song of Spring, Fuhriously Kissed, and surely a few more from a nominations list of 20 fillies and mares.

Grade 2, $200,000 Wise Dan: World Approval, the 2017 turf champion, breezed an easy half-mile here Friday in 50.20 seconds for Casse in preparation for this race, his first start since the March 10 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. Among the confirmed opposition for the 6-year-old horse is Parlor, Mr Cub, and Mr. Misunderstood.

Grade 3, $100,000 Matt Winn: Ax Man is under serious consideration by trainer Bob Baffert for this 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and surely would be favored if he goes. Others include Combatant, Quip, and at least a few more.

Grade 3, $100,000 Regret: A sizable field of 3-year-old fillies is expected for this 1 1/8-mile turf race, including Go Google Yourself, Kabella, Secret Message, and Stave.