Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan Set for Rematch in $1 Million Stephen Foster

LOUISVILLE, KY – The summer spotlight turns to Churchill Downs next Saturday, where a blockbuster renewal of the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) will bring together a loaded field of North America’s top older horses. Headlining the 44th running of the 1 1/8-mile event are Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone and Kentucky Derby 150 champion Mystik Dan, who will face off for the first time since their photo finish duel under the Twin Spires in May 2024.

Joining the marquee names are Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Hit Show, G1-winning sprinter Mindframe, and consistent graded stakes players First Mission and Skippylongstocking. The Stephen Foster is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series, offering the winner an automatic berth into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 1.

Trained by Chad Brown, Sierra Leone capped off his 3-year-old campaign in style with a decisive Breeders’ Cup Classic victory at Del Mar and has been prepping for his 4-year-old debut at Brown’s New York base. Regular rider Flavien Prat will be aboard from post 4.

Mystik Dan, who famously edged out Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a nose in the 150th Kentucky Derby, returned to top form with a solid win in last month’s Blame Stakes (G3) over this track. Trainer Kenny McPeek has enlisted regular jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who will pilot the colt from post 5.

Mindframe, trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, has won four of six starts and most recently captured the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Derby Day. The son of Constitution will stretch out around two turns for the first time in over a year and breaks from post 2 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.

Fresh off his $12 million Dubai World Cup triumph, Hit Show returns stateside for trainer Brad Cox and Wathnan Racing. The versatile 5-year-old, also a multiple Grade 2 winner, drew post 6 under regular rider Florent Geroux.

Cox will also send out First Mission, a sharp winner of the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in April for Godolphin. He’ll break from the rail under Luis Saez. Another strong contender is Skippylongstocking, who captured the Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita and Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs this year for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. He’ll be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 3.

Rounding out the field is Ashcroft, a longshot trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Julien Leparoux.

Stephen Foster Field (by post position):

1. First Mission – Luis Saez, Brad Cox
2. Mindframe – Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher
3. Skippylongstocking – Jose Ortiz, Saffie Joseph Jr.
4. Sierra Leone – Flavien Prat, Chad Brown
5. Mystik Dan – Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek
6. Hit Show – Florent Geroux, Brad Cox
7. Ashcroft – Julien Leparoux, D. Wayne Lukas

Post time for the Stephen Foster is set for 6:03 p.m. ET as Race 11 on a stacked 12-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m.

Supporting Saturday’s feature is the 50th running of the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), another Breeders’ Cup Challenge race pointing to the Distaff, headlined by reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. Also on tap: the $500,000 Wise Dan (G2), the $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (G3), and a pair of $250,000 Listed events — the American Derby and Tepin Stakes. Bettors will also have a chance to play a special $3 All-Turf Pick 3 spanning the three grass stakes (Races 8-10), featuring a low 15% takeout.

Fans can catch all the action live and wager via TwinSpires.com, the official betting platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated.