Churchill Downs: Sierra Leone and Mystik Dan Set for Rematch in the Stephen Foster

After that breathtaking finish in the 2024 Kentucky Derby... It will be this Saturday, with Mindframe and Hit Show as “special guests”

The Unforgettable Finish of the 2024 Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- The 44th edition of the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1)—one of the most anticipated races on the U.S. calendar for older horses—will be contested this Saturday at Churchill Downs, featuring a lucrative purse of $1 million and carrying “Win and You’re In” status for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

The centerpiece of a stellar 12-race card, the day will also include the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), which offers a similar Breeders’ Cup Distaff qualifying berth, along with five other stakes events: the Wise Dan Stakes (G2), Kelly’s Landing Stakes (G3), American Derby, and Tepin Stakes—the latter two listed races.

Scheduled as race 11 at 6:03 p.m. Eastern Time, the Stephen Foster will reunite for the first time since their dramatic photo finish in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1), the rivals Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Mystik Dan (Goldencents)—who crossed the wire separated by mere millimeters on that unforgettable May 4th, with Forever Young (Real Steel) third, also close behind.

Sierra Leone, owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg Ltd., and Brook T. Smith, closed out his 3-year-old season in style with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, establishing himself as one of the world’s premier distance runners. Trained by Chad Brown, he has been training in New York all spring and will ship to Louisville shortly. His regular rider, Flavien Prat, will pilot him from post 4.

Mystik Dan, owned by 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm, returned to winning form with a strong performance in the Blame Stakes (G3)—the Stephen Foster’s prep race—at the same venue. Conditioned by Kenny McPeek, who scored three of his four career wins at Churchill Downs, the colt will be ridden again by Brian Hernandez Jr. from post 5.

From post 2, multiple G1 winner Mindframe (Constitution), representing Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, aims to extend his form while tackling two turns for the first time since his 3-year-old campaign. With a record of four wins and two seconds in six starts, the Todd Pletcher trainee will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Also gearing up for a return is Hit Show, winner of the Dubai World Cup (G1), coming off his landmark victory on April 5 at Meydan. Racing for Wathnan Racing and trained by Brad Cox, the son of Argentine superstar Candy Ride (ARG) will break from post 6 with Florent Geroux aboard.

Cox will also present First Mission, winner of the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and owned by Godolphin, who will start from the inside post with Luis Sáez in the irons. Sáez boasts Argentine bloodlines as well, as his grandmother is champion Forty Marchanta (Roar).

Another notable contender is the veteran Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who recently impressed with wins in the Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita and the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. With José Ortiz riding from post 3, he looks to improve upon his third-place finish in this very race last year.