What’s On Track: Iconic Churchill Downs Leads the Way in a Rich Stakes Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Turn up the Difficulty

Off to a perfect 3-for-3 start to the 2024 campaign, Pyrenees stares down his most daunting challenge to date in Sunday’s $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs.

It’s been a tale of two careers through eight lifetime starts for Pyrenees. Following a four-race winless drought to start his professional voyage, the Cherie DeVaux trainee then rattled off four-straight trips to the winner’s circle, headlined by a Pimlico Special (G3) score last time out (8: 4-1-1 all-time).

The recent hot streak prompted the 4-year-old colt’s connections to test his will against a higher level of competition in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster.

Come Sunday, the Brian Hernandez Jr. mount must contend with multiple graded stakes winners First Mission, Skippylongstocking, and Kingsbarns to become one himself.

Spry as Ever

Nearly 40 races in, Free Like a Girl is still at the top of her game.

The 5-year-old mare with a nose for the podium returns to Churchill Downs for the second time in as many starts for a shot at Sunday’s $500,000 Fleur de Lis (G2).

While Free Like a Girl is no stranger to major career milestones, for example, the $1 million earnings club ($1.6 million), the Chasey Deville-Pomier charge is still in search of her first graded stakes title – though not for a lack of trying.

In seven attempts at the graded tier, Free Like a Girl is 0-4-2. The Corey Lanerie mount’s last two attempts, the La Troienne (second) and Apple Blossom (third) have both been Grade 1 affairs.

If it’s any consolation, the savvy veteran is a remarkable 17-11-6 with 15 stakes triumphs across 39 career starts.

Form = Regained

A get-right stint at the allowance level worked wonders for Exaulted, who followed up a seven-race scoreless streak with four consecutive wins.

The Peter Eurton protégé broke through in a big way in his age 6 season (2023), capturing his first two graded trophies in the American (G3) and Shoemaker Mile (G1), respectively.

Although a second in his most recent performance (Grade 2 Del Mar Mile) put an end to the impressive win rush, the now 7-year-old Exaulted enters the $500,000 Wise Dan (G2T) at Churchill Downs in formidable standing.

Sporting a 5-4-4 record across 16 starts, a win on Saturday would vault the Juan Hernandez mount to within $40,000 of the $1 million lifetime earnings mark.

Crisp and Clean

After a disappointing seventh in last month’s American Turf (G2T), Neat eyes a clean run in the $250,000 Manila (G3T) at Aqueduct.

The 3-year-old colt is hoping his debut at the upstate New York venue goes better than his first romp at Churchill Downs, which resulted in a forgettable trip around the turf.

Before then, however, Neat crossed the finish line ahead of the competition in consecutive stakes.

First, it was a 5 ½-length clearance in the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile on Jan. 27 at Sam Houston. The Rob Atras trainee then followed that up with a gutsy hold by a nose at 13-1 in the Transylvania (G3T) at Keeneland on Apr. 5.

The elusive title of ‘multiple graded stakes winner’ hangs in the balance this Saturday.

Crown Keeper

Reigning Hanshin Stakes champion Zozos finds himself back inside the familiar confines of Churchill Downs with one goal in mind: defend the crown.

The 5-year-old has put together a stellar career through 13 starts on the North American tour, compiling a 7-1-1 record with three stakes scores. Along with last year’s Hanshin, Zozos also paced the field in the Overnight and Ack Ack (G3).

In 2024, his third professional season, the Brad Cox charge is off to an 0-0-1 start. Zozos first and only appearance this calendar year was a third in the Churchill Downs (G1) on May 4.

Entering the Hanshin off another strong performance, the accomplished veteran is well-positioned for a valiant title defense.